Dan Snow's History Hit - Episode: "Why Do Humans Wage War?"
Release Date: February 28, 2025
In this compelling episode of Dan Snow's History Hit, host Dan Snow delves into one of humanity’s most enduring and troubling questions: Why do humans wage war? Joined by the esteemed military historian Professor Richard Overy, the discussion traverses the depths of history, anthropology, biology, and psychology to unravel the complex motivations behind organized violence. This episode not only examines the ancient battles that set the stage for modern warfare but also draws poignant parallels to contemporary conflicts, offering listeners a profound understanding of the persistent prevalence of war in human society.
1. The Historical Roots of War
Dan Snow opens the conversation by recounting one of history's earliest recorded battles—the Battle of Megiddo (1457 BC). He paints a vivid picture of Pharaoh Thutmose III leading his forces to victory, only to falter due to looting, allowing defeated enemies to organize a prolonged siege. This narrative serves as a foundation for exploring the relentless cycle of conflict throughout human history.
Notable Quote:
"It's the first battle in human history for which we have a sort of reasonably reliable account... It was fought, we think, in 1457 BC."
— Dan Snow [00:56]
Professor Richard Overy concurs, emphasizing that warfare has been a persistent element long before the rise of modern states. He argues that collective violence likely emerged as a means to protect resources and ensure community survival, suggesting that the roots of war extend deep into our evolutionary past.
Notable Quote:
"It seems implausible that human communities of hunter foragers from 100,000 years ago didn't find at certain points a need for collective violence to protect their food supplies."
— Professor Richard Overy [06:09]
2. The Role of Resources in War
A central theme of the episode revolves around resources as a primary driver of conflict. Both Snow and Overy highlight how the competition for finite resources—from agricultural land in ancient Egypt to oil in the modern era—has consistently fueled wars.
Dan Snow draws parallels between ancient resource-driven conflicts and current events, such as the struggles in Ukraine, Congo, and Myanmar, underscoring the timelessness of resource scarcity as a catalyst for war.
Notable Quote:
"Resource wars are going to be a feature of the 21st century as well."
— Professor Richard Overy [17:03]
Professor Overy elaborates by referencing historical figures like Adolf Hitler, who sought "living space" to secure resources necessary for his envisioned superpower status. He predicts that as the global population continues to grow, resource-driven conflicts are unlikely to abate.
3. Belief and Ideology as Drivers of War
While resources play a significant role, belief and ideology also emerge as potent motivators for conflict. The discussion explores how religious fervor, colonial ideologies, and political doctrines have historically instigated wars that transcend mere resource acquisition.
Dan Snow introduces the idea that belief systems often serve as sophisticated justifications for deeper, underlying motives. He suggests that ideologies can legitimize conquests and motivate entire societies to engage in war.
Notable Quote:
"Belief can become important for itself and indeed for early societies it certainly was where they animated by a cosmology that we often don't now understand or know about."
— Professor Richard Overy [21:47]
Professor Overy counters the notion that belief is merely a façade for economic motives, asserting that belief can independently drive societies to war. He cites examples such as the Crusades and modern jihad, where religious motivations were genuine catalysts for prolonged conflicts.
4. Power Ambitions and Warfare
Another critical driver discussed is the pursuit of power for its own sake. Snow and Overy examine how ambitious leaders like Alexander the Great, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Adolf Hitler harnessed warfare to expand their dominions, often prioritizing power over pragmatic considerations.
Notable Quote:
"Power is usually power for something... But there are plenty of examples in history... to extend power for its own sake."
— Professor Richard Overy [25:17]
Professor Overy warns of the unpredictable nature of power-driven wars, highlighting the unforeseen consequences that can arise when leaders prioritize expanding influence without regard to stability. He underscores the danger of individual ambition in orchestrating large-scale conflicts, a theme resonant with current global tensions.
5. Security and Neighboring Conflicts
The episode also explores how security concerns and neighboring relations frequently precipitate wars. Snow and Overy discuss how frontiers have historically been tinderboxes for conflict, with disputes over territorial boundaries leading to numerous wars.
Notable Quote:
"Almost all the wars of the last 300 years have actually been between neighbors."
— Professor Richard Overy [31:05]
Professor Overy emphasizes that frontier disputes are enduring sources of tension, whether in historical contexts or contemporary geopolitical scenarios like Kashmir or the India-China border conflicts. He posits that mass migration, population growth, and climate change in the 21st century may further exacerbate these security-related conflicts.
6. The Persistence of War: Reflections and Conclusions
Concluding the episode, Professor Overy expresses a somber outlook on the future of warfare. Despite advancements in understanding the causes of war, he laments that this knowledge has not translated into effective prevention. He underscores a fatalistic view that the human propensity for war is deeply ingrained and unlikely to diminish, given the complex interplay of resources, belief, power, and security.
Notable Quote:
"The human condition means that we reach for war at certain points when we feel that it's advantageous or necessary. And that's not going away."
— Professor Richard Overy [34:44]
Dan Snow reflects on the unsettling truth that individual leaders can still ignite massive conflicts, drawing comparisons to historical figures like Hitler. He underscores the vulnerability of modern societies to the ambitions of powerful individuals, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance.
Key Takeaways
- War is an intrinsic aspect of human history, likely rooted in our evolutionary past as a means for resource protection and survival.
- Resource scarcity remains a primary driver of conflict, from ancient battles to modern-day wars over oil and agricultural land.
- Belief systems and ideologies can independently motivate societies to engage in warfare, beyond just economic or resource-driven motives.
- Ambitious leaders often use warfare as a tool to expand power, with unpredictable and sometimes devastating consequences.
- Security and frontier disputes are persistent sources of conflict, exacerbated by contemporary challenges like migration and climate change.
- Understanding the causes of war has not prevented its occurrence, highlighting the deep-seated nature of human propensity for conflict.
About the Contributor
Professor Richard Overy is an honorary research professor of history at the University of Exeter and one of the foremost military historians. His insights into the origins and motivations behind warfare provide a nuanced perspective that bridges multiple disciplines, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of why wars erupt and persist throughout human history.
For those interested in further exploring the themes discussed, Professor Overy's book, "Why War," delves deeper into the conversation originally sparked by Einstein and Freud in 1932, reaffirming the episode's central questions a century later.
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