Essay Questions

According to Howard Zinn, why was World War II popular with the American public?

Zinn opens the chapter on World War II with a question: "[World War II] A People's War?" Zinn also says that "[WWII] was the most popular war the US ever fought." He mentions, however, that WWII was popular with the American public because the government and other institutions in America (the news media, companies, etc.) manipulated them into believing the war was righteous and good and to conquer the greatest evil in the world -- Nazis. In other words, Zinn argues that World War II's popularity was artificially created by institutions across the country.

How does Zinn explain the involvement of the United States in World War I?

According to Zinn, the United States got involved in World War I to expand its influence in economic markets and to improve its own market. In other words, the United States got into World War I to become more powerful.

How does Zinn explain the differences between the Democrat and Republican parties?

Ultimately, Zinn argues that there is virtually no difference between the Democrat and Republican parties in the present day. Both parties, he argues, maintain policies that favor corporations (particularly the military industrial complex), and maintain "militant foreign policy." Their only differences lies in social policy (abortion, gay rights, etc.) and in some aspects of economic policy (particularly taxation of individuals).