The edit can be undone. Please check the comparison below to verify that this is what you want to do, and then publish the changes below to finish undoing the edit.
Latest revision | Your text | ||
Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
The United States Armed Forces constitute the military of the [[United States of America]]. | The United States Armed Forces constitute the military of the [[United States of America]]. | ||
The US Armed Forces are responsible for countless atrocities and war crimes throughout their entire existence (''see: Category:Atrocities committed by the United States'' below). In the 19th century, they massacred indigenous Native Americans as the US expanded westward. They have massacred civilians during their wars of aggression against Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, and are also the only military that has used nuclear weapons in warfare.<ref>{{Web citation|url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/no-first-use-and-nuclear-weapons|title=‘No First Use’ and Nuclear Weapons|quote=The United States has considered but has never declared an NFU policy and remains the only country to have ever used nuclear weapons in war—twice against Japan, in 1945.}}</ref> These, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were entirely unnecessary, as Japan was already in the process of negotiating a surrender. Although the US government has repeatedly attempted to cover up the atrocities committed by its military, many of them have been exposed by the international media. Notable examples include the [[Wounded Knee Massacre|Wounded Knee massacre]] against the [[Lakota people]], the [[No Gun Ri massacre]] in Korea, the [[Mỹ Lai massacre]] in Vietnam, and the torture of prisoners in [[Abu Ghraib|Abu Ghraib Prison]] | The US Armed Forces are responsible for countless atrocities and war crimes throughout their entire existence (''see: Category:Atrocities committed by the United States'' below). In the 19th century, they massacred indigenous Native Americans as the US expanded westward. They have massacred civilians during their wars of aggression against Korea, Vietnam and Iraq, and are also the only military that has used nuclear weapons in warfare.<ref>{{Web citation|url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/no-first-use-and-nuclear-weapons|title=‘No First Use’ and Nuclear Weapons|quote=The United States has considered but has never declared an NFU policy and remains the only country to have ever used nuclear weapons in war—twice against Japan, in 1945.}}</ref> These, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were entirely unnecessary, as Japan was already in the process of negotiating a surrender. Although the US government has repeatedly attempted to cover up the atrocities committed by its military, many of them have been exposed by the international media. Notable examples include the [[Wounded Knee Massacre|Wounded Knee massacre]] against the [[Lakota people]], the [[No Gun Ri massacre]] in Korea, the [[Mỹ Lai massacre]] in Vietnam, and the torture and abuse of prisoners in the [[Abu Ghraib|Abu Ghraib Prison]] in Iraq. | ||
In the Vietnam and Korean wars, the US military forcibly conscripted many soldiers. These conscription methods made exceptions for the wealthy and well-educated, which meant that poor people and people of color were disproportionately conscripted. Several US presidents including [[Bill Clinton]], [[Donald Trump]], [[George W. Bush]], and [[Joe Biden]] managed to dodge the draft.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Amy J. Rutenberg|newspaper=The Atlantic|title=What Trump’s Draft Deferments Reveal|date=2019-01-02|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/01/trumps-military-draft-deferment-isnt-unusual/579265/|retrieved=27/06/2024}}</ref> Today, the US military does not use conscription, but retains the legal right to start doing so again.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=sss.gov|title=Selective Service System|url=https://www.sss.gov/#:~:text=While%20there%20is%20currently%20no,a%20fair%20and%20equitable%20manner.|retrieved=27/06/2024}}</ref> | In the Vietnam and Korean wars, the US military forcibly conscripted many soldiers. These conscription methods made exceptions for the wealthy and well-educated, which meant that poor people and people of color were disproportionately conscripted. Several US presidents including [[Bill Clinton]], [[Donald Trump]], [[George W. Bush]], and [[Joe Biden]] managed to dodge the draft.<ref>{{Web citation|author=Amy J. Rutenberg|newspaper=The Atlantic|title=What Trump’s Draft Deferments Reveal|date=2019-01-02|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/01/trumps-military-draft-deferment-isnt-unusual/579265/|retrieved=27/06/2024}}</ref> Today, the US military does not use conscription, but retains the legal right to start doing so again.<ref>{{Web citation|newspaper=sss.gov|title=Selective Service System|url=https://www.sss.gov/#:~:text=While%20there%20is%20currently%20no,a%20fair%20and%20equitable%20manner.|retrieved=27/06/2024}}</ref> |