History Courses For Dr. Christopher C. Lovett

Updated as of 2 October 05

Today in History:

On October 2, 1780, Major John André, a British spy associated with Benedict Arnold, was executed on this day in history. 

Quote of the Day:

"In my view we are much worse off now than when we went into Iraq. This is not a partisan position. I voted for these guys."

A senior figure at a military-sponsored think tank as told to James Fallows in "Bush's Lost Year" in The Atlantic Monthly (Oct. 2004)

Was the 2004 Election Stolen?

Take the Ann Coulter Quiz

Where are you politically? Take the Neocon Quiz and find out.

"History is Far too Important to be left to History Professors"

Teaching isn't such a novel idea

Announcements

Age of Despotism

Age of Total War

Current  History

Dictators and Dems

DDE in War & Peace

Splendid Little Wars

Terrorism Online

World War II Online

Bibliography: History of Disease

Bioterrorism

Contemporary Terrorist Organizations

How to Write an Essay

Map of Islamic Terrorist Cells in the U.S.A.

PowerPoint Notes

Reaction Papers

TASK Information Updates

Terrorism Cybrary

Terrorism Filmography

Terrorism Glossary

Yahoo! Groups TASK Teachers

Gulf Wars Final

Directions: Select one of the following questions and prepare an essay question of no more than six and no less than five, double-spaced pages. Your paper should be in MSWord and can be emailed to me no later than 13 December 2007.

1. Many analysts have compared Iraq to Vietnam. Are there any comparisons that fit the two conflicts? Is that analogy valid?
2. The Neocons were the chief architects of the current conflict in the Persian Gulf . Who were they? What were their objectives in the Middle East?
3.  Many have pointed to faulty intelligence as the reasons for our current debacle in Iraq. What happened? How did it occur? Did policymakers misuse intelligence during the run up to the war? Explain.
4. Looking back at the situation following the start of the war it is possible to see serious problems that the Pentagon grossly overlooked or underestimated. What were the shortcomings that compounded the occupation of Iraq for the American forces?
5. Many Americans do not understand the importance of the Valerie Plame affair in the coming of the Second Iraq War. What was it all about? Why did some in the Bush administration release her name? What did this element in the war’s narrative say about the relationship between the administration and the media?
6. During the course of the war and the insurgency the Bush administration made appoint of appearing with military personnel at any available opportunity. What was it like for American GIs in Iraq? How would you evaluate the personal narratives of American service men like Nathaniel Fick?
7. George Parker and Rajiv Chandrasekaran create a disturbing image of the Coalition Provisional Authority. What went wrong? How did politics and business interests impede the development of a coherent plan to establish civilian control in Iraq?
8. Looking at the Second Iraq War it is possible to say that there were many who are at fault for what had transpired. How did religion, politics, greed, and lack of political courage contribute to the current situation in Iraq and the Middle East?