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Catch-All/Student Discussion Questions

War’s Unifying Effects

When watching the film Saving Private Ryan, I found myself struck by how realistic the horrific depictions of battles in World War II were. There were multiple parts of the movie in which I found myself turning away because they were so gruesome. These aspects of the movie led me to consider the idea that war creates unity among people. It creates a national identity and provides an enemy into which the nation can channel their energy. This is seen in various scenes in the film when Miller and his men meet other American soldiers. There is an immediate sense of trust and brotherhood because they are all fighting for the same cause. However, I find this notion to be contradictory in a variety of ways. While I concede that war does enforce a common goal for the whole, it seems rather absurd that the mass amounts of death and pain that is endured throughout a war are necessary to create a national identity and nationalism. An enemy or an “other” is what Huntington says is needed for a nation to unite, and this is most easily achieved through war. As can be seen in current times, when America does not have an exterior enemy, they turn to inner conflict which ruptures nationalism and national identity. I feel that it is imperative for a nation to unite over other issues that do not include war considering the devastating effects. It seems extreme that war would be the only way that a nation could come together. 

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