The American people have an incorrect understanding of what it means to be at war. At least, so argues T. H. Pickett in his conservative interpretation of American military history.

Pickett does present a wealth of examples, along with a refreshingly candid argument that America often goes to war for an abstract ideal such as the democratization of societies, world peace, liberty, or freedom. For instance, the Spanish-American War of 1898 was ostensibly a consequence of national enthusiasm for the cause of Cuban liberty. And, more obviously, America's entry into World War I stemmed from a desire to "make the world safe for democracy." Although these observations are supportable, Pickett overstates the case when he argues that these abstract causes typically lead to a war hysteria in which American leadership can no longer enforce any measured policies.

Consider each of the following answer choices separately and select all that apply.

It can be inferred from the description of Pickett’s work that the author believes which of the following?

A. The desire for tangible rewards is not always the primary reason that America enters into warfare.
B. Democratization of a foreign country was a rationale for at least one war that America has waged.
C. Pickett provides a large number of examples to bolster his case.


Which of the following best states the author’s main point?

A. Pickett’s study overturned the conventional understanding of why America engages in warfare.
B. Pickett’s study is valuable primarily because it provides a thorough understanding of the causes of American warfare.
C. The rationale for American warfare is well documented.
D. Pickett provides a cogent rationale for why America engages in warfare; however, he draws conclusions that the author does not fully support.
E. Pickett’s analysis of American military history provides the definitive historical record of the period from the Spanish-American War to World War I.