U.S. History

The Iraq War (2003)

Currently, the United States is involved in two wars.War in Afghanistan (2001-present)…in response to

the terrorist attacks of 9/11.Iraq War (2003-present)…in response to a perceived

threat by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. Both wars were started by President G.W. Bush.President Obama continues both wars, although he

promises to remove U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2010.

At the same time, he is sending more troops to Afghanistan.

As of today…

The Middle East

Oil in the Middle East

For a long time both the U.S. and Great Britain have been involved in the oil politics of the Middle East.

In the early 1980’s, the U.S. supported Iraq in its war against Iran, because at the time Iran was the “bad guy,” even though Hussein was just as bad as he was in 2003.During this time period, the U.S. provided Iraq w/

weapons, allegedly WMD’s.Over time, the relationship shifted and Hussein

became the “bad guy.”The U.S. invaded Iraq in the late summer of 1990

(Gulf War) after Iraq invaded oil-rich Kuwait.

History of American Involvement in Iraq

I thought we hated this guy!Former Secretary of

Defense Donald Rumsfeld meeting w/ Saddam Hussein in the early 1980’s

Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMD’s) and he was a threat to freedom in the region.Chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons.

Bush and VP Cheney implied that there was a connection between Saddam Hussein and the 9/11 attacks.

Hussein was also portrayed as anti-human rights, anti-democracy, and a killer of his own people.

America had to go in to defend freedom and democracy.

Rationale for the Iraq War

WMD’s were no where to be found!After investigation it was concluded that Iraq

had ended its nuclear, chemical, and biological programs in 1991 and had no active programs at the time of the invasion

Bush and Cheney denied a link between Saddam and 9/11.

Why then did we invade this country in the first place?

Once we got there…

Uneducated and fearful American population did not question Bush’s motives.Bush and his “buddies” believed in a master

plan for American control and dominance in the world.

Media “sold” the war to the American people.Politicians afraid to question Bush for fear of

being called unpatriotic. Influence of the military-industrial

complex.

How it happened….

What is the Military Industrial Complex? A term used to

describe the relationship between the government, military, and private companies.

Usually involving military supplies.

Military Spending