Essay Question
It is widely known that we learn from the past. When making decisions that will affect a population, we consider similar situations we have experienced, and choose accordingly from the turnout that was prompted. There are several similarities between one of the most famous wars of our country, the Civil War, and the War on Terror, which we are currently involved in.
After the Civil War, the North left the South in ruins. Sherman's march to the sea completely destroyed railroads and towns, and burned massive amounts of crops. Confederate bills and bonds became worthless, resulting in the collapse of the Southern economy. People were without money, such as plantation owners and wealthy persons. The liberation of African Americans as slaves left the plantations unattended to. Extreme bitterness and resentment was sent in tidal waves towards the armies of the North. Lincoln knew that it would take a lot of money, time, and effort to rebuild a country that didn't want their help.
Similar to those times, we face the same circumstances with the rehabilitation of Iraq and Afghanistan. The United States has broken down Iraq's government by removing Saddam Hussein and his regime out of power. Due to this change in their government, the same resentment has also been demonstrated to the United States. The United States today has questions about how they are going to pay for rebuilding Iraq. This is very similar to how the North had questions about rebuilding the South.
Before Lincolns plan could come into action, he was assassinated. President Johnson had to take on the task that his predecessor left. He didn't approve of rebuilding or of forgiving the South for their betrayal. Instead he wanted them to pay for what they did. Bush's plan for Iraq has not been fulfilled either, since his term ended. President Obama, with no war experience, has inherited the task of finishing this war, and safely bringing the soldiers home.
The Civil War and the...