Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The study of history is often an uplifting, enriching endeavor because it reveals the triumphs and glories of mankind.  Not so the historical inspection of American strategic bombing of [[Germany]] during [[World War Two]].  Here is found the cold, calculating practice of administering destruction from the air.  Undeniably, was presents to those involved a certain risk of death; however, it has long been accepted, or at least considered, that civilian populations should be spared from unrestricted battle action.  Strategic bombing sidestepped these notions of military ethics and undercut those few people who questioned and opposed the practice.  If the true horror of World War Two was the extent of people's systematic killing of other people, then strategic bombing in its magnitude and obduracy was no exception.

The study of history is often an uplifting, enriching endeavor because it reveals the triumphs and glories of mankind.  Not so the historical inspection of American strategic bombing of [[Germany]] during [[World War Two]].  Here is found the cold, calculating practice of administering destruction from the air.  Undeniably, war presents to those involved a certain risk of death; however, it has long been accepted, or at least considered, that civilian populations should be spared from unrestricted battle action.  Strategic bombing sidestepped these notions of military ethics and undercut those few people who questioned and opposed the practice.  If the true horror of World War Two was the extent of people's systematic killing of other people, then strategic bombing in its magnitude and obduracy was no exception.

During the course of the war, Americans at home stayed informed of the happenings abroad through the media of letters from the front, newspapers, radio, newsreels, and popular news journals. Specifically, news magazines served the dual purpose of passing along first-rate information to the reader while maintaining a brief and entertaining format. Throughout the war, widely-read news journals generated a great amount of print concerning American strategic bombing. '''Reader's Digest''', '''Life''', '''Time''', and '''Newsweek''' contained a rich sampling of articles addressing the bombing, complete with very telling opinions and conclusions. These magazines had enormous circulation rates and reached many American readers.

During the course of the war, Americans at home stayed informed of the happenings abroad through the media of letters from the front, newspapers, radio, newsreels, and popular news journals. Specifically, news magazines served the dual purpose of passing along first-rate information to the reader while maintaining a brief and entertaining format. Throughout the war, widely-read news journals generated a great amount of print concerning American strategic bombing. '''Reader's Digest''', '''Life''', '''Time''', and '''Newsweek''' contained a rich sampling of articles addressing the bombing, complete with very telling opinions and conclusions. These magazines had enormous circulation rates and reached many American readers.