And then there are hidden causes, ulterior motives buried beneath patriotism or hidden beneath a genuine and righteous cause. Unfortunately, war is seen by some as an opportunity. For some, it is an opportunity of riches, others see it as a an opportunity to enlarge one's power base. And some see it as a chance for glory. The innocent, the pure in heart, oft lose their way.
Generals see opportunity to train the troops and earn glory.
Officers and other combatants see the chance to become heroes. War becomes as an excuse to vent pent up rages on others. Their corruption lies just beneath the velvet coverlets of truth. Somewhere in time, the justness of the cause becomes lost in the morass of politics and conflicted interests. And far too often, the collective consciousness of a nation becomes corrupted with its own secret desires and ulterior motives.