American Foreign Policy:
"Why We Fight"
Directions: After watching sections of the film, Why We Fight, consider the questions below and respond in a "K, what? So, what? Now, what?"-format
You don't have answer all of these questions! In fact, just go through the process:
- K, what am I looking at? A bunch of videos about American foreign policy.
- So, what do they tell me? Answer this question after watching the videos.
- Now, what can I predict? Answer this question after watching the videos.
Below is the transcript of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's "Military-Industrial Complex" speech:
My fellow Americans,
We have been compelled to create a permanent armament industry of vast proportions. Three and a half million men and women, are directly engaged in the defense establishment.
Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex.
The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist… We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes.
Rephrase his "warnings" in your own words.
My fellow Americans,
We have been compelled to create a permanent armament industry of vast proportions. Three and a half million men and women, are directly engaged in the defense establishment.
Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex.
The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist… We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes.
Rephrase his "warnings" in your own words.
Susan Eisenhower, President Eisenhower’s granddaughter states:
What "cost" is she talking about?
- “[The 1950s were] a very dangerous time. My grandfather was the first to acknowledge that a permanent military establishment would be required during this period, but that unless we could find some breakthrough, it would end up creating a terrible cost.”
What "cost" is she talking about?
The 1991 Gulf War was called “Operation Desert Storm”. The Iraq War was called “Operation Iraqi Freedom” and the current Afghan War is called “Operation Enduring Freedom”.
We fight for principles like freedom and democracy…but is that what these nations want?
We fight for principles like freedom and democracy…but is that what these nations want?
So...why do we fight?
