Mid Term

Iraq War Final Project
For my project I choose the Iraq War because both of my grandfathers and one of my great grandfathers served in the military and I have heard their “war stories” many times. The Iraq War intrigues me, so when I heard that I could choose our topic, it was my first thought and first choice. I am very glad I choose the Iraq War because I have learned much more that I would have never known if I hadn’t had the opportunity to research it.
The Iraq War began March 13, 2003 when President Bush launched the invasion of Iraq. There were three major reasons that caused the United States to declare war on Iraq. The first reason was the fear that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. The second reason was to maintain and protect the oil supplies that we have in that region. The third reason was to stop the war on terrorism.
I found the death tolls on both sides, the U.S. and Iraq soldiers and Iraq civilians, to be surprising high. The American death count has just recently gone over four thousand (USA Today). A much larger number on the other side has started to have a huge effect on the Iraq military. The Iraqi’s have lost over 150,000 people. The total death count of both sides is 186,739. It is also surprising to see how the United States military has lost so many less men and women. It is obviously a testimony to how well researched and advanced our technology is on the battle field.
Not only are the death toll numbers surprising high, the price of the war has gone far past everybody’s expectations also. In an interview with President Bush he stated to the press that the Iraq War has exceeded even his expectations. “The costs of maintaining a U.S. presence in Iraq now runs a tab of about $435 million a day -- $3 billion a week, or $12 billion a month” (Raw Story). Various website sources have estimated the cost of the Iraq War will be over a trillion dollars in the future.
During my research into the war I thought it would be interesting to look and the views of the American citizens to see what their views were originally and what their views on the war are currently. At the beginning of the war, in 2003, a poll was taken and 52% of the people favored and supported the war, with 42% opposed. During a 2007 poll, only 33% of the people were still supporting the war with 65% of the people opposing.
After reviewing my research and giving long thought to everything that I have learned, I do believe that the war was necessary and worth it. I’m not saying that the exact strategy that President Bush implemented was the best way to go, but I do believe that the initial plan of action was needed. When our safety was threatened such as the attacks on the World Trade Centers on September 11, something needed to be done. The other two reasons for going into Iraq seemed to be legitimate also. I do not understand how people can be completely against the war when there are men and women out there giving their lives for those of us who are back in the United States, safe and sound. I believe we owe it to the troops to support them in any way we can and for as long as it takes.


http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2008-03-23-iraq-casualties_N.htm
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Price_of_Iraq_war_now_outpaces_0318.html