In chapter 7, the mood at Devon School becomes more somber. The students engage in unusual activities, such as replacing apple pickers who have gone to war and removing snow from the train tracks so the troop train can get through. The young men are no longer sheltered from the war; rather, they are asked to do their part in support of it.
The author reflects what was actually going on at schools across America during World War II. Most students supported the war effort.
Use the Internet and appropriate reference materials to research student or the general population’s reaction to wars since World War II. How did students at the high school and college level react to the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the war in Iraq and Afghanistan? How did they deal with propaganda, protest, and the outcome of he war?
In a short essay (no more than 750 words), detail the differences and what you determine are the reasons for the changes in attitude toward war? Post by 3 p.m. on Tuesday and don't forget to respond to a classmates' response in the same post. Happy posting!
Sam Hastings
ReplyDelete3/12/12
Period 5
Question of the Week
War is a beast that has killed harmed and prevented many wonderful things on this earth, It has taken away poets, writers, men, women, children and knowledge. It ravages anything in its path fueled by men’s hatred toward one another. From this war many different opinions form, most of which are very close to peoples hearts and it can be very hurtful for people if their idea is attacked. Over the years war has changed in the hearts and minds of many Americans. It has changed especially in the eyes of the high school and college students in America, Students now believe that war is a killer that must be stopped and Peace is the only right way to live, yet in WWII we can clearly see students ready willing and even jumping into the war with both feet. This is an extremely interesting fact and I believe I have the reason why this happened.
During WWII, especially how it is depicted in “A Separate Peace” there were very few students who apposed the war effort. We can see this when the students all go and help to shovel the tracks so that a troop train can get through. We also see this when Gene and Brinker want to enlist, even though they never actually go through with the plan, this shows that they are still in favor of the war effort. The place in the text which I believe is the most influential in telling us that most people were in favor of the War effort is when Leper enlists. It shows that both the popular athletic kids as well as the outsiders support the army and the war effort. The fact that most people in American schools are in favor of the war effort is an extremely good sign and it is a trademark of American culture pre-1960’s.
The mentality that we have had in recent years toward war is one of hatred and pointlessness. I believe this mentality sprung from the Vietnam War. It was the first time in history that people challenged the president and his decisions regarding a war. The sixties gave birth to a generation of idealists, these idealists have now spread their ideas to younger generations, the morals of these idealists are that war is always pointless and that peace is the best option. Many people now dismiss any war out of hand as pointless, however in many cases war is extremely necessary. These idealists have brought many brought many wonderful things to the world such as music, education reform and a kinder planet. The United States military is alive and well, however only 1% of Americans serve in the military and if we have some kind of World War three, I doubt there will be the same enthusiasm to join the military as there was in the 1940’s.
The idea of war and joining the army has changed drastically since WWII, war was always a savage thing but it was considered necessary until recently. This is a good thing for the human race in general but it could also be detrimental to the health of America if we find ourselves in a large war. This is how our country’s perception of war has changed since the 1940’s.
Good job. You really put in a lot of work into this. I really liked your detail in the third paragraph. Those metaphors like "War is a beast that has killed" were great.
DeleteGreat Job
DeleteYou really did well in connecting the Devon Students to the 1940s students. You could explain what opinions students have now and why. great job. You are amazing.
JIN
John Kotz
ReplyDelete3/12/12
English
I, as well as many others, believe that World War 2, like all wars, wasn't at all a success. Even though we came out winners, how many people died? How many people important to the economy and society, well know or not, died as a result of the war, or any war? Most people would agree to say that the World Wars were not good. In fact, some people say that it was the worst war in all of history. As the digital history site says: “World War II killed more people, involved more nations, and cost more money than any other war in history. Altogether, 70 million people served in the armed forces during the war and 17 million combatants died.” There are mixed reactions to the other wars. Some people say that the wars were completely justified for their actions, and others were in complete protest of them.
The idea of war has changed a lot, but as it evolved, people became more and more against wars. Even in the setting of the Separate Piece, the kids at Devon were very attracted to the idea of war and most of them couldn't wait to enlist. For many of the wars today, with new and improved technology, people in the army have a very small chance of surviving, so that attraction to war diminished.
Good job! I really liked how you incorporated facts into your response. You may want to relate your point about new technology to specific wars in the past other than WWII and talk about how adolescents in particular were affected by it.
