The World Wars and global Rivalries as the Foundation of Progress in Today’s Powerful Nations (Part One)
Preface:
Since the dawn of human presence on the planet called Earth, humanity has always experienced ups and downs. These fluctuations stem from various causes and factors rooted in human nature itself. Allah Almighty created human beings with an innate inclination towards leadership, civilization, progress, warfare, love, and other human needs. Undoubtedly, throughout human history, dominance and governance over others have primarily been based on power—whether material or spiritual—which rendered others submissive. Similarly, nations and global powers have seized power through warfare, which is why, in Islamic culture, the fundamental interaction with disbelievers is war, not permanent peace, and treaties with disbelievers are temporary. However, ever since Muslims abandoned jihad, they have become the most humiliated people on Earth. All over the world, like caged chickens, they are being slaughtered by the Jews, Christians (Western democrats), and communists, while their natural resources are looted and their sacred values are insulted. All of this is due to the abandonment of jihad, and no Islamic state is seen to be at war with the forces of tyranny.
Abstract
If we pay close attention, we will realize that the growth, progress, and attainment of world power have always been achieved through war. This is why Islam spread and became a global power through jihad. Later, when Britain launched wars, it became a dominant power. Similarly, when communism began waging wars, it emerged as one of the major global powers. Even today, the United States, by engaging in wars, remains among the most powerful countries. Even a group of people from various parts of the world, under the name of Jews, came together, settled in the Levant, entrenched themselves within enemy territories, and were supported by them—today, they have become a power.
Keywords: World Wars, Rivalries, World History, International Relations
If we deeply examine world history, we find that the countries that have led the world in science, technology, and power are those that have been engaged in international political rivalries—particularly military competition—with other nations. This is especially true for states with independent ideologies or those influenced by a specific ideology. This is an undeniable truth: progress does not occur without competition. Military rivalries and physical conflicts among nations lead to scientific advancements and technological research within those regions.
For instance, if we look at the history of Japan, we see that the country was governed by two groups: the Daimyo (influential lords) and the Shoguns (warriors), who ruled Japan from the 12th to the 19th century. During this time, Japan remained poor and backward, often in worse condition than other nations. However, in the second half of the 19th century, changes occurred in Japan’s history. At that time, Russia began pressuring Japanese territories such as Manchuria, Peking, and Sakhalin, intending to occupy them, while China also engaged in war with Japan over Korea.
These events made Japan focus on external issues and reorganize its internal affairs. As a result, power was taken from the Shoguns, and a people’s government was declared. Comprehensive reforms were made in Japan’s economic, administrative, social, and judicial systems. Traditional customs hindering the country’s progress were abandoned, and to stand against foreign powers, the Japanese people turned toward science and technology, taking serious steps in both economic and military fields.
Thus, by 1898, Japan had become strong enough to nullify several “unequal treaties” with powerful nations and demand equal rights—demonstrating Japan’s new global status and power.
Eventually, Japan, with its growing strength, entered into war with China over Manchuria and Korea in 1894, and with Russia in 1904. The war with China marked Japan’s emergence as the first modern Eastern empire, and the war with Russia proved that an Eastern power could defeat a major Western force. Japan ultimately gained control over the disputed territories.
In 1902, Japan signed a defensive alliance with Britain called the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, aimed at countering German and Russian threats. Later, Japan entered World War I on Britain’s side, attacking German military bases in China and eventually deploying its forces to the Mediterranean in 1917. Although Japan’s role in World War I was limited to attacking German bases in its colonies, this allowed Japan to expand its influence in Asia and parts of the Pacific.
In summary, World War I proved to be a great opportunity for Japan. In 1919, Japan participated in the Paris Peace Conference as one of the world’s strongest and most powerful nations militarily and industrially and was officially recognized as one of the “Big Five” powers globally.
However, during World War II, the Axis powers suffered enormous losses, especially Japan, which lost all its territories and saw its cities—Hiroshima and Nagasaki—completely destroyed by atomic bombs dropped by President Truman. The devastating effects of these attacks are still felt in Japan today.
Nevertheless, in 1960, Japan managed to rise from the ashes of World War II and resume its international competition. Between 1955 and 1961, Japan’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached 91 billion US dollars. This period laid the foundation for Japan’s economic leap, known as the “Japanese Economic Miracle,” which led to remarkable economic growth. By 1980, Japan’s GDP had risen to 1.065 trillion US dollars.
This massive income was invested under the leadership of Prime Minister Ikeda, former Minister of International Trade and Industry, in infrastructure projects such as highways, dams, high-speed railways, modern sidewalks, airports, and more. These initiatives placed Japan second only to the United States in global rankings in economy, trade, science, and technology—and it still holds this position today, leading the world in science and technology.
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