A Way of Responding to Conflict: Examples in History

Conflict is an unavoidable part of life, but through our actions, speech, and thoughts, we are able to manage the situation in the best way possible. One example of someone who dealt with conflict well is Anne Frank, the author of the book A Diary of a Young Girl. Anne Frank was a Jewish victim of the Holocaust who was forced to live in hiding. Another example is Winston Churchill, who displayed his ability to manage conflict through his speech, “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat”. Elie Wiesel, a survivor of the Holocaust and Nobel Prize winner also responded to conflict in an effective way which was demonstrated through his Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech. These individuals were able to face their conflicts using, positivity, determination, and passion.

Anne Frank was a young girl living in hiding from the Nazis in a secret annex located Amsterdam, Holland. During her time in hiding, she kept a diary about her life and used positivity to cope with her conflict. For instance, when Anne writes, “Think of all the beauty that’s still left in and around you and be happy” it demonstrates how Anne focused on the good rather than the bad. Anne Frank responded to conflict by making the most out of her situation. Even when she was faced with persecution solely because of her religion, she held out hope for the future. She looked at the glass as half full rather than half empty. She tried to find the good in life, even when there wasn’t much happiness around her.

Winston Churchill became the prime minister of England while at war with Germany. Churchill’s speech to Parliament, “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat” shows his level of determination during a time of conflict and hardship. For example, when he states,“You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs – Victory in spite of all terrors – Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival” it shows Churchill’s determination to fight back. Winston Churchill responded to conflict by putting all of his effort and power into fighting back. Rather than trying to make a compromise or surrendering to Germany when England has low morale, his determination influences him to use encouraging words to motivate England.

Conflict is an unavoidable part of life, but through our actions, speech, and thoughts, we are able to manage the situation in the best way possible. One example of someone who dealt with conflict well is Anne Frank, the author of the book A Diary of a Young Girl. Anne Frank was a Jewish victim of the Holocaust who was forced to live in hiding. Another example is Winston Churchill, who displayed his ability to manage conflict through his speech, “Blood, Toil, Tears, and Sweat”. Elie Wiesel, a survivor of the Holocaust and Nobel Prize winner also responded to conflict in an effective way which was demonstrated through his Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech. These individuals were able to face their conflicts using, positivity, determination, and passion.

Elie Wiesel was a Nobel Prize recipient who is well known for his books about the Holocaust. He was extremely passionate about this subject because he himself endured loss and suffering during the Holocaust. His passion motivated him to speak out so that nobody has to go through the same experiences. To exemplify this point, in his Nobel Prize speech, when Wiesel states, “I swore never to be silent whenever wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere” it displays his passion to help people who are going through such terrible conflicts. He responded to conflict by writing books that allow him to speak his mind and voice his opinions. He believed that one of the worst things you can do is stay silent and allow history to repeat itself. Not only did he voice his own thoughts in his book, he encourages others to do so as well.

In conclusion, the best way to respond to conflict is through positivity, determination, and passion. Reading about historic figures such as Anne Frank, Winston Churchill, and Elie Wiesel, and how they confronted their conflict during World War II, can be helpful when it comes to our own lives. We are able to apply their strategies toward conflict when we are faced with conflicts of our own, no matter how big or small they may be. Through learning about how past individuals have dealt with conflicts and struggles, we can better understand what to do when faced with conflicts in the future.