DeleteNice job. I thought you did a good job of including statistics and facts. I think you could do a better job of referencing A Separate Peace however and teenagers in general as well.
DeleteI really liked the connection to how excited teens were to enlist compared to their reactions now. I think you could go into other wars a little more like the Koran War, the Vietnam War, and Afganistan.
DeleteStudent's opinions on wars have changed greatly since the 1940's, when A Separate Peace takes place. Students, especially at the high school and college levels, had good opinions of war until after World War II. I believe that this is because of all of the terrible things that happened in World War II. People had never seen such destruction, or such cruelty from a nation, and this brought students to be opposed to all of the horrible violence.
ReplyDeleteI believe that students were ready for war, and completely supporting it, because nobody really knew what was happening in Europe. They had heard of a man named Hitler, but never completely knew what he was doing. This is because you couldn't just look up something on the internet about what was happening, or see pictures of the violence in their newspapers. War used to be very unknown for most people, except for the people that actually experienced it. Also, no influential people spoke out against war. Everybody was too scared to speak out against it, because it seemed like everybody was supporting it. In the book, Gene never sees anything that is against war. All he sees are these gung ho posters saying things like I want you to join the war. All the propaganda was positive, and nobody ever even thought of putting up something saying war is bad. The boys in the book only view one type of propaganda, and that is steering them down the war path. They are being told that war is glorious, and that they are made to fight. In the 1940's, most people just didn't know any better.
All this changed in the Korean War, when students began to hear that war wasn't so great from war veterans. They hear what a terrible man Hitler was, and they hear about the Holocaust. They hear about what war is really like, and how terrible it is to kill another man. During the Vietnam war, people realized that war is really a gruesome thing, and large protests gathered. Many students joined these protests, and some protests got violent because people were so vehemently against the war. Students wore black armbands to show that they were against the war. After the draft ended, students who were not drafted did not feel obligated to join the war effort, because nobody else was obligated to join. Also, some really influential people like John Lenin spoke out openly against the war, and many people listened to them. People would gather from all over to hear speeches from important people. In the Gulf War, many people were against it because soldiers had to kill civilians, and people who were not even part of the war died from bombs, and other explosions. Propaganda that was against the war also started to come out, saying things like war is bad. Never had it been televised that war was actually an awful thing. All kinds of people had access to this information on the radio, in newspapers, on television, and just on flyers around where you live. Now, during the war in Afghanistan, many people are against it, because they can easily find out what is going on, and see all of the terrible things that are happening.
Since people's opinion on war has changed so much, many people still do no know what to think about war. But I think that students' opinion on war has definitely gone down since the 1940's. People openly speak out against war, and because of free speech, nobody can tell them that they are wrong. This could either be a good thing, or a bad thing for America, but I think that it is important that people have an opinion.
I think you prove a great point here. You really elaborate what and why people think what they think. You have also stated the outcomes of what happened in some of the protests. "Many students joined these protests, and some protests got violent because people were so vehemently against the war. Students wore black armbands to show that they were against the war." I think this line is great because it shows how students reacted to wars after WWII. Great Job.
DeleteTo most people nowadays, war is an awful thing. War kills loved ones and it is extremely dangerous. The average American does not think about the duty they are doing for their country, or that they will be immortalized when their name is written down as one of the soldiers who fought in a war for their country. They will consider the danger and the risk they are taking and the possible sorrow they may cause others. They really think about what they are doing instead of just bravely marching in to enlist. Today's teenagers are more hesitant than teenagers from WWII, or even The Vietnam War; they shy away from even engaging in activities that would help the soldiers much less participating in the war.
ReplyDeleteIn 1942, many of the boys in the Devon School are either drafted into the war or enlist, but either way are more in favor of war than kids are now. Going into war was seen as very patriotic and brave. It was looked upon as fulfilling your duty to your country. Now, war is a scary word that repels people away from it. No one wants to be part of something that your life is put at risk just to participate in. The appeal of it that so many people saw from the '40s and '50s is gone.
In the book A Separate Peace by John Knowles, set in 1942 during WWII, the teenagers were much less doubtful about helping out with tasks that needed to be done because of the war. The students were not required to, but most did help shovel the snow off the train tracks so that the trains driving soldiers can pass through. When the Devon School boys see the teenagers inside the train, they are described as appearing to be having fun. The idea of war is idealized in this time, and to help these soldiers seems like a good idea because war seems to be exciting and new and an adventure; instead of brutal, violent, and depressing. The closer to the present the war takes place in, the less enthusiasm there is about helping out something that is extremely violent because teenagers are repelled away from this hated event.
