Question

American Sentiment Directly After 9/11—Describe the American public’s support of the Iraq War and War on Terror directly after the terrorist attacks. Do you think this was a justified response or not? What were the primary causes of support for the war? Provide a counterargument. Make a strong point of comparison to the American public’s support of World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor to America and the War on Terror after 9/11.

Answer 1

Directly after the 9/11 attacks, American support for the Iraq War and War on Terror was strong, mirroring the sentiment after Pearl Harbor in World War II. As time passed, public support diminished due to emerging doubts about the war's justification, though respect for military personnel remained intact.

Step-by-step explanation:

American Sentiment After 9/11

The support for the Iraq War and War on Terror was initially high following the September 11 attacks. Americans, driven by patriotism, rallied around their country and showed overwhelming support for the nation’s military actions abroad. This support arguably mirrored the sentiments that followed the attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to America's entry into World War II. The primary causes of support for the post-9/11 wars were patriotism, the need for a strong response to terrorism, and the trust in governmental strategies to combat threats to national security.

• Counterarguments and Public Sentiment

However, a counterargument exists that questions the justification for the invasion of Iraq considering Osama bin Laden's opposition to Saddam Hussein. As time passed, support for the Iraq invasion waned, reflecting concerns similar to the Vietnam War, with many Americans calling for troop support even as they criticized the war policy. The antiwar sentiment that emerged rested on the prolonged nature of the conflict and the absence of weapons of mass destruction, which was a key reason cited for the invasion.

• Comparison to World War II Support

Unlike the broad, compulsory mobilization of World War II, the Iraq War was fought by a small volunteer military force, which meant that most Americans were not directly affected by the conflict. Still, the Iraq War became a pivotal national concern, influencing elections and societal attitudes much like earlier conflicts had shaped American politics. While the collective desire for security remained, the contrasting views over time showcase an evolution in public opinion regarding military engagements.

Answer 2

Immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the American public showed strong support for the Iraq War and War on Terror. This was primarily due to the fear and anger generated by the attacks, which made people more willing to support a military response. However, there were also other factors that contributed to support for the war, including the idea of patriotism and a desire to protect the nation from further attacks. Although many people felt that this was a justified response to the attacks, there are also those who disagreed with the decision to go to war. They argued that the war was costly, and that it was not the most effective way to protect the nation from terrorism.

When comparing the American public’s support of World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor to America and the War on Terror after 9/11, it is clear that the public’s response was much more unified in the former case. After the Pearl Harbor attack, the public overwhelmingly supported the war effort and was willing to make sacrifices to protect the nation. In contrast, the response to the War on Terror was much more divided, with some people supporting the war and others opposing it. Ultimately, the public’s response to the War on Terror after 9/11 was much more complex than the unified response to World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Step-by-step explanation: