Impacts of War
Andrew Reeves - Honors Civics - 2nd
Impacts of War is the topic covering all aspects of how a war and soldiers being deployed can affect an economy, an environment, a family, and most importantly the lives of soldiers both during and after the war. People often underestimate how costly a war really is both financially and emotionally. Without knowing what it is like to serve in the military, people should not be so quick to judge others that have. Often soldiers return home with some sort of post-traumatic stress or worse injuries, including physical ones. Economies can collapse from the losses during a war because they can be so expensive. Landscapes can also be ruined from bombings and enemy camps on your land. These are just a few of many impacts of war. I chose this topic to show how devastating some effects of war can have on a nation. This issue is important to us because we need to become aware of the true impacts of war and research ways to protect and take care of veterans and active servicemen, and also prevent future devastation from war.
Bruce Springsteen “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984)
- I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because it discusses the negative effects of the Vietnam War and the poor treatment of soldiers returning to home. It also discusses how men were forced to fight in the war without any consent of the people.
- Fact: Anti-war marches and other protests, such as the ones organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), attracted a widening base of support over the next three years, peaking in early 1968 after the successful Tet Offensive by North Vietnamese troops proved that war’s end was nowhere in sight.
"Vietnam War Protests." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-protests>.
Motorhead "1916" (1994)
- I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because it describes how soldiers of this time period were influenced by the propaganda to fight in the war. The song also talks about how they promised that they would return as heroes when in fact they had to go through a lot of suffering throughout the battles.
- Fact: The First World War is often associated with the syndrome called shell shock. This was originally believed to have a physical origin, caused by the impact of loud shelling. However, it became clear that soldiers who had never been exposed to shells were developing the same symptoms. During the horrendous Battle of the Somme in 1916, there was a severe increase in the number of cases.
"Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine." War's Long-term Effects. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/war/effects>.
Green Day "21 Guns"
- I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because it represents how we should all end fighting in wars because of all the devastation they can cause. Wars always cause anti-war groups protesting war both peaceful and non-peaceful.
- Fact: Today there are still many children in Vietnam growing up with various diseases and disabilities affected by the harmful chemicals carried out in the war.
"What Was the Impact of the Vietnam War? - The Vietnam War." The Vietnam War. 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://thevietnamwar.info/vietnam-war-impact/>.
Toby Keith "American Soldier" (2003)
- I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because it describes how soldiers are always loyal, fearless, brave, and willing to serve no matter the cost to himself or his family. This song shows a positive effect of war on how soldiers are truly an elite group that should be honored for their service.
- Fact: In addition to physical problems either exacerbated or caused by war, emotional problems could also be brought on by battle.
"Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine." War's Long-term Effects. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/war/effects>.
John Michael Montgomery "Letters From Home" (2004)
I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because it talks about the sorrow that a soldier goes through when they are away from home and in a war. This song also discusses the struggles that families go through when having a family member in the military or off at war.
Fact: The invisible injuries of service members resulting from our nation’s war on terrorism pose complex challenges for military families, especially military children. With injuries such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), there are often dramatic changes in personality and behavior without a change in one’s appearance.
"BrainLine Military." The Invisible Injuries of War: Impact on Military Families and Children. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.brainlinemilitary.org/content/2011/05/the-invisible-injuries-of-war-impact-on-military-families-and-children.html>.
Rise Against "Hero of War" (2008)
I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because the song is about how soldiers were tricked into thinking that if they served in war that they would return as heros. This song talks about how soldiers had to endure lots of pain and horrible sights while fighting and how those images would never leave their minds. Even if the soldiers were treated as heros they never really felt deserving of that title.
Fact: During the Second World War (1939-45) psychiatrists in the United States used psychological testing to determine a recruit’s suitability to be a soldier. Despite these tests, the effects of battle were still hard on soldiers.
"Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine." War's Long-term Effects. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/war/effects>.
Edwin Starr "War" (1970)
I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because this song discusses that overall no aspect of war creates a good environment. From devastating lives of other families to the families of our own soldiers and how it can create enemies between other countries.
Fact: Civilian populations often have to deal with the after effects of war. They include damage to infrastructure such as hospitals and to medical care, often a result of a shortage of doctors.
"Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine." War's Long-term Effects. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/war/effects>.
Darryl Worley “I Just Came Back From a War” (2006)
I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because it discusses how soldiers struggle to adjust back to normal life after being in a war zone for a long time. A lot of soldiers struggle with this issue after returning from war today.
- Fact: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was the term used after 1980 to explain the effect of war on soldiers and was later used outside the military to describe the impact of a traumatic event on an individual. However, there is a long history of different diagnoses used to try and get to grips with the psychological impact of war. The most recent war syndromes include Gulf War syndrome, experienced mainly by American and British soldiers who fought in the 1991 Gulf War.
"Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine." War's Long-term Effects. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/war/effects>.
White Lion “When the Children Cry” (1987)
I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because it covers the issue of children being born and brought up during a war time. This seems to be an increasing problem for today’s generation of children because of the recent wars such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Fact: Civilians, particularly children, can also suffer the effects of trauma. Child psychoanalysis emerged during the Second World War from the work of Anna Freud, psychoanalyst and daughter of Sigmund Freud. She set up a centre for young war victims called the Hampstead War Nursery.
"Science Museum. Brought to Life: Exploring the History of Medicine." War's Long-term Effects. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/broughttolife/themes/war/effects>.
Creedence Clearwater Revival “Fortunate Son” (1969)
I feel like this song belongs on my soundtrack because it talks about how it is unfair that wealthy young men tend to get out of war, while the poor men have to go and risk their lives. This shows a flaw in government not enforcing all men to go into the military when a draft occurs and how easy it can be to avoid service when you are more powerful.
Fact: As U.S. troop strength in Vietnam increased, more young men sought to avoid the draft. Enlisting in the Coast Guard, though it had more stringent standards for enlistment, was one alternative. 15,000 National Guardsmen were activated and sent to Vietnam. Vocations to the ministry and the rabbinate soared, because divinity students were exempt from the draft. Doctors and draft board members found themselves being pressured by relatives or family friends to exempt potential draftees.
"Draft Evasion." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 21 Mar. 2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draft_evasion#United_States>.