Majorities Believe American Civil War, Two World Wars, First Gulf War, and War
in Afghanistan Were Worth Fighting, but That Vietnam War Was Not
ROCHESTER, N.Y., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Harris Poll finds that most
U.S. adults believe that with the exception of the wars in Vietnam, Korea and
Bosnia, most of the biggest wars in the history of the United States were
worth fighting and the loss of life involved. However, a 47 to 38 percent
plurality now believes that the war in Iraq is not worth fighting.
The belief that a war was worth fighting is closely linked to its
perceived success, the survey shows. Large majorities believe that that Civil
War and the two World Wars were successful and were worth fighting. A
plurality (46% to 22%) believes that the first Gulf War was successful and a
modest majority (53% to 27%) believes it was worth fighting. Opinion is more
divided on the Korean War and the war in Bosnia, which modest pluralities
think were successful and worth fighting.
A clear 55 to 27 percent majority believes the war in Afghanistan was
worth fighting but only a 31 to 27 percent plurality thinks it was successful.
Currently a 43 to 24 percent plurality does not believe that the war in Iraq
is a success, but 33 percent are not able to decide if it is, perhaps because
it is too early to say.
These are the results of a nationwide survey of 2,555 U.S. adults
conducted online between September 20 and 26, 2004.
TABLE 1
WARS WORTH FIGHTING AND LOSS OF LIFE INVOLVED
"And now a question about the wars the United States has fought. Do you think
that each of the following was worth fighting and the loss of life involved,
or not?"
Base: All Adults
Worth Not Worth Not Sure
Fighting Fighting
and Loss and Loss
of Life of Life
Involved Involved
The Civil War (1861-1865) % 70 14 16
World War I (1917-1918) % 67 12 21
World War II (1941-1945) % 80 6 14
Korean War (1950-1953) % 37 32 31
Vietnam War (1955-1975) % 17 62 20
First Gulf War (1990-1991) % 53 27 19
War in Bosnia (1992-1995) % 36 31 32
War in Afghanistan (2001-2002) % 55 27 18
War in Iraq (2003-present) % 38 47 14
Note:
Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
Dates for World War I and World War II are for U.S. participation in
these wars.
TABLE 2
SUCCESS OF U.S. WARS
"And do you think that each of the following wars was successful for the
United States, or not successful?"
Base: All Adults
Successful Not Neither Not Sure
Successful
The Civil War (1861-1865) % 72 4 11 13
World War I (1917-1918) % 74 4 6 16
World War II (1941-1945) % 82 2 4 12
Korean War (1950-1953) % 33 24 19 25
Vietnam War (1955-1975) % 6 65 14 14
First Gulf War (1990-1991) % 46 22 14 18
War in Bosnia (1992-1995) % 29 21 18 32
War in Afghanistan
(2001-2002) % 31 27 19 22
War in Iraq (2003-present) % 24 43 15 18
Note:
Percentages may not add up exactly to 100% due to rounding.
Dates for World War I and World War II are for U.S. participation in
these wars.
Methodology
The Harris Poll(R) was conducted online within the United States between
September 20 and 26, 2004 among a nationwide cross section of 2,555 adults
(aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and
household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with
their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was
also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
In theory, with probability samples of this size, one could say with 95
percent certainty that the results have a sampling error of plus or minus 2
percentage points of what they would be if the entire U.S. adult population
had been polled with complete accuracy. Unfortunately, there are several
other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably more
serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include
refusals to be interviewed (non-response), question wording and question
order, and weighting. It is impossible to quantify the errors that may result
from these factors. This online sample was not a probability sample.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National
Council on Public Polls.
About Harris Interactive(R)
Harris Interactive (http://www.harrisinteractive.com) is a global research
firm that blends premier strategic consulting with innovative and efficient
methods of investigation, analysis and application. Well known for The Harris
Poll(R) and for pioneering Internet-based research methods, Rochester, New
York-based Harris Interactive conducts proprietary and public research to help
its clients around the world achieve clear, material and enduring results.
Harris Interactive combines its intellectual capital, databases and
technology to advance market leadership through its U.S. offices and wholly
owned subsidiaries: London-based HI Europe (http://www.hieurope.com),
Paris-based Novatris (http://www.novatris.com), Tokyo-based Harris Interactive
Japan, recently acquired U.S.-based WirthlinWorldwide
(http://www.wirthlinworldwide.com) and through a global network of affiliate
firms. EOE M/F/D/V
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to
participate in future online surveys, visit http://www.harrispollonline.com.
The Harris Poll(R) #74, October 6, 2004
By Humphrey Taylor, chairman of The Harris Poll(R), Harris Interactive.
Press Contacts:
Nancy Wong
Harris Interactive
585-214-7316
Kelly Gullo
Harris Interactive
585-214-7172
SOURCE Harris Interactive
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Related links:
http://www.harrisinteractive.com
http://www.hieurope.com http://www.novatris.com
http://www.wirthlinworldwide.com
http://www.harrispollonline.com
CONTACT:
Nancy Wong, +1-585-214-7316, or Kelly Gullo,
+1-585-214-7172, both of Harris Interactive
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