edwardian synthesis by TEAM 8 SWAG

Violence as retribution is always immoral because, once humans throw away justice and ignore the value of one’s life; they lose the morality which makes them civilized. However, the propaganda tries to suggest that brutal violence in war is amoral because something cannot be considered immoral if both sides act in that manner. Morality is simply thrown out the window when humans fight each other. Winning a war is not about morality; it is about survival. During World War I, a major event during the Edwardian Era, this concept became more apparent. Even among those trying to convey “peace and love”; violence was everywhere. Propaganda used this violent retribution to drive men’s desire to join the army. Many joined for the thrill and also because if they joined, they were courageous and brave. But did this war make retribution amoral? We believe that even though World War I was used to stop much terrorism, it is still immoral rather than amoral, because although the Germany was taken down many innocent people’s lives were lost, including most Germans. However, we also believe that if violence was only used against one that was immoral then the act is now amoral.

Most artists (poets) expressed their hatred towards the war through poetry, displaying the dangers of the war and immorality of using violence as retribution. Although most viewed the war as immoral, some believed it to be heroic. For example, the poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae displays the courageous aspect of war. The poems talks about soldiers dying on the battle field and they are audacious and daring men sacrificing themselves for the good of the country and getting society a step closer to peace on earth. Basically, according to McCrae, violence is okay as long as it gets us to a common goal of peace; and those who die are always honorable and did what was right.

During the Edwardian Era, conflicts rose about the globe and violence as retribution was brought into society. Even though majority of the human population was involved in war, it still doesn’t justify the violent retribution. Violence as retribution is almost always immoral.