The Core Assignment Of This Course Is A Documented Re 779130

The Core Assignment Of This Course Is A Documented Research Paper 150

The core assignment of this course is a documented research paper (words in length = approx. 6 pages double spaced, 12-point font). The essay should support a thesis statement with information gained from research or investigation. The paper will not be just a report presenting information, but will be an essay that carefully examines and presents your own historical interpretation of the topic you have chosen and your interpretation of the information you have gathered. The paper may include consideration of problems and solutions, define key terms, or refute arguments against your thesis statement.

It will be important to choose a topic of interest to you. Approach this assignment with an open and skeptical mind, then form an opinion based on what you have discovered. You must suspend belief while you are investigating and let the discoveries shape your opinion. (This is a thesis-finding approach.) Once you have found your thesis, write the paper to support it. You will use some of the following critical thinking skills in this process: Choosing an appropriate topic, limiting the topic, gathering information, summarizing sources, analyzing and evaluating sources, defining key terms, synthesizing information, comparing and contrasting sources, testing a thesis, making an historical argument, using refutation, amassing support for a position, documenting sources.

Because this may be a longer essay than you have written before and a complex process is involved, it is recommended that you complete this paper using the following steps: Choose a topic related to U.S. history after 1877 (Chapters 16-28) that you would truly like to explore and that you are willing to spend some time on. Your chosen topic should be focused. Pose a question that you really want to answer. You may want to begin with more than one topic in mind. Do some preliminary reading on the topic(s).

You may begin with the textbook, then further explore the information available. Refine your topic. Summarize your topic, your interest in the topic, the questions you want to answer, and a hypothesis you want to test. Gather information from a variety of sources. Use a minimum of four sources for your paper, and at least one must be a primary source. Examples of primary sources are ones that are used in our discussion forums 2 - 8; they are sources that are contemporary to the times under investigation. An example of a secondary source is our textbook, though the textbook also contains excerpts of primary sources, which you may use as a source in your essay. Outline the results of your research and then plan for your essay (note you are not required to submit the outline). Write the final draft and be sure to include a Works Cited List; be sure to use the correct MLA documentation style.

Paper For Above instruction

The topic of the U.S. War on Terrorism has been one of the most significant and complex challenges in recent American history. Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the United States embarked on an extensive military and ideological campaign to combat terrorism. This research paper aims to examine the origins, developments, and consequences of the War on Terrorism, analyzing how it has shaped U.S. domestic and foreign policies, and evaluating the implications for civil liberties, international relations, and global security.

Understanding the War on Terrorism requires an exploration of its primary motives and the geopolitical context that led to its initiation. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon catalyzed a national security overhaul, leading to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 aimed at dismantling al-Qaeda, and subsequently, the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The primary sources for this exploration include official government documents, speeches by President George W. Bush, and reports by intelligence agencies. These sources reveal the official justification for military interventions, emphasizing the need to eradicate terrorist networks and promote global security.

Secondary sources such as scholarly articles, books, and analyses provide deeper insights into the strategic, ethical, and political challenges posed by the War on Terrorism. For example, Loretta Napoleoni’s detailed analysis suggests that the global war on terror catalyzed the evolution of terrorist networks and necessitated a reevaluation of counterinsurgency strategies. Conversely, critics argue that the war has led to a deterioration of civil liberties, as legislative measures like the USA PATRIOT Act have expanded government surveillance powers, often at the expense of individual privacy rights.

The impact of the War on Terrorism extends beyond military conflicts to influence international law and diplomacy. The U.S. unilateral approach, exemplified by the invasion of Iraq without broad international support, strained relations with traditional allies and raised questions about the legality of preemptive military strikes. These actions prompted debates within the international community regarding sovereignty, human rights, and the vigor of international institutions like the United Nations.

Moreover, this research investigates the counterproductive consequences of certain strategies employed during the war, such as the use of enhanced interrogation techniques and indefinite detention at facilities like Guantanamo Bay. Evidence from human rights organizations highlights widespread abuses, fueling anti-American sentiment worldwide and complicating efforts to build effective, trust-based counterterrorism alliances. These issues underscore the importance of evaluating the ethical implications of military and intelligence policies adopted in the War on Terrorism.

In conclusion, the U.S. War on Terrorism has reshaped national security policies, influenced global geopolitics, and challenged moral perspectives on the use of force and civil liberties. While initially justified as necessary to protect Americans from imminent threats, the long-term effects have sparked ongoing debate about the balance between security and liberty, the legality of military interventions, and the global reach of counterterrorism efforts. Future policies should consider these complex issues by balancing effective security measures with respect for international law and human rights, thus ensuring that the fight against terrorism upholds American values and promotes international cooperation.

References

• Baker, Peter. (2006). "The Politics of the War on Terror." The New York Times.
• Dishon, Gregory. (2013). The War on Terrorism and Civil Liberties: The Dilemma of Security and Freedom. Routledge.
• Gordon, Michael R. (2004). The Iraq War: A Military and Political Analysis. Yale University Press.
• Napoleoni, Loretta. (2005). Terror Incorporated: Tracing the Money Behind the Terrorist Threat. Seven Stories Press.
• Rashid, Ahmed. (2008). Descent into Chaos: The U.S. and the Failure of Nation Building in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia. Viking.
• United States Department of State. (2002). National Strategy for Combating Terrorism. U.S. Government Printing Office.
• Vogel, Kenneth P. (2012). "Post-9/11 Security Policies and Civil Liberties." Harvard Law Review.
• Walzer, Michael. (2004). Just and Unjust Wars. Basic Books.
• Woodward, Bob. (2004). Plan of Attack. Simon & Schuster.
• Zedalis, Robert J. (2006). The United States and International Law: The Challenge of Countering Terrorism. Praeger Security International.