All in all, teenagers are drawn away from the idea of participating in any way in war. This is the opposite of what was thought in the '40s and '50s; that it was heroic to be a soldier and that you would dishonor your country if you didn't. People now are more scared and timid of war than they used to be. There has been a huge change from the 1940s to now of teenagers attitudes towards war.
Good essay. I really liked how you described the boys at devon and how they were "having fun" shoveling the snow. I agree that people's opinion on war has gone down. I also like how you described war in the '40s and '50s, and how you talked about the wars back then.
ReplyDeleteYou have good examples from wars. That adds strength to your essay. Your conclusion is very strong.I can tell that you put effort into this, and it has produced a great essay!
ReplyDeleteWar is and always has been a significant part of life due to its detrimental effects on peoples physical and emotional well being. However, the effects of war have been more influential to adolescents during some points in history than at others. Subconsciously, the younger generations have grown less engaged in the war because of significant cultural and developmental factors, changing their attitudes toward the fighting as well.
ReplyDeleteIn A Separate Piece by John Knowles, the characters are hugely influenced by World War II, becoming more somber as more of the war’s presence in America becomes reality. However, the boys are still much more enthusiastic toward participating in fighting than we are today. This is shown when the boys at Devon willingly engage in war-supporting activities such as shoveling snow off of the train tracks and replacing apple pickers. Even though this was voluntary, most students decided to help out, which emphasizes the support they had for World War II. Their engagement in the war is also very obvious from the fact that the vast majority of the students attending Devon enlist in the war when they get to their senior year. At this time in history, enlistment in the war was much more naturally embedded in boys’ life plans than it is today. Even though the boys learn about the brutality of the war from newspapers and gossip, most don’t take the time to think about what would happen if they didn’t decide to join the war. For this reason, it was much harder during World War II to question the traditions of boys at the high school and college level because it was almost assumed that you would defend your country.
During wars such as the Gulf War, students were very focused on the war because of the wide media exposure. Many Americans were also participating in the war, so having friends and relatives in it made adolescents even more interested in becoming a part of it. In the Vietnam War, adolescents played a huge role in ending the violence by contributing to the protesting. This emphasizes how strongly they felt about ending the violence and the action they were willing to take to do so. However, this enthusiasm differs greatly from that of the students in Knowles’ story because they are instead trying to stop the war rather than support it. As war technology advances by the day, people that participate in war are more likely to be killed and it’s become increasingly alarming to hear about. People are well aware of this, and have transformed into a much more opposed population regarding war because of this.
Furthermore, the surrounding culture has altered the way that younger people feel about the war, and has caused a drastic decline in the willingness to fight. There’s developed a dramatic contrast between the boys’ traditional plan to patriotically join World War II in the 1940’s and the way that high school and college age kids currently look at the violence of war with a doubtful eye. Along with the change of attitude, war is also becoming more frightening, so one can only speculate as to how far our standpoint will shift in another 70 years.
You did a nice job give certain examples of adolescent involvement in the wars, and contrasting it to those in Knowles' story, by giving specific examples. Your speculation at the end, thinking about war in another 70 years was interesting, and a great way to wrap up the piece.
DeleteWar has been a driving force in America since even before its birth as a country. Without it, it is possible none of us would be here. Yet despite its importance at rare events, war seems to be displayed negatively in our society. It has been highly criticized, and many people question the necessity of it in any event. Yet just seventy years ago, men young and old were flooding to enlist and serve their country in World War II. Culturally, much has changed since that time not-so-long-ago, leading to changes in the country’s views on war.
ReplyDelete“A Separate Peace” is set in the 40s, when many young men would enlist after they graduated high school. School curriculums were changed to include training for the war, and programs were added, like the Summer Session at Devon. “For this was the Summer Session, just established to keep up with the pace of the war” (15). Enlisting was the question on every boy’s mind. When Brinker claims he’s going to enlist one day, Gene contemplates it himself. “I think I had been waiting for a long time for someone to say this so that I could entertain these decisive words myself” (100). Everyone helps out with the war effort. On a day off, the boys help shovel out a railroad covered with snow. “I... trudged off to help shovel out New England for the war” (96). Everyone gladly contributes their part for the war.
