War On Terror Comparison

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As General George S. Patton once said to rally Allied troops, “No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making some other poor dumb bastard die for his country.” This message applies to any war throughout history: maximize gains and minimize losses. In following this basic concept, World War II and The War on Terror contain striking similarities and stark differences in both development and war effort. The breakout of both World War II and The War on Terror saw complex circumstances and history, outspoken Western leaders, and unique politics, including the nature of the wars themselves. In regards to history, it seems logical to start at the beginning. Initial unrest in the buildup to World War II arose as a consequence of the undue financial burden the Treaty of Versailles put upon Germany after World War I. …show more content…
Much like World War II, The War on Terror can trace its origins to decades before the war itself. When the United States funded Afghani rebel groups in their pushback of Soviet occupation, instability and resentment of foreign interference surfaced in the region; this instability and resentment allowed terrorist leaders to gain followings, such as Osama Bin Laden, the founder of Al Qaeda. Moreover, on the U.S. front, both wars began with an aerial surprise attack; Pearl Harbor began World War II, and the September 11 terrorist attacks began the War on Terror. The reactions of Western leaders, although equally outspoken, differ in each war. Winston Churchill cried out for action against Germany long before the war started, while George Bush did not expect a major terror attack or a major conflict to arise as a result of a terror attack. Furthermore, in World War II, the U.S. initially denied aid to Great Britain; however, due to the severe and grim nature of the September 11 attacks, the United States’ Western allies offered immediate solidarity. Lastly, the two wars possess a different nature and