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War-weariness is thepublic or political disapproval for the continuation of a prolonged conflict orwar. The causes normally involve the intensity ofcasualties—financial,civilian, andmilitary. It also occurs when a belligerent has the ability to leave the conflict easily but continues to stay. War-weariness normally leads to a distrust ingovernment or military leadership and can spark protest andanti-war movements. It can also be fueled when a belligerent is found guilty ofwar crimes, which can create domestic and international backlash. Rates of enlistment and themorale of the armed-forces are often affected by war-weariness.
It has relevance for war initiation but less so for war involvement.[1]
In 1988'sThe Causes of War, Australian historianGeoffrey Blainey argues, "If war-weariness was one of the spokes inMr. Neville Chamberlain's umbrella ofappeasement, and if it was one of the Anglo-French attitudes which fed Hitler's confidence, it cannot be called a peaceful influence".[2] Even so, Blainey concludes, "War-weariness in a nation often promotes peace and war-fever promotes war, but there have been notable instances where war-weariness promoted war".[2]
War-weariness is less likely to appear inmilitary dictatorships, especially those with heavy propaganda and censorship. According toImmanuel Kant, democratic nations have a better chance of having unpopular news of the war reach the masses, which increases their chance and level of war-weariness.[3]
