Imagine for a moment a world without war and hatred; a peaceful union of people with a broad spectrum of beliefs. Pacifism has proven to be a great success for millions of individuals and for several nations. Gandhi was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader during the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of satyagraha. This is defined as resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly grounded in ahmisa, or total nonviolence. This concept helped India gain independence and inspired civil rights and freedom movements around the world. Pacifism also proved successful for the Quakers who settled in the New World and later helped with the Underground Railroad that freed slaves during the American Civil War. Pacifism is defined as opposition to war or violence of any kind, the refusal to engage in military activities because of one's principles or beliefs, or the principle or policy that differences between nations should be resolved without resort to war (Dictionary.com). Sweden remained neutral during World War II, even geographically. Why couldn't other nations? Some nations are said to have united so close to the end that they were considered “just for show.” The nations of the world as a whole are more war-loving than peaceful; However, with the success of the peace movement in India, why is pacifism not exercised more intensively? Pacifism opens many doors to peaceful agreements. Ask yourself: do we really need war? While in some cases there is no choice but to defend our country, in most cases, as with commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is no terrible reason. America remains in these nations primarily to stimulate the economy. There are huge amounts of money made by individual people... middle of paper... while a country from another hemisphere was implicated. The war is now being fought because a terrorist group centralized in a totalitarian government society is suspected of attacking the country through the events of September 11th. Suspicion, inaction, murder and intolerance have caused this nation's wars. Peace and pacifism are safe alternatives. With so much war it is surprising that a green planet still exists. It is surprising that each nation did not unleash its nuclear forces against each other. It's the testosterone-filled boys playing with weapons that have nations at each other's throats. Pacifism is the intelligent alternative for those with self-control and an open mind to unconventional methods and theories. It is not for the weak and requires well-educated individuals as followers; revolutionaries seeking change without gunpowder and grenades.