The 3 R's of Religion in the U.S. Public Schools
1) Rights- Everyone has the right to practice the religion of their choice.
2) Responsibility- Everyone has the responsibility to protect the rights for all.
3) Respect- We should respect others religious choices even if we don't like or agree with it.
James Madison (1787)
U.S. Constitution: First Amendment- "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise there of..."
U.S. Public Schools
Horace Mann (early 19th Century):
Public schools do not follow any particular religion but are primarily Bible-based with Protestant moral teachings
Immigrants:
->Italians/Irish-Catholics
->Buddhist: Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and other Asians
U.S. Supreme Court:
*The First Amendment applies to states and public schools.
*Today America has over 3000 different religions.
*Public schools are not Bible-based.
*Public schools cannot teach one particular region but can teach ABOUT religion
E/C
Today there are over 3000 different religions practiced in the United States.
1868-The 14th Amendment required that the First Amendment apply to the states as well as congress
Public schools and state court houses can no longer promote any particular religion.
They can teach ABOUT different religions
Judaism
Beliefs and Practices:
The Jewish people believe in one God, and in leading ethical lives by following the Ten Commandments and other laws given to Moses in 1200-1300 B.C.
Jewish people believe that God spoke through many prophets who taught them to follow their religion.
Jews worship through prayer and once a week on the holy day, or Sabbath, in a house of worship called a synagogue.
Jewish Holidays include:
Rosh Hashanah-New Year
Yom Kippur-Forgiveness of sin
Passover- Liberation from slavery in Egypt
Hanukkah-Festival of light and restoration of the Jewish Temple.
Jewish Persecution
Jesus-
was born into a Jewish family and followed the Jewish religion all his life.
Jesus' disciples-
Were all male Jews. After Jesus' death-there was a split.
Jews who believed Jesus was the Messiah
Jews who were not followers of Jesus.
66-135 CE-Jews rebel against Roman rule and are forced to leave Jerusalem. This is called the Diaspora. Jews move to countries all over Europe and the Middle East. When Europe becomes Christian, Jews are persecuted for their religion.
1100-1300 CE-During the Crusades, Christians destroyed Jewish villages and massacred Jews. Jews were banished from England in 1396 and from Spain in 1493.
1648 Polish and Lithuanian Cossacks carried out pogroms-raided Jewish villages and massacred Jews.
Jews were often denied equal rights and forced to live in ghettos.
1930-1945-the Nazi Holocaust kills 6 million Jews.
1800-1900- Many Jews immigrate to America.
1948- Jews are given their own country, Israel, and return to their homeland.
Christianity
Beliefs
-Believe in one God.
-Believe that Jesus is the son of God.
-Jesus came into the world and died to save humanity from sin.
-Christians believe that Jesus was/is the Christ-the "Messiah"- the "Savior"
-Christians believe they will attain salvation by following the teachings of Jesus and by faith in Jesus Christ.
Sects
Eastern Orthodox-primarily found in Eastern Europe and Russia
Catholic-Head of the church is the Pope in Rome
Protestant-started by Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation
Worship
Catholics
-Communion- worshippers eat bread and drink wine which they believe is the real body and blood of Christ
Protestants
-Protestants-singing, prayer, and reading from the bible, Sermon/preaching.
Baptism
-in all Christian churches
Teachings of Jesus
*"You have heard the Commandment 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But what I say to you is offer no resistance to injury. When a person strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him the other." -Matthew 5:38, 39
*"...love your enemies, pray for your persecutors"- Matthew 5:44
*"This is my commandment:love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."- John 15:12, 13
*If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."-Matthew 19:21
Islam
Five Pillars
*Faith-statement of faith "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
*Prayer-Muslims pray 5 times a day bowing all the way to the ground
*Alms-Muslims mist give donations to the poor
*Fasting-Muslims eat no food during daylight hours for the holy month of Ramadan.
*Pilgrimage-All Muslims who can afford must make a hajj or pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
*Islam was founded by Muhammad who lived from 570-632 A.D.
*The two major sects of Islam are the Sunni and the Shi'a sects.
*The holy book of Islam is the Qur'an
*They also believe God's word was spoken through Abraham, Moses, David, and Jesus. They were also prophets.
