America Quote by Colin Ward
“American strategists have calculated the proportion of civilians killed in this century's major wars. In the First World War, 5 percent of those killed were civilians, in the Second World War 48 percent, while in a Third World War 90-95 percent would be civilians.”
About This Quote
War has increasingly targeted civilians, showing a rise in collateral damage over time.
In simple terms: Modern wars kill more civilians.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the human cost of conflict.
Themes
war
civilian casualties
ethics
history
humanitarian
Mood
somber
urgent
informative
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- humanitarian aid
- media reporting
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
collateral damage
military strategy
international law
Questions to Reflect On
- What ethical responsibilities do combatants have to protect civilians?
- How can international law reduce civilian harm?
A Different Perspective
Civilian deaths often result from strategic choices, not just accidents.
![“I would wager that the number of civilians that were killed [in] a typical week under Saddam Hussein was probably more than we killed during the weeks we were at war there.” quote by Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/40c/bill-maher-211_civilians_i-would-wager-that-the-number-of-civilia_3067117.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