However in today’s world, for most of America’s graduating class, enlisting in the military is not a top priority, or even a real thought. Less than 5% of the population of high school graduates in each states typically join the armed forces. However, in the 1940s, the armed forces represented about 9 percent of the population and about 56% of the men eligible for military service (America’s Military Population). A big decline in military support can be seen from the Vietnam war. Leaders in society, such as Joan Baez, started speaking out and organizing protests that spread nationwide. People were able to see the effects and horrors of the war themselves, instead of just hearing about it on the radio. Humans adapt their views, depending on what others around them think, and as others on television all seemed to be protesting the war, more and more students began protesting as well, adapting this negative view of the war. This negative press became set into America’s head, and now, as the 60s children raise their own children, is passed down to the next generation.
High school and college students of today have no where near the involvement in war that those of the 40s did. Part of this is because of the less positive take on war society has today, and part of it is because the war is less prevalent now than it was seventy years ago. Teenagers have changed their views on war to reflect changes in society over the years.
(above facts were from: http://www.deomi.org/contribute/DiversityMgmt/documents/AmericasMilitaryPopulation2004.pdf)
This is a really good response. I like your use of facts from the book and other sources. You supported your essay with details, but you didn't fill it with too much information. I also like your introduction; it's a good lead-in to the rest of the essay.
DeleteThe modern society is far more protective than the 1940s. Now, the idea of war scares many citizens because they work for peace. Peace is taught to be the most ideal way of living but war contradicts this idea. This naturally makes citizens afraid. Although the opinion of war is bad now, the past it is very different
ReplyDeleteA Separate Peace by John Knowles, shows the attitudes towards the war in the 1940s before WWII. The book shows that the students are willing to enlist in the army because it shows a sense of bravery and patriotism. Leper, who is a timid and an outcast in the book, enlists in the army. The students also supported the war by shoveling the snow off the train tracks so that the trains, driving soldiers, could pass. During the 1940s the students thought that if they did not enlist, they were dishonoring their country
Now, students do not have to think about participating in the war. There can be other ways to show that someone is patriotic. Such as, working for a better future economically, politically, and socially. The reactions towards war from students have changed drastically since the 1940s .
War has always had an important influence on the lives of American citizens. Over time, many different emotions have appeared in response to these battles, ranging from supportive to aggressively opposed. In A Separate Peace, by John Knowles, the students use patriotism almost like a reflex in response to World War II. Finny says, “I think we ought to bomb the daylights out of them” (26) when referring to the enemy. Supporting America comes naturally to the students at Devon Boarding School. A non-patriotic student is considered an outsider, not an activist. Young adults are drafted for the war, but many still enlist before they’re old enough to be forced. Overall, the student opinion of the war is overwhelmingly positive. This reaction to World War II reflects how most students responded to war in the 1940s.
ReplyDeleteOnce the Korean War began, however, the first negative opinions started to emerge among students. Suddenly, patriotism wasn’t a natural response, it was a choice. Students realized there were options for their lives other than fighting. From this point on, war was met with more and more opposition, leading up to present day. Currently, American citizens enlist in the army as much out of necessity as support of their country. Statistics show that once the unemployment rate reaches about 10 percent, the military sees a 3 to 4 percent increase in its enlistments. Therefore, the popularity of the army has decreased significantly since World War II.
One of the main causes of this new aversion to war is a decrease of propaganda. At the time of World War II, the media and government largely controlled information. Also, schools like the Devon Boarding School were centered on military training and support. Students didn’t know anything different. News was strictly and easily censored to form negative images of the enemy and inaccurately cheerful ones of the army. When discussing Leper, the first among the Gene’s class to enlist, the students “all secretly hoped that Leper… was as heroic as [they] said” (127). They never imagined he could be miserable. However, Leper returns partially insane from the war, and Gene is shocked from his dreams of Leper’s glorious exploits into recognizing the reality of the war. Like in this situation, negative information became harder to contain. As technology advanced, the government’s hold on information flow slipped. Today, it’s impossible to keep students from making fully informed decisions for themselves. Therefore, the percentage of students joining the army has decreased steadily over time.
Very nicely done Olly. I really liked how you talked about patriotism "as a reflex" it was a very nice image. I also agree with you that technology and media have play a part in the truth about war coming out and spoiling the public's interest in it. It was nicely written and had a nice flow.