Hinduism
Central Beliefs:
Hindus believe that each person has a soul or Atman.
Each person seeks to unite his/her soul with God or Brahman-the universal soul.
*One can unite with Brahman only by freeing oneself from selfish, earthly desires. When one is completely free and united with Brahman one has achieved moksha or enlightenment.
*Hindu's believe in Karma-whatever good deeds or bad deeds you do will come back and cause good or bad in your life, or in the next life.
*Hindus believe in reincarnation-that each person is reborn over and over- if one has been good, then one will be reborn into a good life, if one has been bad then one will be reborn into a miserable life-until one is completely free of desires and achieves moksha.
Practices:
Hindus practice meditation, prayer, and yoga (or spiritual exercises) to purify themselves and united with God/Brahman
Scriptures
...The sacred writings of the Hindus include the Vedas and the Bhagavad-Gita-...
Gods: Hindus believe that all are united in one God, but Hindus believe in and worship many different Gods.
The three main Gods of Hinduism are Brahma-the creator; Vishnu-the preserver of the universe; Shiva-the destroyer
Gurus-are holy people or spiritual teachers who guide people to unite with Brahman.
Rituals and Celebrations
-include Diwali, a festival of light at the beginning of New Year;
-purification in the Ganges River in India.
There are many different Hindu sects and ways of practicing Hinduism.
Hinduism in America
1960s
The Beatles: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi develops a simple form of meditation practice that becomes very popular in America and around the world.
Transcendental Meditation
Yoga: Healthy meditation exercise.
Practiced by millions.
Relaxation Response
Dr. from the Harvard,;
Medical School develops a simple form of meditation that is scientifically proven to relieve stress verified method,
Dr. Dean Ornish,
Uses meditation, yoga, and a vegetarian diet to develop a medically verified method to cure heart disease
Buddhism
Beliefs: Buddhists honor their founder Siddharta Gautama, who is known as the Buddha.
Buddha means "enlightened one" Buddhists believe that the Buddha attained enlightenment, a state of freedom from selfish desires and oneness with all the universe-this is called Nirvana. Buddhists follow Buddha's teachings which include the Four Noble Truths.
Practices:
Buddhists practice to free themselves from desires and attain enlightenment through meditation, chanting, and offering incense.
Monks and Nuns- those who dedicate their lives to meditation and study of the Buddh's teaching. They lead and teach others.
Sects of Buddhism:
Theravada-traditional Buddhism
Mahayana-Belief that all may become Buddhas-Bodhisattva-will not go to nirvana or paradise but stays to help everyone become enlightened.
Beliefs:
The Four Noble Truths
*Life is suffering- suffering can not be avoided by anyone in this life.
*There is a cause of suffering: Desire to have and control things.
*There is a way to end suffering: By becoming free from your desires.
*One becomes free from desires by following a practice.
This practice is also called the:
Eightfold Path
*Right understanding
*Right thinking
*Right speech
*Right conduct:
-Do not kill
-Do not steal
-Do not lie
-Do not misuse sex
-Do not consume alcohol or mind-altering drugs
*Right livelihood
*Right effort
*Right mindfulness
*Right concentration
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
U.S. Foreign Policy and Terrorism
Israel
Background/History
1. 1948-U.S. supports the new Jewish nation of Israel.
2. Israel forms its new country in Palestine which was a predominantly Moslem/Arab country.
3. Palestinians fight to kick Israelis out
4. Israel takes control of all of Palestine to protect itself.
5. Fighting between Israelis and Palestinians (including terror attacks on Israeli civilians and retaliation by the Israeli military) has continued up to today.
Many Arab people today feel hostile towards the Jewish state of Israel and their control of the Islamic people of Palestine and angry at the U.S. for supporting Israel.
Iran
1.1953-Iran's leader Mohammed Mossadegh tried to take control of all oil companies in the country.
2. The U.S. CIA organized and financed the overthrow of Mossadegh until he was replaced by Shah Paklavi
3. The Shah uses torture and killing to keep control of his country but gives control of 40% of the country's oil to the U.S.
Many Iranian people are angry at the U.S. for intervening in their country just so the U.S. could get control of more oil.
