Behind the Lines, by Andrew Carroll was published in 2005. This is a book of war letters from around the world from all different wars. The oldest letter is from the Revolutionary war and the some of the newest letters are from over in the Middle East. The theme I found throughout the letters was that war will not solve everything.
The first example was in the letters during the Civil War. Soldiers wrote about how they fought for their country, but they were fighting against their country men. One soldier even wrote that he had killed his cousin during a battle. Some of the soldiers during the Civil War wrote letters about how they thought it was pointless to fight against their own country, which it is. As you can see, fighting against your own country will solve anything.
The next point that was in the book was during the Vietnam War. Soldiers wrote about how they went out day after day and accomplished nothing. The U.S. was in war but was making no progress. Each day soldiers may kill a few Vietnamese but for no cause. Some of the letters even talked about how soldiers were deployed to the field but did nothing for the whole time they were in the service. Overall, nothing was acomplished during the Vietnam War except for a few small things.
The last points that refrence back to the theme are from the letters from the Iraq War. The letters of this war reflect back saying each day we acomplish nothing but maybe kill a few terrorists. Letters also talk about how the war is going no where and it how it does't look like it will.
After reading this book, what is the point of war if we cant solve everything by it. Everyday we hear of people fighting, for what? Nothing. War will not solve everything as seen in Behind the Lines.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Letter From Valley Forge
Dear Dad,
Hows it going up there in Massachusetts? Its very cold here, and we don't have a lot of supplies. We got moved today into another cabin, our old one was starting to fall apart. There is about 5 inches of snow on the ground and most of our shoes do nothing to stop the cold from seeping through. 3 of my buddies have died in this past week, two of typhus and one of starvation. Its too bad, they were good soldiers. The food here is scarce, and all that is left are firecakes. Hopefully when spring comes supplies will be available and we can actually get some food into us.
General Washington is keeping our spirits high, he is always telling us we are going to make it and that if we stay we will get a bonus. Its very nice to have someone to look up to here. Washington also started training us himself, he lets us go back and train the rest of the soldiers, so all can receive hands on training. We also just got a new drillmaster, Ludolf Stueben. He even makes the officers drill with us. He's very funny, when we do something wrong he curses at us in broken English.
I can't wait for spring, we're finally going to get to fight, this running has taken a toll on everybody. General Washington has lost a very large amount of men on the trail to here. It has been very discouraging to walk and see our fallen soldiers lying beside the road. By spring we will be back to the normal fighting. Is brother going to sign up with me this summer? We can both fight back the British and finally come home. Hope all is well with mom and the rest of the family. I must go now, we are about to begin drilling with the bayonets.
Sincerely,
Nicolas R.
Hows it going up there in Massachusetts? Its very cold here, and we don't have a lot of supplies. We got moved today into another cabin, our old one was starting to fall apart. There is about 5 inches of snow on the ground and most of our shoes do nothing to stop the cold from seeping through. 3 of my buddies have died in this past week, two of typhus and one of starvation. Its too bad, they were good soldiers. The food here is scarce, and all that is left are firecakes. Hopefully when spring comes supplies will be available and we can actually get some food into us.
General Washington is keeping our spirits high, he is always telling us we are going to make it and that if we stay we will get a bonus. Its very nice to have someone to look up to here. Washington also started training us himself, he lets us go back and train the rest of the soldiers, so all can receive hands on training. We also just got a new drillmaster, Ludolf Stueben. He even makes the officers drill with us. He's very funny, when we do something wrong he curses at us in broken English.
I can't wait for spring, we're finally going to get to fight, this running has taken a toll on everybody. General Washington has lost a very large amount of men on the trail to here. It has been very discouraging to walk and see our fallen soldiers lying beside the road. By spring we will be back to the normal fighting. Is brother going to sign up with me this summer? We can both fight back the British and finally come home. Hope all is well with mom and the rest of the family. I must go now, we are about to begin drilling with the bayonets.