Delete-Owen
The main differences in opinion of students between WWII and successive wars was a general indifference and dislike of the wars and the student’s part in the war effort. During the time of the classic wars like the Revolutionary War and WWI and even WWII the war was a nationally supported patriotic effort to fight and conquer a dehumanized enemy. Even if someone or a group disliked the war effort for whatever reason the majority of people still showed patriotism and supported the war as much as they could. This however has changed after WWII when photography and radio made news of the calamities and casualties of war more well know people began to rethink what a war meant.
ReplyDeleteThe availability of media to the public also helped humanise the enemy the country was fighting. This and the knowledge of the loss of life involved in war lead many people, including students susceptible to a draft, to oppose war. By the time of the Korean War in 1950 there was little support of the American decision to continue its occupation of South Korea and engage in fighting with North Korea. A similar but much more vigorous response was formed at the commencement of and over the course of the Vietnam War. There were many protests over the US involvement in other areas of Vietnam from the end of WWII until the beginning of the war there. The first major student protest to any war was in 1964, in fact there were several protests spread across the nation. These protests were in response to the length of the war and its economical effect on the US as well as drafting of many of the students. Students who maintained high grades and enough credits in college were able to avoid the draft for a college deferment. Many students were aware of the tortures of war from parents and relatives as well as the abundant media. This lead to a dislike of war and the possibility of the students being forced to take part in it. Older protesters, those who were above 30 years were more opposed to the morals of the US partaking in the war. Overall between the Korean and Vietnamese Wars the public protested and greatly opposed the involvement of the United States in the fighting because of moral beliefs, opposition to the draft, and economic effects on the state.
One of the governments mistakes was not using convincing propaganda and media monitoring to promote the ideas of the war. After Vietnam there were no large scale or greatly opposed military movements until the Gulf War in 1990. There was a great initial burst of protests in response to the termed “massacre” in Kuwait and Iraq died out and led to a lack of protesting. This is because of the unnreal quality of what was happening as well as the government’s reasons for justifying the war. A similar justification was use in the Iraq war and the Afghanistan wars, we were taking preventions measures for self protection and WMD investigations allowed the US presidents to attack as they wished. This current media portrayal has led to less student involvement in the protesting and more widespread indifference to the overseas warring. Even with the recent attacks on Libya there was not much resistance to the attacks, which would show that the people are becoming more complacent with the idea and face of war as a part of life. As far as students opinions go, they are no longer so much concerned with the war efforts as they have very little impact on modern students.
NIce job Owen! I really like how you focused your response on the influences media has had over the years. I really agree that it helped "humanize" the enemy, which is a major reason for the negative response to the later wars. One thing you could do differently is talk about examples of this from the book. But overall, nice essay!
DeleteThroughout the history of mankind, war has been present. It could be called an omnipresent being, since it is always present at any given location in the fabric of space and time. There are many different views and thoughts toward this feature of human life and, as often happens, many are conflicting and critical of each other. Most of these feelings are brought out by propaganda, a heavily used method of shaping a targeted group’s beliefs using some sort of appealing device. Propaganda is directed towards the public of a country during a time of war. The public is what is needed to enter and support the war. The civilians also direct the aftermath of the war. The civilian is an extremely important part of any war effort, and their actions heavily determine its outcome. Their opinion is very important. However, that has changed due to an alteration in culture.
