Example research essay topic: Second World War U S Government - 1,395 words

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

U. S. covert operations thought the history Covert operations have always played a big role in American foreign policies, when it came to defending national interests and providing the homeland security. The legacy of these kinds of policies can be traced all way back to British rule. British Empire has always tried to reach its political goals by pursuing them indirectly. Even when it came to war, Brits would try to use armies of their allies as cannon meat, rather than sending their own soldiers to die.

It lead to the fact that Brits were the ones who introduced methods of covert operations or spying as new principles employed in foreign policies. Even up until now we associate the perfect spy with British 007 agent, James Bond. The first time when covert operations played big role in American strategic planning, was in 1898 when battleship Maine was being sunk in the harbor of Havana. There no serious historian today that doubt that the USA government was behind its sinking, as it needed pro-war public sentiment, to proceed with its war plans against Spain. It is been much debated nowadays about what actually had happened, but there is no doubt that embryonic American intelligence agencies were involved in the accident, in one way or another. In 1915, under president Wilson, United States had an urgent reason to enter First World War to help Britain in its fight against Germany, yet no reason for declaring war could be found, as Germany tried not to endanger American interests.

But when ocean liner Lusitania was sank at the coast of Ireland, United States declared war on Germany, thus contributing to development of its military industry, which ultimately elevated USA to a position of one of the most powerful countries in the world. In the light of recently published information, it becomes obvious that case with Lusitania (passenger liner, loaded with military supplies) was nothing else but another U. S. covert operation.

Its ultimate goal was to gain an influence in the theater of European affairs, which was successfully accomplished. After United States entered war in 1915, it automatically gained the right to close German diplomatic mission, as it was well known of being nothing else but a spy center. German ambassador von Papen was extradited from USA, ending up in Britain. He had receipts from the bank with him with detailed information about those who were German spies in America. About 150 German secret agents were arrested, thus putting an end to German spy net in North America. On December 7, 1941 Japanese forces in Pearl Harbour attacked American fleet.

There is a lot of new information about the event became available to he public now these days. Apparently, American president was well aware of impending attack, as American intelligence was able to crack down Japanese naval code. Yet president Roosevelt needed a valid reason to enter the Second World War, so many American sailors were being made sacrificial lambs in order to benefit American national interests abroad. Was it morally justified? There are might be different opinions about that, yet it is a fact that after Second World war, United States became the most powerful country in the world.

It wouldnt happen if USA didnt get involved in European politics. 1943 marks the year when Office of Strategic Services was founded, as mean of obtaining secret information. By that time FBI had assumed counterespionage duties. In year 1948 SIS was renamed into Central Intelligence Agency, known throughout the world as CIA. CIA numerous functions included gathering secret information from abroad and fighting foreign spies on its own territory. This agency became notoriously known as one that would never hesitate employing even political assassinations as one of its methods of dealing with the enemies of United States. Yet, it appears that CIA is probably the most effective of all American government agencies.

In its book Covert Action: The Limits of Intervention in the Postwar World, Gregory Treventon says: Spying may be the worlds second oldest profession, but for the United States it was only the cold war, coming on the heels of Americas wartime experience with secret operations conducted by the Office of Strategic Services, that led to the creation of an intelligence service in peacetime and to covert operations. Wartime success and postwar threat: these were the backdrop for the creation of the CIA. In a few years America plunged from the euphoria of victory in World War II to the confrontation with a looming Soviet threat. In fact, Soviet threat became only the real concern of CIA after the war. Communist influence was rapidly expanding at the time, so president Truman decided that CIA had to take an aggressive approach towards dealing with Communist threat. Its main task became not allowing the Communist idea to be gaining more strongholds around the world.

Korean war in 1950, was the first U. S. attempt to fight communism strategically. Throughout fifties and sixties and seventies, especially under presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Nixon, CIA used to actively participate in foreign countries internal affairs, influencing them the for the favor of United States. In 1947 CIA backed up a military coup in Greece, after that Greece had sharply changed its attitude towards USSR. It became sharply anti-Communist.

In 1955 during the elections in France, CIA financed anti-soviet politicians and also went as far as eliminating their opponents physically, thus winning France for the Western civilization. Throughout 1955 and 1959, American intelligence actively participated in influencing the internal affairs of such countries as Jordan, Lebanon and Indonesia, getting rid of Communist strongholds there. Year 1961 marks the Bay of Pigs, when U. S. sponsored guerillas tried to overthrow Cuban government. That was one of not very many numerous cases when U.

S. international prestige had sustained a heavy blow. CIA had actively participated in preparing American invasion to Vietnam in 1964. In 1961 it started to send its agents in the region, who were officially called advisers. With the beginning fo the Cold War, American secret intelligence activity had gained a new momentum and it has to be recognized that it turned out to be very effective in the and, as it contributed greatly to America prevailing over Soviet Union in the end.

Colonel Penkovskys case is the most known example of how important was to United States to have the secret information about Soviet Military. In 1961, he provided U. S. government with information that allowed it to prevail in Cuban missile crisis.

From this time on, Communism started to indulge in defense more and more and it became only the matter of time before Soviet Union would collapse, over its inability to compete with West. Nowadays, when United States is indulged in war against terrorism, the importance of U. S. government covert operations became even greater. The underdeveloped world's growing dissatisfaction over the gap between rich and poor nations will create a fertile breeding ground for insurgencies.

These insurgencies have the potential to jeopardize regional stability and our access to vital economic and military resources. " these words of USA Senator, Patrick Leather effectively describe our present situation. Yet, in my opinion, counter intelligence covert operations will not provide maintaining the American national interests throughout the world the way they used to even 10 years ago. The enemy had adopted the same practice that employed by U. S. secret agents - it became invisible.

International terrorism is a little too vast of definition when it comes to using a computer guided missiles or smart bombs. Apparently we live in time when the whole concept of how international covert operations are conducted, needs to be reconsidered. When it comes to foreign affairs, we need to realize that we live in rapidly changing world and we cannot control the process. Our intelligence and counter intelligence policies will have to be made much more flexible. Presidents Bush failure to understand that is very likely to cost him loosing the elections Bibliography: Treverton, Gregory. Covert Action: The Limits of Intervention in the Postwar World.

Basic Books. New York. 1987. Police State USA web 8. 10. 2004 Foreign Relations of United States 1964 - 1968. Department of State. Washington DC. web 8. 10. 2004 Muhammad, Eric.

Final Call April 25 th, 2001 web 8. 10. 2004 USA Invasions, Bombings, Military Aid, Political Interventions and Sanctions web

Research essay sample on Second World War U S Government