The Cold War
Soviet Union (Communists)
Invade Dec. 1979
->Afghanistan War-(1978-1992)
->Islamic guerillas stop the Soviet Union
->The entire Soviet Union collapses 1989-1992
1980-USA
Weapons & $
To stop communism
Mujahideens
-Islamic guerillas
-Osama bin Laden
-Al Qaeda
Iran-Iraq War
1979-Ayatollah Khomeini overthrows the Shah and takes control of Iran
1980-1988-Long war between Iran and Iraq
Secret Weapons Deals U.S.A.
->U.S. is now known to have supported Saddam Hussein with weapons when he was using chemical weapons on his enemies and his own people.
->U.S. builds up Naval and Military presence in the region to protect Kuwait and its own interest
The Cold Warr (1991)
*Saddam Hussein is in debt after the Iran-Iraq War.
*Iraq invades Kuwait to take control of their oil.
Iraq invades in 1990
U.S. counterattack pushes Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait
*U.N. supports use of military force
*George Bush Sr. is President
*Saddam Hussein remains in power
*U.S. continues to build up military bases and naval ships in the Middle East Gulf region.
*U.S. establishes military bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to "stabilize the region" and protect its interests in oil.
*The U.S. and the Bush family become friendly with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.
Oklahoma City Bombing
1995
1. Terrorist attac on a federal government building in Oklahoma City
2. 168 people, including some children in a day care center, were killed
3. The worst terrorist attack in the United States, before the September 11th attack
Timothy McVeigh
1. Was sentenced to death for the bombing
2. He was a white, male American who said he carried out the bombing as revenge for a federal govt. raid on the Branch Dravidian Compound in Waco, Texas, in which 75 men, women and children were killed.
3. He and those who helped him were angry at the U.S. government
President Bush and the War in Iraq
Osama bin Laden and many Middle Easter Islamic people are angry at the U.S.
The U.S. ....
1. Supports Israel- A Jewish state which has taken over control of Palestine, an Islamic nation.
2. Has established military bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and has naval ships in the Persian Gulf.
3. Is using its military and economic power to control Islamic Middle Eastern people for its own benefit and for the benefit of its large oil companies
King Fahd of Saudi Arabia
1. He is just a puppet leader who is going along with U.S. wishes.
Modern U.S. culture
1. Spread in the middle east is destroying fundamental Islamic beliefs and practices.
U.S. Christians
1. Have no respect for Islamic people.
The U.S.
1. Has destroyed the lives of many Middle Eastern people through its support of Israel, the sanctions on Iraq and the Iraq wars
Preemption-The "Bush Doctrine"
1. The U.S will never allow its military supremacy to be challenged as it was during the Cold War
a. U.S. hegemony- the U.S. will seek to keep its place as the dominant power in the world.
2. Countries that threaten the U.S. with terrorists acts or by building up weapons of mass destruction will be dealt with preemptively
a.The U.S. will not wait for another terrorist attack. The U.S. will use its military to attack other countries before they have attacked us.
3.The U.S. will use military force and economic power to change countries into democracies around the world.
4. The U.S. will disregard the U.N. and take unilateral military action if necessary
Problems in Iraq leading up to the September 11th Attack
1992
->After Saddam Hussein loses the gulf war, the United Nations demands that he destroy his stockpile of weapons of mass destruction (WMD's-chemical and biological weapons)
->Saddam Hussein does not comply completely
->The U.N. requires that weapons inspectors be allowed into Iraq to see proof that the WMD's have been destroyed.
->The United Nations starts economic sanctions on Iraq until Saddam Hussein complies completely. ->No nation will buy Iraq's oil
->Iraq has very little money to support its people. Saddam Hussein builds palaces for himself. -> An estimated 5000 children die each month in Iraq because there is not enough food and medical treatment.
Sept. 11th, 2001
->Al Qaeda terrorists led by Osama bin Laden are angry at U.S. control in the Middle East -> Attack the World Trade Center and the Pentagon->3000 people killed in the United States
October 2001
->President Bush attacks the Taliban government in Afghanistan
Sept. 11, 2001
*Terrorist attacks on the U.S.
*Pres. Bush states: "We will make no distinctions bewteen the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them."
