Dylan+F+-+Am.+Revolution+&+Afghanistan+Essay

Sending More Troops is Not the Answer Mr. President, sending more troops to Afghanistan is not a viable solution. Two hundred years ago, when our very country was fighting for its freedom from Great Britain, Britain faced a dilemma much like ours. Great Britain could not defeat the Americans because of the Americans' motivation. Now, the U.S.A. faces this problem in the Middle East with terrorist groups. There are two major problems that Great Britain had during the revolutionary war that we can learn from. The first problem, as stated in History Alive, was that, “King George and his ministers were never able to convince the British people that defeating the rebels was vital to Britain’s future” (89). The British needed to know what was happening out there, and how it would affect their life. In an article about Anthony Zinni, a retired Marine Corps General, Zinni suggested that, “Americans need to hear a better explanation of why the U.S. is in Afghanistan,” and he later goes on to say, ‘“I think the speech has been missing…is this talk not only to the American public but to the world about what the threats are, what the challenges are, and what concerns should be out there” (Para 3). Obviously, it is essential that the American people know exactly what’s going on in the Middle East, and what the reasons are for having American troops there. Letting them know will result in more support. Another problem that Great Britain faced during the Revolutionary War was their lack of motivation in comparison with the Americans’. The patriots were fighting for their freedom, whereas the British were merely fighting to maintain control over the 13 colonies to continue taxing them and reap the benefits. As stated in History Alive, “…the Americans had strengths. One was the patriotism of people like Joseph Martin, who willingly gave their lives to defend their liberty and their homes” (88). In contrast, “There were no Joseph Martins in England volunteering to fight the Americans” (89). Perhaps the most significant factor that eventually led to America’s victory was the motivation that The Continental Army had. They had specific ideals that they were fighting for; the British lacked this kind of motivation. Sending more troops to Afghanistan is not the answer, Mr. President. The British had, “a professional army of 50,000 troops…In addition, George III hired 30,000 mercenaries,” and yet they were defeated by the ragtag Continental Army (89). We can learn from the Revolutionary War that sheer numbers don’t always win wars, and therefore the notion of sending more troops to Afghanistan seems asinine. What doesn’t seem to be addressed by the military is the motivation(s) of the terrorist groups that we’re fighting. As was stated before, a major advantage of the Americans during the revolutionary war was, “the patriotism of people like Joseph Martin, who willingly gave their lives to defend their liberty and their homes” (88). Similar to the British Army, the modern U.S. Army lacks the motives that drive these terrorist groups to keep fighting. Thus, it is nonsensical to assume that by dispatching more American troops in Afghanistan that we will be victorious. If you decide to send more troops to Afghanistan despite this, Mr. President, the following course of action should be taken. First, let the American people, and the world, know specifically what our reasons are for being in Afghanistan, and what our reasons are for sending more troops. As mentioned previously, this will, at the very least, gain the support of many Americans. Next, be aware of guerilla warfare. During the late Rev. War, the Americans adopted guerilla warfare, and they were very successful in using it. In History Alive, it is stated that, “Guerillas…kept the American cause alive” (96). The American guerillas were successful because they knew the land better than their opponent, the British. Similarly today, our opponents, the terrorist groups in Afghanistan, know the land better than us, and have the advantage. Finally, find a powerful motivation for our troops. As was states time and time again throughout this document, motivation is key in winning a war. It is necessary to find something that every American troop is passionate enough about, that they are willing to go to great lengths for it. Perhaps an American ideal would be suitable. Conclusively, it is illogical to send more troops to Afghanistan because, as we can learn from history, a bigger army doesn’t necessarily mean an easy victory. The most important part in defeating our opponents is motivation. Without it, we cannot win this war.