American Military History 1930-1983 Short Answer Questions

Answer the following twp-part assignment questions within the worksheet. Each question must be a minimum of 200 words. No citations or references are necessary.

1. It is 1930-10 years after the National Defense Act of 1920. A debate still rages regarding whether sea power or air power should be the focus of military strategy and congressional funding. As a research officer for the Chair of the Joint Army-Navy Board, you have been ordered to provide your position on this matter.What decision would you advise based on the two conflicting ideas? Should military strategy focus primarily on air power or sea power? Why?

2. As a U.S. Navy intelligence officer stationed in the Philippines during the fall of 1941, you have been asked to draft a written brief on the motives and actions of the Japanese Empire to the House Committee on Foreign Relations in response to rumors that Japan might be making war plans against the United States.What facts or evidence can you provide the committee on the agenda of the Japanese over the last 3 years (1939-1941)? What evidence or arguments can you provide that may convince the committee that Japan is an aggressive and imperialistic nation that may attack U.S. assets in East Asia?

3. You are General George Marshall. You have just been informed that Theodore Roosevelt has died, and the new president must be advised of the Manhattan Project, and the United States will have possession of two atomic bombs. You are now faced with a dilemma. How should you advise the new president, Harry Truman, who has been, due to secrecy, unaware of the Manhattan Project as vice president.Draft a brief but detailed report that will advise the president about what has been happening, the secrecy of this project the whole time, what options he has concerning the use of these weapons, and why you feel the only option is to use them against Japan.

4. As the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, it is your responsibility to advise the president of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council on military matters. At 0800 hours on January 2, 1964, three Soviet nuclear attack submarines were reported off the coasts of Texas, California, and Virginia. The intelligence reports indicate that all three submarines are carrying numerous tactical nuclear weapons. What course of action do you recommend to the president, Lyndon Johnson, and his cabinet? What military or government doctrines do you believe should be considered?

5. It is November 25, 1963, and 2 days ago, John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. Your boss, Lyndon Johnson, has been sworn in as president. You are Johnson’s chief advisor. He has asked you to provide a short written brief of the situation in Vietnam, a summary of Kennedy’s strategy and actions regarding Vietnam, and advice on what he should do regarding the situation in Southeast Asia.What do you believe he should do? Should he continue to pursue Kennedy’s policies for Vietnam, go back to Eisenhower’s ideas, or develop a new strategy? Explain.

6. It is January 1969. As chief of staff to Henry Kissinger, Richard Nixon’s special assistant for national security affairs, you are informed of National Security Study Memorandum #1 (NSSM #1), where Kissinger has ordered a survey from relevant government agencies to provide a “snapshot” of the situation in Vietnam. Kissinger has asked you to provide a short brief on what you consider to be some of the most pressing challenges Nixon may be facing in Vietnam as he begins his presidency. Please be brief.

7. As the national security adviser to Ronald Reagan, it is your duty to not only report serious incidents that have occurred around the world but also to advise him on what happened and what to do. It is the morning of October 23, 1983. You have been informed of a suicide attack on the U.S. Marine Barracks in Beirut. Soldiers have been killed.What do you tell the president, why did this happen, and what do you suggest as the best course of action? You only have a few brief moments to write down your thoughts and ideas to present to the president.