CHAPTER FOUR: World War II

Using the Perspectives

It is not uncommon for politicians to draw upon historical metaphors, and George W. Bush has particularly availed himself of this device. Comparing a current war with a valiant struggle of the past is certainly a tool of rhetoric, but it can still reveal something about a politician's beliefs and motivations. Take, for example, Bush's 2004 speech to the graduating class at the United States Air Force Academy. Reflecting upon the sixtieth anniversary of D-Day, he discussed similarities between the war against terrorism and the second world war.

"On this day in 1944, General Eisenhower sat down at his headquarters in the English countryside, and wrote out a message to the troops who would soon invade Normandy. 'Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force,' he wrote, 'the eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.'"

"'In some ways, this struggle we're in is unique. In other ways, it resembles the great clashes of the last century—between those who put their trust in tyrants and those who put their trust in liberty. Our goal, the goal of this generation, is the same: We will secure our nation and defend the peace through the forward march of freedom.'"

1.  What, according to Bush, are the primary similarities between World War II and the war on terrorism? What perspective does this      reflect?
     

President Bush went on to outline how the U.S. response to terror is similar to its response during World War II.

"Like the Second World War, our present conflict began with a ruthless, surprise attack on the United States. We will not forget that treachery, and we will accept nothing less than victory over the enemy.

"Like the murderous ideologies of the 20th century, the ideology of terrorism reaches across boarders, and seeks recruits in every country. So we're fighting these enemies wherever they hide across the earth."

Specifically, he listed four steps the United States is taking to combat terror. First, the United States is using "every available tool to dismantle, disrupt, and destroy terrorists and their organizations." Second, it is "denying terrorists places of sanctuary or support," including those in "outlaw regimes." Third, it is "working to strengthen international institutions charged with opposing proliferation." Finally, it is seeking to deny "the terrorists the ideological victories they seek by working for freedom and reform . . ."

2.  What perspectives do you see in this list of objectives? Which do you think predominates?
     

3.  In what important ways do you think that World War II and the war on terrorism differ? Why does this matter?
     

The full text of speech can be found at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/print/20040602.html