Sept. 15, 2001
*Bush Administration decides to attack the Taliban government in Afghanistan and Al Qaeda training camps there.
Sept. 20, 2001
*Pres. bush: "Any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime."
October 2001
*U.S. invades Afghanistan to remove Taliban govt.
Jan 2002
*Pres. Bush, State of the Union Address Iran, Iraq and North Korea are countries that are hostile to the U.S., support terrorism or are seeking to build up WMD's. They constitute an "Axis of Evil"
Sept. 12, 2002
Pres. Bush speaks before the U.N., saying it must be tough on Iraq, or it will be a useless organization
Oct. 10, 2002
*Congress votes to give President Bush authority to take preemptive military action against Iraq, when and how he feels necessary
Vote: 302-133; 77-23
Feb. 14, 2003
*U.N. weapons inspectors indicate progress is being made on Iraq's cooperation
Feb. 22, 2003
*U.N. wepaons inspectors order Iraq to destroy all long range missiles
Feb. 24, 2003
*The U.S., Great Britain and Spain submit a proposal to the U.N. Security Council stating that Iraq has failed in its last chance to comply with Resolution 1441.
*France, Germany and Russia submit a counter proposal: the weapons inspections should be continued and intensified.
March 1, 2003
*Iraq begons destroying some long range missiles
March 7, 2003
*Hans Blix, Chief Weapons Inspector requests more time.
March 12, 2003
*New York and 150 U.S. cities pass resolutions opposing preemptive/unilateral military action in Iraq
March 14, 2003
*The U.S. and Great Britain can get only 4 nations on the Security Council to support a military invasion of Iraq. They need all 15 members to get U.N. support.
March 17, 2003
*Great Britain says all diplomatic efforts with Iraq have ended. Weapons inspectors are ordered to leave Iraq. President Bush gives Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war.
March 19, 2003
*The U.S., Great Britain, and a few other nations begin the invasion of Iraq called Operation Iraqi Freedom.
March 20, 2003
*Heavy aerial bombing of key targets in Iraq. This is called a "decapitation" attack (targeting the government and military leaders and their headquarters first). This bombing is meant to "shock and awe" the Iraqi people.
April 9, 2003
*U.S. troops take over and control Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.
May 1, 2003
*The U.S. and Great Britain control Iraq
Iraqi Insurgent Resistance
August 2002
*Vice President Cheney predicts that the streets of Baghdad will "erupt in joy" when U.S. troops arrive.
March-May 2003
*Saddam Hussein regular military is quickly defeated.
May 203
*Civil disorder, arson, looting. Not enough U.S. troops in Iraq to keep order after U.S. takeover.
July
*Sabotage attacks on oil pipelines, power lines, telecommunication line. U.S. claims that killing/capturing key leaders from Saddam Hussein's government will end the resistance
*U.S. troops killed by mines, ambushes and suicide bombers. The U.S. admits it is being confronted by guerilla resistance. U.S. claims it is just local pockets of resistance
*Attacks on U.S. soldiders in every region of Iraq-Sabotage of oil and power lines in every region of Iraq. U.S. must admit it is fighting an organized nationwide resistance movement.
*Threats of a Civil War between Sunni Moslems (who supported Saddam Hussein) and Shi'a Moslems.
Insurgent Strategy in Iraq
*Osama bin Laden
*Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations
IRAQ
*Baath party Loyalists (Supporters of Saddam Hussein)
*Sunni Muslims
*Other anti-U.S. Iraqis
SYRIA
*"Foreign terrorists"
*People who want to stop the U.S. from using its military power to control other coutries
*People willing to die in a holy Islamic war, jihad, against the U.S.
Insurgent Goals
*Make the U.S. strategy of using military power to control other countries unworkable
*Use the same hidden guerilla warfare that was used in Afghanistan
*Use suicide bombers- people willing to die in a religious war-jihad
*U.S. military power was stopped in Vietnam
*Soviet military power was stopped in Afghanistan
Insurgent Strategy in Iraq
Destroy Iraq's Economy and infrastructure
*Sabotage oil pipelines, power lines
Destabilize the new Iraqi government
*Kill high ranking officials; sabotage elections; destroy government building
*Try to start a civil war between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Iraq
Cause American Opinion to turn against the war
*Continual attacks on the U.S. troops
*Ambush supply trucks-destroy supplies
*Loss of life and high expense will cause Americans to grow tired of the war
Attack U.S. allies: anyone helping the U.S.