ReplyDeleteHow has this opinion changed? In the early 1900s, entering a war was perceived as a very heroic and noble act. Officers were seen as brave men, fighting for the security and well-being of the honest civilians, fighting for what is just and right, and preserving democracy and the virtuous ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. War was seen as a necessity. Violence, although people avoided using this term to describe war, was seen as the sole way to end worldly conflicts. This feeling was driven because of opposing practices, such as communism, which were cropping up. Protests were few. Many examples can be found in A Separate Peace, by John Knowles. The adolescents, particularly the seniors, in the Devon School are pushed and prepared to be ready for fighting in World War 2, in which the United States is shortly expected to enter. As one reads the book, one can tell that there is a general attitude of reverence among the boys towards the war, except for the skeptical remarks of Phineas. This attitude was probably spread also becuase of the location of wars. None were fought in the States; they were in far places in Europe, which nobody knew about. People did not have access to technology such as the Internet, phones, etc. Their sole sources of information were the newspaper and the radio, and this created little room for dissenting opinions on the war. The last reason why people used to honor war was because of more discipline and nationalism. Discipline was much more prominent in earlier times because there was less direction towards individualistic freedom. Rather, there was more importance towards the nation. As John F. Kennedy said in his inaugural speech in 1961, “Ask not what your country can do for you--- ask what you can do for your country”. Such nationalistic views are hard to find in this day and age. Today, people worry more about the word “God” in the Pledge of Allegiance rather than its patriotism. The reasons why there used to be a feeling that war is noble and honorable is because of fear of challenging ideas, lack of information, and a sense of duty towards one’s nation. (((Post is continued)))
Today’s attitude towards war and violence is worlds apart. Today, war is viewed as a gruesome, violent subject. The freedom and indulgence of the civilian is held in higher regard than the nation by a lot of the public. Advanced technologies, such as television and telephones, have brought out the ‘real truth’ of war. People are now more afraid to enlist because they know how the life of a soldier is. This has created an atmosphere where war is frowned upon. During the First World War, the average citizen did not know about the reality of war. The spread of this knowledge spread during the Second World War and the Korean War. After the Vietnam War, mostly everybody knows this and today’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are heavily condemned. The emergence of America as a superpower has also canceled the way for a threat to American values. Additionally, humanitarians have grown in number. War is now not held in as high esteem as it was in the 20th century.
ReplyDelete(((Continuation)))
Attitude towards war has been changed from reverence to revulsion. People used to think that wars were noble and necessary because of challenging threats, lack of information, and high levels of discipline and nationalism. That feeling is now displaced because of advanced technology, America’s growth, and the intuition of the individual. Certainly, times have changed.
War has been a part a life since man first came to be. People would go to war being told that they'd be greatly honored upon their return. Most people were always ready to serve when war came, and most people thought it was a good idea. The way people feel about war has changed greatly over the time since WWII though. Now people and countries go to war over small arguments. People now have been appalling the thought of war, and all the violence that's in it, and how it usually leaves the countries as enemies afterwards.
ReplyDeleteStudents had a huge part in earlier wars because they would be the new recruits so they had them believe war was a good thing to do. In the story "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles, the boys are portrayed as that the like war. All the boys were eager to sign up and get there turn to serve. The boys would shovel of the train tracks for the recruitment trains to get through. They would also get people to replace the jobs of those who left to serve. Back then Everyone did their part when war came, nowadays everyone is disgusted by the thought of even going to war. When we went into the Vietnamese War it was the first time people witnessed all the true horrors of what war actually is. With each war after that the atrocities became even worse to the citizens. More people supported the Gulf War than the others because we were helping to get rid of an invading country, but when we went to war with Iraq most of the people disagreed. There was no clear reason the invading Iraq, except to possibility of trying to stop terrorist attacks. The way we dealt with it was all wrong, we started the war by invading. The citizens of the U.S. were not very happy about going into another war, and having soldiers go out to Iraq. Propaganda has been a huge influence in getting people to sign up for the army and go to war. Usually the posters of propaganda will demean the enemy, give a catchy phrase, and state that by helping your country you'll go down in history. This has led to many people joining the army and is a reason why we go to war.
The attitudes of war keep changing everyday. Some people believe that going into war is the right thing to do, while the majority believes war is an atrocity that must be stopped. The citizens have become tired of the constant bloodshed, and fighting that the countries get into. People are usually happy when the war is won by their country, but so many lives have been lost. The attitudes of the people are growing a stronger hatred for war. The attitudes have changed from the 1940's to today.
Nice job Tim! You did a great job giving a complete picture of controversial ideas of war among Americans, and of the difference of opinion when being attacked and attacking ourselves. I definitely agree with you when you said that pre-WWII, everyone would feel and obligation to step in and help in the war effort, where as now, that idea is diminished. Also you did a nice job including the propaganda piece in this essay, a major and effective part of war that I often forget about. One suggestion I have is to talk more about what brought about this change in attitude toward war. Really nice work :)
DeleteKelsey
The justification of war can be thin-stretched at this time and age. The ideals of patriotism and pride can be outweighed by the horrors genocide and the destruction of human life. Especially as students in the 21st century living in a very liberal community, our general view of war is increasingly negative. From learning about the Holocaust of WWII to studying the 100 years war, students are given an unappealing view of war and its consequences. However, this mind frame has not always been so prevalent. The generations pre-WWII and during WWII lived in a distinctly different world than we live today which in turn shaped the general opinions and attitudes toward draft and fighting.
