NOTE: Free essay sample provided on this page should be used for references or sample purposes only. The sample essay is available to anyone, so any direct quoting without mentioning the source will be considered plagiarism by schools, colleges and universities that use plagiarism detection software. To get a completely brand-new, plagiarism-free essay, please use our essay writing service.
One click instant price quote
Analytical War Essay (1) When it comes to assessing the true meaning of historical events, we need to understand that these events only reflect socio-political realities; therefore, their essence is objective. Ancient Romans, who were known for their supreme ability of logical thinking, used to insist that, in order to point out at the root of every social or political problem, we need to come up with a question quo bono? , which means who will gain out of situation? Let us apply this principle, during the course of discussing similarities and differences between Vietnam War and Iraq War. What is the first thing that comes up in mind when we mention Vietnam War?
It is strong opposition of American Medias to this war. There was practically no single day, during the course of this war, when American newspapers, TV channels and radio stations would not report the horrendous crimes, committed by American soldiers against peaceful Vietnamese. The Hollywood used to exploit and still exploits these themes in such movies as Platoon, Hamburger Hill or Apocalypse Now. This time is also associated with books that used to promote treacherous attitudes becoming a classic of American literature. Tim OBriens novel Going After Cacciato is a best example. In it, author portrays the act of betrayal, on the part of Cacciato, as absolutely moral deed.
During seventies, it became a statement of good taste to badmouth our soldiers, on the part of just about any Liberal wacko, who happened to be elected to the Senate. The flower children used to expose their unwillingness to serve in American army, as something to be proud of. These cowards were happy to pour dirt on American troops, while hiding in Canada, to avoid draft. Alternatively, what is the first thing that comes in mind when we mention Iraq War?
It is complete Medias support of American aggression. The countless experts were never getting tired of telling us a horror stories about international terrorism, its connection to Saddam Hussein or about the weapons of mass destruction. Even today, a great many Americans seriously believe that the reason we attacked Iraq was to establish democracy there. If any politician happened to refer to American soldiers in Iraq as cannon meat, which used be a common thing, during Vietnam War, he would be torn apart by angry crowd.
Why such a big difference in popular attitudes towards both wars? This is because, during Vietnam War, American troops were trying to stop the spread of Communism, with which many chosen people in this country, who accidentally own 95 % of American Medias and Hollywood, have strong affiliation. The spiritual and often biological descendants of Bolshevik commissars in America were not interested in exposing the crimes of Communism in the world, because it would cause many ordinary Americans to wonder whether it is very beneficial for U. S.
to have the agents of foreign influence here in the first place. This is why deserters from American army, at the time Vietnam War, used to be praised as heroes by very same Medias that nowadays refer to such deserters in Iraq as cowards. The popularity of such best selling books as Against all Enemies by Richard Clarke or No True Glory by Bing West, suggest that nowadays, the majority of Americans actually do support the Iraq War, in exactly the same way citizens used to be critical towards Vietnam War in seventies. Before U. S. entered WWII, Americans were made to believe that Germany poses an immediate danger to our country, while nothing could be further from the truth.
This reveals the artificial nature of popular attitudes towards the war. The movie Wag the Dog shows the process of brainwashing, on the part of American Medias, in great details. The fact is, Vietnam War had nothing to do with protection of Israel, and therefore, it was unnecessary. Iraq War, on the other hand, is very necessary, because American troops in Iraq were needed to destroy Saddam's SCUD missiles, which used to pose great danger to Israel. This is the reason why our troops are still in Iraq, even though that their presence there is not associated with even slightest benefits to our country. American troops remain in Iraq to protect Israel from geopolitical instability in the reason.
This is why it is highly unlikely that they might ever be pulled out of there, despite the fact that more and more Americans begin to realize the sheer absurdity of Iraq War. The process of Globalization changes the very essence of international politics. Independent countries cease to think of protecting their national interests, as their foremost priority. National governments slowly begin to represent the interests of worlds financial elite on the local level. Throughout the history, it used to be a common thing for small countries to be exploited by their bigger neighbors. Britain, for example, always strived to fight wars by using Canadians, New Zealanders, Arabs and Indians as cannon meat.
This practice might not be described as moral, but it certainly did make sense at the time. What does not make sense is that dwarf-state of Israel is using the most powerful country in the world as its puppet. This is the main difference between Vietnam and Iraq Wars. Our analysis has proved once again that the principle of quo bono still defines the dynamics on the arena of international relations.
The similarities between two wars can be identified more easily, because they are obvious. In both wars, American soldiers had to fight amidst hostile environment, while being surrounded by enemies, which nullified their chances for victory. In both cases, there was no stable frontline, which is why our troops could be attacked from just about any direction. In both cases, our troops were dealing with Asiatic mentality, on the part of indigenous population, which is why it was often impossible to distinguish civilians from guerillas, because they are the same. The very same person can be a peaceful civilian, by day, and bloodthirsty terrorist, by night, and there no way to tell the difference. Therefore, it is perfectly understandable why in both wars, our soldiers would rather throw grenade into the building, before entering it, then taking a chance of being shot by 12 years old boy.
