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Americans and the wars of the twentieth century / Jenel Virden.
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Virden, Jenel.
- Series:
- American history in depth (Palgrave Macmillan (Firm))
- American history in depth
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- War and society.
- History.
- United States--History, Military--20th century.
- United States.
- History, Military.
- United States--Foreign relations--20th century.
- International relations.
- United States--Social conditions--20th century.
- Social conditions.
- War and society--United States--History--20th century.
- Just war doctrine.
- Physical Description:
- x, 203 pages : maps ; 22 cm.
- Place of Publication:
- Basingstoke ; New York : Palgrave Macmillan, 2008.
- Summary:
- Throughout the twentieth century America has gone to war, often reluctantly, but always with a sense of justice. American presidents have repeatedly explained the need for war by using the rhetoric of Just War theory. Having gone to war, America purports to fight in ways that uphold the standards of honour; however, for many the use of gas, atomic bombs and napalm make this claim more difficult to sustain.
- Jenel Virden argues that when the American government expanded its wartime powers in the First World War, the Second World War and in Korea and Vietnam there was a profound impact on the home front. While fighting 'just' wars abroad, some American citizens were treated unjustly on the home front. German Americans, Japanese Americans, American communists and student protestors were targeted by both the government and their fellow citizens. During times of war the issue of loyalty often clashed with constitutional rights.
- Outlining the causes, courses and consequences of these major wars of the twentieth century, Virden examines both the way in which the United States became involved and fought, and the domestic consequences of the wars. With an epilogue on the Iraq War that brings the book right up to date, this is indispensable reading for anyone studying or interested in US involvement in overseas wars.
- Contents:
- 2 The First World War 8
- The Pre-war Period 8
- Beginnings 10
- How the War was Fought 19
- US Home Front 27
- The Consequences 38
- 3 The Second World War 43
- The Interwar Period 43
- Beginnings 45
- How the War was Fought 53
- US Home Front 62
- The Consequences 76
- 4 The Korean War 80
- The Interwar Period 80
- Beginnings 81
- How the War was Fought 85
- US Home Front 93
- The Consequences 107
- 5 The Vietnam War 111
- The Interwar Period 111
- Beginnings 115
- How the War was Fought 119
- US Home Front 128
- The Consequences 148
- How the Wars Began - Justice of War 150
- How the Wars were Fought - Justice in War 153
- How the Wars Ended - Justice after the War 159
- US Home Front - Justice at Home 162.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 184-194) and index.
- ISBN:
- 9780333726600
- 033372660X
- 9780333726617
- 0333726618
- OCLC:
- 183392104
- Online:
- Contributor biographical information
- Publisher description
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