*Suicide bombers attack police headquarters, Iraqi security forces, recruits.
*Kidnappings of Japanese, Chinese, Italians, Filipinos, Australians and other from country with troops supporting the U.S.
--Threaten to kill hostages if troops aren't removed
*Attacks on the Turkish Consulate, Jordanian Embassy, U.N. Headquarters in Baghdad, U.S. Red Cross and other headquarters in Iraq.
*Attack, or kill, or kidnap anyone who is supporting U.S. troops or the new Iraqi government.
--Including contractors, aid workers; Suicide bombs in busy marketplaces.
President George W. Bush
Foreign and Domestic Policy in the war on Terror 2001-2006
Praise:
-The United States and the U.S. economy remained strong through 2007.
-The U.S. economy suffered a blow after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, but recovered.
-The U.S. is building democracy in Iraq.
-Life in America has returned to normal after the Sept, 11th attacks.
-There have been no more major terrorist attacks on the U.S. soil since Sept. 11th
Criticism:
-Intelligence information regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was faulty.
-Did the Bush Administration mislead the public on the presence of WMD's in order to start the War in Iraq?
-The Bush administration has alienated our allies through our unilateral, preemptive attack of Iraq.
-U.S. troop levels in Iraq were far too low.
---The Bush Adminstration has violated the rights of U.S. citizens and Arab prisoners in conducting the war on terror.
Background/History
1. 1948-U.S. supports the new Jewish nation of Israel.
2. Israel forms its new country in Palestine which was a predominantly Moslem/Arab country.
3. Palestinians fight to kick Israelis out
4. Israel takes control of all of Palestine to protect itself.
5. Fighting between Israelis and Palestinians (including terror attacks on Israeli civilians and retaliation by the Israeli military) has continued up to today.
Many Arab people today feel hostile towards the Jewish state of Israel and their control of the Islamic people of Palestine and angry at the U.S. for supporting Israel.
Iran
1.1953-Iran's leader Mohammed Mossadegh tried to take control of all oil companies in the country.
2. The U.S. CIA organized and financed the overthrow of Mossadegh until he was replaced by Shah Paklavi
3. The Shah uses torture and killing to keep control of his country but gives control of 40% of the country's oil to the U.S.
Many Iranian people are angry at the U.S. for intervening in their country just so the U.S. could get control of more oil.
The Cold War
Soviet Union (Communists)
Invade Dec. 1979
->Afghanistan War-(1978-1992)
->Islamic guerillas stop the Soviet Union
->The entire Soviet Union collapses 1989-1992
1980-USA
Weapons & $
To stop communism
Mujahideens
-Islamic guerillas
-Osama bin Laden
-Al Qaeda
Iran-Iraq War
1979-Ayatollah Khomeini overthrows the Shah and takes control of Iran
1980-1988-Long war between Iran and Iraq
Secret Weapons Deals U.S.A.
->U.S. is now known to have supported Saddam Hussein with weapons when he was using chemical weapons on his enemies and his own people.
->U.S. builds up Naval and Military presence in the region to protect Kuwait and its own interest
The Cold Warr (1991)
*Saddam Hussein is in debt after the Iran-Iraq War.
*Iraq invades Kuwait to take control of their oil.
Iraq invades in 1990
U.S. counterattack pushes Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait
*U.N. supports use of military force
*George Bush Sr. is President
*Saddam Hussein remains in power
*U.S. continues to build up military bases and naval ships in the Middle East Gulf region.
*U.S. establishes military bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to "stabilize the region" and protect its interests in oil.
*The U.S. and the Bush family become friendly with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.
Oklahoma City Bombing
1995
1. Terrorist attac on a federal government building in Oklahoma City
2. 168 people, including some children in a day care center, were killed
3. The worst terrorist attack in the United States, before the September 11th attack
Timothy McVeigh
1. Was sentenced to death for the bombing
2. He was a white, male American who said he carried out the bombing as revenge for a federal govt. raid on the Branch Dravidian Compound in Waco, Texas, in which 75 men, women and children were killed.
