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War Machines of Tomorrow
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
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Before showing this program, have students look through
magazines and newspapers from the winter of 1990-1991 for
articles about The Persian Gulf War and create a list of the
types of weapons and technology featured. How useful were these
weapons in protecting soldiers as well as enemy civilians? What
are the benefits to having soldiers on the ground during a war?
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Explain that after watching the program, the class will conduct
a debate on weapons and ground forces. Assign one group to
record arguments for developing precision weapons and reducing
or eliminating ground forces, and the other group to record
opposing arguments.
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Discuss the role of both the military and the news media in
deciding what images viewers see during international conflicts,
such as The Persian Gulf War. How can the media influence
people's perception about the amount of destruction caused in a
war? In what ways can the media affect people's attitudes about
the actions of both sides in a war? As they watch the program,
tell students to listen for references to the media and to
observe how the media portrayed The Persian Gulf War.
After Watching
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Review the debate over the importance of ground troops in a
highly technical air war such as that in The Persian Gulf War.
How do experts from each side defend their positions or respond
to challenges from their opponents? How do location and reasons
for conflict play a role in how a war is fought? For example,
how might U.S. engagements in Somalia, Haiti, and Bosnia differ
from The Persian Gulf War and why? What is the consensus of the
class regarding the types of weapons and troops that should be
deployed in another war?
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