ReplyDeleteAs proven in “A Seperate Peace”, WWII and pre-WWII war had a clearly different view by the public and students than it has today. In the book Finny is constantly battling with himself whether to enlist or not, with the peer pressure from the war obsessed America and classmates. Enlisting was “the ultimate question for all 17 year old’s that year, and it drove Brinker’s insinuations from every mind”(107). The pressure to serve the homeland, and the peer pressure to join friends, brothers, and the rest of the boys and men of the nation formed that feeling of obligation to fight. “It’s your greatest privilege, to serve your country... If you want a military record you’d be proud of, you’d do a heck of a lot more”(200). When there was a sign of peril, it was an expectation to defend the country. Patriotism was embedded in the character and being able to fight on the frontline was a glorious honor. With major shifts in society, the wars of post- WWII evoked a much difference response from students.
Starting with the Korean War, the change started rolling. With it beginning in 1950, only a few years after the destruction of WWII, both soldiers and citizens began to grow weary. The idea that another war was starting before war- broken nations even had time to take a breath started to bring about a more of a negative response from civilians. This seed of doubt blossomed and bloomed during the Vietnam War. The opposing sides to the Vietnam War were extreme- with conservative groups wishing to ensure victory through violence, and activists who believed that the war was a waste of human life and it wasn’t the place of the USA to interfere. Most importantly, the times surrounding the Vietnam War was that of major changes within the fabric of society. The Civil Rights Movement exploded during this time, encouraging ideas of equal rights (among african americans, women etc.) and causing people to consider whether there were justifications to the war. Also with the progress of women’s role in America gave them the chance to share their opinions toward war. Also, with progress in technology, the realities of war became much more televised. This was known as the first television war, where civilians could see in their own home the terror of war- rather than seen as a noble act. This further progressed into the greater dissent toward the wars- through both the Gulf Wars and the War in Iraq. Rather than viewing war as an expected occurence it became a question of morals and incentive. It was really a revolutionary thing where during the Vietnam War, students began really putting an interest into considering why they were enlisting, causing them to question the draft. These student activists held protests, created petitions, and started a legacy of student protests, and thinking beyond the draft list.
The attitudes of war have changed drastically since WWII. Students who were the primary targets of drafting, swayed by the social revolution of civil rights, began questioning both the government and the justification of war. This change may have been pervasive, but there is still an evident respect toward our Veterans and Armed Service men/ women. For example, when boarding a commercial airplane, respect is shown by allowing them to board first. Although the views of war are more disputed now, the respect toward those who have served honorably remains the same.
Kelsey, strong response! You give some very specific reasons why these wars were different in terms of how people felt about them. Your use of quotes shows that you took this assignment seriously, which is great. Sometimes you sort of go beyond the call of duty with how much information is needed. I know your piece is under 750 words, but sometimes it's good to be concise and prune your essay to make it more streamlined.
DeleteOver the years, war has metamorphosed from an opportunity for glory and service for ones country, into something repulsive, and almost monotonous. These changes have been brought about by the different ways that war has been fought through the ages. The changes in the adolescent attitude towards war has changed the most, because while middle age has always been well defined, the transition from a child into man is blurry and ever changing. In A Separate Peace, the boys at Devon are resigned, and even a bit eager, to go fight in WWII. They watch the seniors being rushed off to enlist, and the pace of school becomes a frantic drive to ready the students for the fight. Since war permeates every aspect of every day life, it is not unusual. Today, with schools not teaching to the draft, and social media presenting both radical hatred and strong support for the wars, many students take a “contrarian” view of war and decide that they are against it. The social media allows for the spread of ideas to places they might not have reached before the rise of such mediums. Now everyone has a voice. The attitude of the masters, a calm, institutionalized support for the war, is the only one that the Devon boys are subject to. Another reason why the attitude towards war has changed between WWII is who is the aggressor. In WWII, America was defending itself from the evil Nazis and greedy japs. It was a noble and brave act of self-defense, which every young man was expected to make in order to keep his country safe. Nowadays, it is the “Big Bad Capitalist Fat Cats” forcing themselves on the poor Middle East in a lusty coup for oil and power. Terrorists aside (“Everyone has a right to their own religious beliefs” some people shout), America is the new threat. The fact that an unpopular president started the war does not improve its popularity. FDR on the other hand, was loved by the citizens of the U.S, and his decision were usually popular. The rise of social media which shows both sides of every issue and lets every voice be heard, the amount that the war is considered “normal”, and who is attacking who, are all variables in an adolescents decision on how to feel towards a war. The only thing that doesn’t change is the nature of war. War never changes.