3. He and those who helped him were angry at the U.S. government
President Bush and the War in Iraq
Osama bin Laden and many Middle Easter Islamic people are angry at the U.S.
The U.S. ....
1. Supports Israel- A Jewish state which has taken over control of Palestine, an Islamic nation.
2. Has established military bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and has naval ships in the Persian Gulf.
3. Is using its military and economic power to control Islamic Middle Eastern people for its own benefit and for the benefit of its large oil companies
King Fahd of Saudi Arabia
1. He is just a puppet leader who is going along with U.S. wishes.
Modern U.S. culture
1. Spread in the middle east is destroying fundamental Islamic beliefs and practices.
U.S. Christians
1. Have no respect for Islamic people.
The U.S.
1. Has destroyed the lives of many Middle Eastern people through its support of Israel, the sanctions on Iraq and the Iraq wars
Preemption-The "Bush Doctrine"
1. The U.S will never allow its military supremacy to be challenged as it was during the Cold War
a. U.S. hegemony- the U.S. will seek to keep its place as the dominant power in the world.
2. Countries that threaten the U.S. with terrorists acts or by building up weapons of mass destruction will be dealt with preemptively
a.The U.S. will not wait for another terrorist attack. The U.S. will use its military to attack other countries before they have attacked us.
3.The U.S. will use military force and economic power to change countries into democracies around the world.
4. The U.S. will disregard the U.N. and take unilateral military action if necessary
Problems in Iraq leading up to the September 11th Attack
1992
->After Saddam Hussein loses the gulf war, the United Nations demands that he destroy his stockpile of weapons of mass destruction (WMD's-chemical and biological weapons)
->Saddam Hussein does not comply completely
->The U.N. requires that weapons inspectors be allowed into Iraq to see proof that the WMD's have been destroyed.
->The United Nations starts economic sanctions on Iraq until Saddam Hussein complies completely. ->No nation will buy Iraq's oil
->Iraq has very little money to support its people. Saddam Hussein builds palaces for himself. -> An estimated 5000 children die each month in Iraq because there is not enough food and medical treatment.
Sept. 11th, 2001
->Al Qaeda terrorists led by Osama bin Laden are angry at U.S. control in the Middle East -> Attack the World Trade Center and the Pentagon->3000 people killed in the United States
October 2001
->President Bush attacks the Taliban government in Afghanistan
Sept. 11, 2001
*Terrorist attacks on the U.S.
*Pres. Bush states: "We will make no distinctions bewteen the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them."
Sept. 15, 2001
*Bush Administration decides to attack the Taliban government in Afghanistan and Al Qaeda training camps there.
Sept. 20, 2001
*Pres. bush: "Any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime."
October 2001
*U.S. invades Afghanistan to remove Taliban govt.
Jan 2002
*Pres. Bush, State of the Union Address Iran, Iraq and North Korea are countries that are hostile to the U.S., support terrorism or are seeking to build up WMD's. They constitute an "Axis of Evil"
Sept. 12, 2002
Pres. Bush speaks before the U.N., saying it must be tough on Iraq, or it will be a useless organization
Oct. 10, 2002
*Congress votes to give President Bush authority to take preemptive military action against Iraq, when and how he feels necessary
Vote: 302-133; 77-23
Feb. 14, 2003
*U.N. weapons inspectors indicate progress is being made on Iraq's cooperation
Feb. 22, 2003
*U.N. wepaons inspectors order Iraq to destroy all long range missiles
Feb. 24, 2003
*The U.S., Great Britain and Spain submit a proposal to the U.N. Security Council stating that Iraq has failed in its last chance to comply with Resolution 1441.
*France, Germany and Russia submit a counter proposal: the weapons inspections should be continued and intensified.
March 1, 2003
*Iraq begons destroying some long range missiles
March 7, 2003
*Hans Blix, Chief Weapons Inspector requests more time.
March 12, 2003
*New York and 150 U.S. cities pass resolutions opposing preemptive/unilateral military action in Iraq
March 14, 2003
*The U.S. and Great Britain can get only 4 nations on the Security Council to support a military invasion of Iraq. They need all 15 members to get U.N. support.