Sincerely,
Nicolas R.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Propaganda Essay
People of the colonies, we have been banned all rights as human beings. Being subjected to taxing without representation, unlawful trials, even being forced to accommodate ungrateful British soldiers who come into our homes drunk, breaking our possessions, stealing our things. All by the orders of King George, whom we must rebel against. We must rise up and overthrow the government that denies us fair trade, that taxes us without reason.
It is necessary to establish a new government here, with no British hand in any of our own matters. We, the people of the colonies, have the will and the power to reform the government for the better of the people. Look about you, see the work of the king, imagine how it will be in 20 years, 50 years, 100 years. Taxes growing, land being taken, more perjudiced trials. Our future generations depend upon us to change this, for it cannot be tolerated anymore, nor will it be 100 years from now. King George has pressed upon us the law of his land, this is our land, and we must fight out the tyranny of the king and replace it with a new and just government.
It is necessary to establish a new government here, with no British hand in any of our own matters. We, the people of the colonies, have the will and the power to reform the government for the better of the people. Look about you, see the work of the king, imagine how it will be in 20 years, 50 years, 100 years. Taxes growing, land being taken, more perjudiced trials. Our future generations depend upon us to change this, for it cannot be tolerated anymore, nor will it be 100 years from now. King George has pressed upon us the law of his land, this is our land, and we must fight out the tyranny of the king and replace it with a new and just government.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Jonathan Dayton
Jonathan Dayton was born on October 16, 1760 in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Dayton represented New Jersey in the Constitutional Convention. He was the married to Susan Williamson, and had 2 daughters. He graduated from the college of New Jersey in 1776. Dayton also served in the 3rd New Jersey Regiment, and made the rank of captain by the age of 19. He died on October 9, 1824.
Jonathan was the youngest signer of the United States Constitution, and he was the youngest representative at the convention. He signed the constitution along with Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, James McHenry, James Madison, Caesar Rodney, Rufus King, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, William Few, and Thomas Jefferson. Dayton also worked with Alexander Hamilton, supporting him in the Whiskey Rebellion. Jonathan also supported the Louisiana Purchase. He was arrested in 1807 for treason in connection with Aaron Burr's conspiracy, but was never tried and convicted. When Jonathan fought in the army, he partook in the battle of Yorktown, VA. He also was captured by the British for a short period of time. Jonathan served under his father Elias Dayton and Marquis de Lafayette. When he returned home from the war he practiced law and during the 1780's he divided his time between law, land, and politics. In 1788 Dayton became a legislator in the newly established government. Finally, in 1791 Jonathan entered the U.S. House of Representatives.
Jonathan was involved in the Revolution because he enlisted right after he got done school. He enlisted because of his father, General Elais Dayton. Jonathan Dayton shouldn't recieve alot of regonition for he did not do anything in his life that was very signifigant to the revolution, except for that he was the youngest signer of the constitution.
Jonathan was the youngest signer of the United States Constitution, and he was the youngest representative at the convention. He signed the constitution along with Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, James McHenry, James Madison, Caesar Rodney, Rufus King, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, William Few, and Thomas Jefferson. Dayton also worked with Alexander Hamilton, supporting him in the Whiskey Rebellion. Jonathan also supported the Louisiana Purchase. He was arrested in 1807 for treason in connection with Aaron Burr's conspiracy, but was never tried and convicted. When Jonathan fought in the army, he partook in the battle of Yorktown, VA. He also was captured by the British for a short period of time. Jonathan served under his father Elias Dayton and Marquis de Lafayette. When he returned home from the war he practiced law and during the 1780's he divided his time between law, land, and politics. In 1788 Dayton became a legislator in the newly established government. Finally, in 1791 Jonathan entered the U.S. House of Representatives.
Jonathan was involved in the Revolution because he enlisted right after he got done school. He enlisted because of his father, General Elais Dayton. Jonathan Dayton shouldn't recieve alot of regonition for he did not do anything in his life that was very signifigant to the revolution, except for that he was the youngest signer of the constitution.
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