History Main / ThisMeansWar

* The Latin word for this is ''Casus Beli'' and this is the version often used in diplo-speak. Actually it sounds scarier in English then in Latin despite the [[TheGloryThatWasRome reputation]] of the original Latin speakers.

** The ''{{Animaniacs}}'' episode "King Yakko" has the bad guy say "this means war" when his first attempt to take over Anvilania fails.

* After the attack on Saguntum in the beginning of the Second Punic War the Roman ambassador to Carthage went before the Carthageian Senate and said that he carried in the folds of his toga peace or war and demanded that they choose. The Cartheginians said "you choose". So the Roman said he let fall war. And the Cartheginians said, "We accept it".
* [[TheWarOnTerror 11/9/2001]]

* Charles Francis Adams was the American ambassador to England during the AmericanCivilWar. He was convinced that a British compy was building warships for the Confederacy. He sent a series of notes to the British Foreign Minister insisting that the British government stop this, since England was supposed to be neutral. The last note contained the sentence: "It would be superfluous of me to point out to your Lordship that this is war." The British government bought the ships in question.

* [[TheWarOnTerror 9/11/2001]]

** President Roosevelt said something more true to the trope title: "Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy..." If this doesn't sound badass to you, remember what "infamy" means: what he essentially said was "ThisIsUnforgivable, and we shall never forget it." Less than one hour after those words were spoken, America officially declared war. Notably, except for a reciprocal declaration against Germany and Italy a couple days later, this was the <b>last</b> formal Declaration of War by the United States.

** President Roosevelt said something more true to the trope title: "Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy..." If this doesn't sound badass to you, remember what "infamy" means: what he essentially said was "ThisIsUnforgivable, and we shall never forget it." Less than one hour after those words were spoken, America officially declared war.

* Said verbatim by the Eddy the Wizard in ''YetAnotherFantasyGamerComic''. But then again, [[http://yafgc.shipsinker.com/index.php?strip_id=907 he has good reasons too.]]

* Charles Francis Adams was the American ambassador to England during the AmericananCivilWar. He was convinced that a British compy was building warships for the Confederacy. He sent a series of notes to the British Foreign Minister insisting that the British government stop this, since England was supposed to be neutral. The last note contained the sentence: "It would be superfluous of me to point out to your Lordship that this is war." The British government bought the ships in question.

* 9/11/2001

* WrongIsRight: The US president uses this reason to invade the Middle East after 2 nuclear warheads are found in New York City. However, the film is a parody of PatrioticFervor and Eagleland as the warheads were allowed into the city to ensure the president's re-election.[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrong_Is_Right]][[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IUbBdcDEo0]]

* WrongIsRight: The US president uses this reason to invade the Middle East after 2 nuclear warheads are found in New York City. However, the film is a parody of PatrioticFervor and Eagleland as the warheads were allowed into the city to ensure the president's re-election.[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrong_Is_Right]]

* Charles Francis Adams was the American ambassador to England during the AmericanCivilWar. He was convinced that a British company was building warships for the Confederacy. He sent a series of notes to the British Foreign Minister insisting that the British government stop this, since England was supposed to be neutral. The last note contained the sentence: "It would be superfluous of me to point out to your Lordship that this is war." The British government bought the ships in question.

* ''FamilyGuy'': In one episode, Lois gets splashed on by a car driven by the woman that constantly beats her for the award for best piano student. Needless to say, ThisMeansWar.

* The homunculi of ''{{Fullmetal Alchemist}}'' caused major problems for themselves because of this trope. Before [[spoiler: Maes Hughes' death]], Mustang knew pretty much nothing about the homunculi and consequently was not involved in trying to stop their evil schemes. The moment they [[spoiler: killed Hughes]], he quietly went into a sort of chronic {{Heroic BSOD}} mode and became such a danger to them that Lust finally decided [[spoiler: he wasn't worth it as a sacrifice and simply tried to kill him]].

* Used with a LampshadeHanging in ''AnansiBoys''.

* ''{{Read or Die}}'': The leader of the I-jin has revealed himself, announced his ApocalypseHow and revealed [[spoiler:Nancy is Mata Hari and spying for them]]. In response, Gentleman informs Joker over the PA that Operation Manuscript Retrieval is suspended...

* Chaos of LifeAndDeath ''almost'' does this, but doesn't due to a coin toss. But still, you have to wonder. [[BewareTheNiceOnes How indirect can he get?]]

* The homunculi of ''{{Fullmetal Alchemist}}'' caused major problems for themselves because of this trope. Before [[spoiler: Maes Hughes' death]], Mustang knew pretty much nothing about the homunculi and consequently was not involved in trying to stop their evil schemes. The moment they [[spoiler: killed Hughes]], he quietly went into a sort of chronic {{Heroic BSOD}} mode and became such a danger to the homunculi that Lust decided [[spoiler: he wasn't worth it as a sacrifice and simply tried to kill him]].

[[folder: TabletopGames]]

[[folder: Video Games]]

* In the ''Game/SamAndMaxFreelancePolice'' game ''Abe Lincoln Must Die!'', The Soda Poppers, a triplet of {{Former Child Star}}s, have become governors of Dakota. You are supposed to rile up their latent SiblingRivalry until:

* After the attack on Saguntum in the beginning of the Second Punic War the Roman ambassador to Carthage went before the Carthageian Senate and said that he carried in the folds of his toga peace or war and demanded that they choose. The Cartheginians said "you choose" . So the Roman said he let fall war. And the Cartheginians said, "We accept it".

* Played with on ''{{Supernatural}}'', when Dean tells Rufus, "It's war, you hear me? It's war!" The latter replies with, "You're damn right it is," before punching Dean in the face, not realizing that he actually meant ''[[HorsemenOfTheApocalypse War]]''.

[[redirect:ptitlei78khc6p]]