All Wars Are Defensive from the Perspective of Participants

Every Human Behavior Is Tied to Perceived Feeling of Survival Threat

When Hitler’s tanks rolled into Poland in 1939, Nazi propaganda framed the invasion as self-defense against a looming Polish threat. That claim seems absurd in hindsight, yet it reveals something deeply human: across history and daily life, both aggressors and defenders tend to see themselves as acting in self-defense. From ancient battles to modern arguments, we’re wired to protect ourselves, our groups, or our ideals—even when we strike first. This article unpacks that pattern not to excuse violence, but to understand why conflict keeps repeating. We’ll walk through wars—World War II, the Cold War, and the Crusades—then zoom into everyday disputes, from family arguments to Twitter fights. The goal: to help us rethink how we respond to conflict today.

Historical Case Studies of Reasons Behind Wars

World War II (Nazis)

The Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939 is a stark case of aggression wrapped in a defensive story. Nazi leaders claimed they were shielding Germany from collapse and threats posed by Jews, communists, and neighboring states. The idea of Lebensraum—securing “living space” for Germans—was pitched as survival. Propaganda backed it up: radio broadcasts and films painted Germany as a victim, even fabricating a fake Polish assault in the Gleiwitz incident to justify the attack. History sees this as blatant aggression, but inside Germany, many believed they were acting out of necessity.

Cold War (US vs. USSR)

The Cold War was a prolonged standoff where both the US and USSR saw themselves as acting defensively. Military buildups, spying, and proxy wars were framed as protection. Take the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962: the US saw Soviet missiles in Cuba as a threat and set up a naval blockade. The USSR saw the missiles as defense—especially after US missiles showed up in Turkey. Both sides used the logic of mutually assured destruction (MAD) to justify stockpiling nukes. In proxy wars like Vietnam and Afghanistan, each superpower believed it was holding the line for its way of life. Both saw themselves as defenders.

The Crusades

In the Crusades, both Christians and Muslims fought under the banner of defense. In 1095, Pope Urban II called on Christians to “defend” Jerusalem from Muslim control, sparking the First Crusade. Muslim leaders like Nur ad-Din and Saladin rallied to defend Islam and reclaim holy lands. Religious leaders on both sides used sermons, speeches, and poetry to cast these wars as existential. That mutual sense of threat and duty made the conflict last for centuries.

Across centuries, cultures, and ideologies, the pattern holds: people justify war as defense. Evolution trained us to react to threats—real or imagined. Some leaders exploit this for power, but even then, many people believe the defensive story. That belief keeps conflict going.

This Is the Same in Everyday Life Conflicts

Personal Disputes

This survival instinct isn’t just for war zones. It shows up at home too. Picture a couple arguing over chores. One feels underappreciated. The other feels unfairly judged. Both go into defense mode. What started as a simple disagreement turns into a standoff. Why? Because the brain reads criticism like a threat. When you stop and ask what each person is trying to protect, it can shift the whole conversation.

Narcissism

Narcissists offer another example. Even minor feedback can feel like an attack on their self-image, triggering blame or anger. Say a coworker gets called out for missing a deadline. Instead of owning it, they accuse others of setting them up. They’re not just being difficult—they’re protecting their sense of competence. The same instinct that fuels national pride can play out in an office. Seeing that doesn’t excuse the behavior, but it helps explain it.

Group Dynamics

Things get louder online. Social media fuels group conflict by making people feel like they’re defending their tribe. Debates on climate change, for example, often spiral because each side thinks it’s protecting core values—truth, freedom, identity. These fights aren’t about facts. They’re about who we are and what we fear losing. And that makes them feel urgent and high-stakes, just like war.

All these everyday conflicts mirror the same survival wiring behind wars. Whether it’s a fight with a spouse, a narcissist’s meltdown, or a Twitter feud, we’re often defending something that feels essential—our self-image, our beliefs, our sense of fairness. That’s why these insights matter beyond history.

Conclusion

From Nazi invasions to Cold War brinksmanship to centuries of religious wars, people involved often saw themselves as defending what mattered most. Today, that same mindset plays out in our relationships, our politics, and even our tweets. The rivalry between the US and China over tech? Both sides claim to be protecting their way of life. Cultural clashes in democracies? People feel they’re defending freedom or justice.

Seeing conflict through this lens changes how we respond. In diplomacy, it’s what allowed Cold War leaders to negotiate instead of escalate. In daily life, it can help us de-escalate by asking: What are we each protecting here?

That one question can turn conflict into connection.