War is a dirty business. This statement is equally applicable to both wars analyzed in this paper. (2) Nowadays, it became very popular to suggest that once we manage to build a multicultural paradise on Earth, there is going to be no need for wars. Every once in a while, we hear about crazed flower children running campaigns in schools, when boys are encouraged to surrender their toy guns in exchange for dolls. This is being done along with promotion of the idea that it is appropriate to give up on our constitutional rights, in order to enjoy security. Politicians never get tired of talking about the unity of American nation, even though that during hurricane Katrina it became obvious to everyone that racial and cultural lines divide Americans to such an extent that only very naive people can talk about such illusionary unity, as part of objective reality. There is a much difference between American patriots of 19 th and 20 th centuries and flag-waving crowds of naturalized American citizens who support foreign policies of Bush's administration, despite the fact that only few of them can speak proper English.
The nation, which wants to maintain its inner integrity, needs to participate in wars on continuous basis, because it is only the effective mean of insuring national solidarity. Mark Twain was well aware of this fact, which is why his War Prayer is filled with such high emotionalism: It was a time of great and exalting excitement. The country was up in arms, the war was on, in every breast burned the holy fire of patriotism; the drums were beating, the bands playing, the toy pistols popping (Twain). However, since the times of Mark Twain, the notion of patriotism in America was being transformed into something that is not related to the original essence of this word. The reason why there is no real patriotic fever could be observed among citizens during Iraq War, is that wars goals could not be perceived by the crowd on emotional level. Security, human rights or new world order are not the ideals for which people would be willing to shed their blood, because these ideals are too vague and abstract.
The same can be said about Vietnam War. However, the war has value in itself. Psychologists are aware of the fact that generations that were being affected by war are the least susceptible to depression. It is only during his time in trenches that individual learns how to appreciate its own life and how to sacrifice it for the sake of higher good. Only combat experiences turn boys into men. As Karl von Clauzewitz once said: Everything in war is simple, but the simplest thing is difficult.
The difficulties accumulate and end by producing a kind of friction that is inconceivable unless one has experienced war (Clauzewitz). Soldier on active duty is a saintly figure, for as long as he acts in the way he is expected to. This is why, it is utterly inappropriate to glorify cowardice and treachery, on the part of Medias, regardless of their original motivation. Every time we hear about atrocities committed by our own soldiers in some god-forsaken countries, we can be sure that our troops are about to be struck from behind. There can be no doubt that Iraq War is not beneficial to this nation, however, it is our politicians that should be held responsible for it and not just an ordinary soldiers, who execute their patriotic duty in foreign land. The problem is that the majority of writers and producers, who strive to pursue their own political agenda, with the mean of describing war events, have never experienced it first hand, because the fact that they belong to the better half of humanity convinced them to consider their lives as having much greater value then the lives of ordinary Americans.
It is very easy to come to such conclusion, as former soldiers can never think that glorifying cowardice, as moral act is socially appropriate. The hook-nosed experts strive to make Americans to view the events of war through their own lenses. This is why; Iraq and Vietnam wars are being portrayed in such a different manner. This is also the reason why protests against Vietnam War in seventies should be considered as unpatriotic, whereas the protests against Iraq War needs to be viewed as peoples spontaneous reaction to their sons being sent to fight war that does not make sense to any country in this world, except for Israel. Bibliography: Haider, Ali Hollywood Takes on Iraq as Public Opinion Shifts. 23 Mar. 2006. Monsters and Critics.
Com. Movies. 8 Jan. 2008. web Gardner, David Iraq War Costs US and UK more than? 2, 000 a Second. 1 Aug. 2007. Daily Mail. 8 Jan. 2008. web Karl von Clausewitz Quotes. 2007.
ThinkExist. Com. 8 Jan. 2008. web LoBaido, Anthony Face to Face With Pol Pot's Evil. 18 Apr. 2001. World Net Daily. 8 Jan. 2008. web Sheffield, Rob The Mamas & The Papas. 15 Apr. 1999. Rolling Stone. 8 Jan. 2008.
web Twain, Mark The War Prayer. 1905. 1995. National Technical University of Athens. 8 Jan. 2008. web Vann, Bill Washingtons Hypocrisy Over Iraqi War Crimes. 28 Mar. 2003. World Socialist Web Site. 8 Jan. 2008. web Abstract: This paper discusses the reasons why Medias portrayal of Vietnam and Iraq wars can be described as such that is based on entirely different principles. Outline: Part one Part two
Free research essays on topics related to: iraq war, mark twain, ordinary americans, vietnam war, american troops
Research essay sample on Vietnam War Iraq War