March 17, 2003
*Great Britain says all diplomatic efforts with Iraq have ended. Weapons inspectors are ordered to leave Iraq. President Bush gives Saddam Hussein and his sons 48 hours to leave Iraq or face war.
March 19, 2003
*The U.S., Great Britain, and a few other nations begin the invasion of Iraq called Operation Iraqi Freedom.
March 20, 2003
*Heavy aerial bombing of key targets in Iraq. This is called a "decapitation" attack (targeting the government and military leaders and their headquarters first). This bombing is meant to "shock and awe" the Iraqi people.
April 9, 2003
*U.S. troops take over and control Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.
May 1, 2003
*The U.S. and Great Britain control Iraq
Iraqi Insurgent Resistance
August 2002
*Vice President Cheney predicts that the streets of Baghdad will "erupt in joy" when U.S. troops arrive.
March-May 2003
*Saddam Hussein regular military is quickly defeated.
May 203
*Civil disorder, arson, looting. Not enough U.S. troops in Iraq to keep order after U.S. takeover.
July
*Sabotage attacks on oil pipelines, power lines, telecommunication line. U.S. claims that killing/capturing key leaders from Saddam Hussein's government will end the resistance
*U.S. troops killed by mines, ambushes and suicide bombers. The U.S. admits it is being confronted by guerilla resistance. U.S. claims it is just local pockets of resistance
*Attacks on U.S. soldiders in every region of Iraq-Sabotage of oil and power lines in every region of Iraq. U.S. must admit it is fighting an organized nationwide resistance movement.
*Threats of a Civil War between Sunni Moslems (who supported Saddam Hussein) and Shi'a Moslems.
Insurgent Strategy in Iraq
*Osama bin Laden
*Al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations
IRAQ
*Baath party Loyalists (Supporters of Saddam Hussein)
*Sunni Muslims
*Other anti-U.S. Iraqis
SYRIA
*"Foreign terrorists"
*People who want to stop the U.S. from using its military power to control other coutries
*People willing to die in a holy Islamic war, jihad, against the U.S.
Insurgent Goals
*Make the U.S. strategy of using military power to control other countries unworkable
*Use the same hidden guerilla warfare that was used in Afghanistan
*Use suicide bombers- people willing to die in a religious war-jihad
*U.S. military power was stopped in Vietnam
*Soviet military power was stopped in Afghanistan
Insurgent Strategy in Iraq
Destroy Iraq's Economy and infrastructure
*Sabotage oil pipelines, power lines
Destabilize the new Iraqi government
*Kill high ranking officials; sabotage elections; destroy government building
*Try to start a civil war between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Iraq
Cause American Opinion to turn against the war
*Continual attacks on the U.S. troops
*Ambush supply trucks-destroy supplies
*Loss of life and high expense will cause Americans to grow tired of the war
Attack U.S. allies: anyone helping the U.S.
*Suicide bombers attack police headquarters, Iraqi security forces, recruits.
*Kidnappings of Japanese, Chinese, Italians, Filipinos, Australians and other from country with troops supporting the U.S.
--Threaten to kill hostages if troops aren't removed
*Attacks on the Turkish Consulate, Jordanian Embassy, U.N. Headquarters in Baghdad, U.S. Red Cross and other headquarters in Iraq.
*Attack, or kill, or kidnap anyone who is supporting U.S. troops or the new Iraqi government.
--Including contractors, aid workers; Suicide bombs in busy marketplaces.
President George W. Bush
Foreign and Domestic Policy in the war on Terror 2001-2006
Praise:
-The United States and the U.S. economy remained strong through 2007.
-The U.S. economy suffered a blow after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, but recovered.
-The U.S. is building democracy in Iraq.
-Life in America has returned to normal after the Sept, 11th attacks.
-There have been no more major terrorist attacks on the U.S. soil since Sept. 11th
Criticism:
-Intelligence information regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq was faulty.
-Did the Bush Administration mislead the public on the presence of WMD's in order to start the War in Iraq?
-The Bush administration has alienated our allies through our unilateral, preemptive attack of Iraq.
-U.S. troop levels in Iraq were far too low.
---The Bush Adminstration has violated the rights of U.S. citizens and Arab prisoners in conducting the war on terror.
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