Plymouth Plantation Dbq

“When is it lawful to declare war on one's enemies?” This is probably the most critical question that arises when examining the extensive topic of warefare. Moreover, this question is one that nearly every generation has, and will most likely need to address. The Pilgrims during the time of The Plymouth Plantation were required to make these types of determinations in their day. Likewise, we are required to make these ultimatums too. Are preemptive strikes allowable? The aforementioned and similar argumentative scenarios arise during difficult times and when under pressure. Nevertheless, we must determine when it is lawful to declare war on one's adversaries! To do so, we are going to examine the Pilgrims, our Cultures, and finally, Scripture's

response to this inquiry.

When the Pilgrims arrived in the New World, they faced many forms tribulations and distress.

The Pequots were a warlike tribe of Indians who attempted to covertly gain control of all the Indians in the New England territory. Obviously, they posed quite a problem for the colonists. Initially, they attempted to compromise with a peace treaty. The Indian tribe accepted the treaty that put in place guidelines that had to be met. Of course, it wasn't long afterwards, that said tribe starting assaulting the pilgrims. The Pequot tribe killed two important figures at the time and slaughtered the armed expedition sent out by the (Massachusetts Bay Colony) in response to these assassinations. Furthermore, the Pequot's sought to convince the Narragansetts to attack the pilgrims. Thus, the colonists didn't have any choice but to take up arms and defend their women and

children.

The United States has participated in both major and minor scale battles since its establishment. Our nation was built on the blood and tears of war. As a nation, we pride ourselves on our accomplishments and military prowess. On September 11, 2001, two planes filled with frantic, crazed passengers were flown right into the Twin Towers, one after the other. Another crashed near the Pentagon. Ultimately, the havoc wreaked was a direct attack on American soil. People died that day! In response to the infuriating atrocity, the US government declared war on Afghanistan. Based on both the destruction of the twin towers and the Taliban regime, war seemed the right action to take. That was in 2001. How about the War on Iraq in 2003? The war on Iraq was a “preemptive war”. Apparently, the Iraqis were developing “weapons of mass destruction”. As such, the US government regarded the event as a threat not only to its citizens, but also to its many allies. Now we are waging war against a Muslim Jihad group, called ISIS. Several weeks ago, they killed two American reporters and video taped the assassination. As the video clip circulated the Internet, many cowered in fear while others seethed with anger. Muslim Jihad's declare war on everyone who is not Muslim. In response to the death of two American and the threat of larger scale violence and fear, we sent missile strikes and armed ally Syrians. It is also true that we have lied and cheated our way into war for selfish purposes.

When we probe the Scriptures for an answer to “When is just to declare war on one's enemies”, there are several passages that we can direct our thoughts towards. The laws in Deuteronomy assume that it is lawful to declare war in certain circumstances. One of the criteria, is self-defense. The Israelites needed to defend several times against attackers. (cf. Ex. 22:2-4; Deut. 20:1ff; Rom. 13:5). What justification motivated Abraham and Joshua to declare war in these passages and what principles can we gain from them? (Passages: Gen. 14; Josh. 10:1-11; Ps. 15:4). In each of these instances, both men waged war based on covenantal commitments. They went to war to rescue and/or free their allies. The Psalmist supports the notion that when we make an alliance with a person or nation, we are obligated to honor that oath whether or not it may hurt us in the process. The Proverbs (24 & 31) seem to promote the idea that it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak from oppression and imminent death. Of course, there are some who will take that principle to the extreme. Someone somewhere is always getting hurt or doing evil. Thus, we should always be at war. Of course, we know that such an argument is a misuse of the proverb.

Utilizing the precepts gained from scripture we can officially answer the question: “When is it just to declare war on one's oppressors?” Consequently, three criteria must be met in order to declare war: 1.) When a nation has been assaulted by another.

2.) When allied nations are under attack. And 3.) When a more vulnerable or weaker nation is being thrown about and taken advantage of by another. Given these guidelines we can now make judgments on every single war in history as long as we understand their background. War is not a dazzling allurement. It is a horrific affair. Serious consideration should be taken before we jeopardize the lives and welfare of many precious souls. An interesting quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower gives us a unique look into the mind of one who experienced war in its fullest. Here is what he said: “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. This is not a way of life at all in any true sense. Under the clouds of war, it is humanity hanging on a cross of

iron.”