ReplyDeleteJakub this is great! You did a really good job relating it back to A Separate Peace. You also give really strong examples of why students today take on a generally take a "contrarian view" on wars. Overall great essay!
DeleteJoe Williams
ReplyDelete3/13/12
5th Period
Wars majorly impact every country involved in many ways. The countries have to make certain sacrifices to contribute. World War II is a war that affected the entire world in some way or another. World War II was the deadliest event to ever occur. 50 to 70 million people died and it was the only war to involve nuclear warfare. Every major world power was involved. All of the jobs that men had abandoned had to be taken up by women. More than 100 million people were enlisted. All of the valuable metals became extremely scarce back in the states. 40 million civilians died which is twice the amount of soldiers. If you were a teenager in that time it was simply assumed that you were going straight to war once you were done with high school. During the Korean War over 36,000 americans died in battle. The total amount of civilian casualties for everyone was around 2,000,000. American teens were less affected by this war but there was still pressure. Vietnam killed over 58,000 soldiers. This was a very controversial war. Many people doubted the real positive impact that the war had. America knew very little going into this war. Most of the young enlisters didn’t even know who Ho Chi Minh was. Teens joining thee fight were joining blindly. This war stirred up huge protests. War always affects the people involved. Whether you are forced to give up certain comforts or drafted to fight, everyone must contribute eventually.
Since world war two children's opinions on war have changed vastly. During world war two fighting for your country was honorable and sought after and it was a rarity for one not to go to war. Those who fight are still regarded highly and it is still very honorable to become a soldier but a much more negative view of war has arisen. War is now largely considered a horrible thing. Parents do not wish their children would join the army and the majority of students don’t want to. Unlike in world war two it is no longer a question of when but one of if. After world war two a huge serge of children where born. Those children greatly protested wars. In February 1968 students at Harvard, Radcliffe, and Boston University went on a four day hunger strike protesting war. During world war two this would have been unheard of. Almost every male student went into a branch of the military during world war two. Students now don’t see war as inevitable. They see it as an option but it is in no way even expected of them, if a teenager didn’t join the army now it is very likely that no one would even bring it up. People now simply don’t believe war is worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteWhen people think about the United States, freedom immediately comes to mind. Our government, and even the nation itself, it set up to protect and nurture this freedom. However, no matter how many laws we have about equal justice or criminal rights, all is in vain if the people are not physically safe. War is always present in the world, and the way to keep our nation safe is to fight.
ReplyDeleteIn order to fight, we need soldiers; young people who are physically and mentally prepared for the challenges found on the battlefield. Over the last seven decades, the opinions of these adolescents towards war and military service have changed immensely. A Separate Peace is set during the early 1940's, and the boys attending Devon school are constantly thinking about WWII. Even though the war is not being fought anywhere near them, it still impacts their lives in many different ways. With most of the workers gone, the boys willingly help shovel snow off the railroad and pick apples. They think positively about the war, and want to help out in any way they can. Also, enlisting was “the ultimate question for all 17 year old’s that year”(107). At this point in time, serving in the military was expected of these boys. Although they could be forced to through drafting, many enlisted willingly. Soldiers were seen as brave and loyal men, who could be looked up to. Most of the boys did not fully understand what they would be doing in the army, because fighting was so glamorized.
This heroic and patriotic sense of war did not last very long. Starting with the Korean War, people began to find out what the war is really like. Instead of wanting to help, citizens began war protests. Gone was the image of the heroic commander, and come was that of the wounded soldier held at gunpoint. The danger, combined with it no longer being a social expectation, made adolescents think twice before enlisting.
This general distaste of war has continued to present day, and as a result adolescents have nowhere near the involvement they did 70 years ago. Yet despite it all, there are still enough people whose patriotism and loyalty to their nation has won over fear, which is why we have an army; which is why we have our freedom; which is why we have our nation.
Ms. Piro
I did not have time to finish this yesterday.
I know it is late.
Wendy