It was a catalyst for mortality salience and provided a casus belli.
Link between the two -
http://www.sozialpsychologie.uni-fra...t-al.-1998.pdf
Also, cannot find evidence to support this hunch, but there may be a positive correlation between mortality salience and consumerism. If yes, then it supported both war and economy. What are your opinions on all the "threat-level porn" spread by media outlets?