Let's see, for agendas and conflicts, I got a few in my head right now.
- US's response to the spread of Communism in the 1950s (Its involvement, and the death and displacement that ensues is supported by the hypocritical rationalisation that the war would bring freedom and democracy to a nation on a cusp of revolution.)
- US's response to terrorism, 9/11 (All out war, grave injustices to civilians and collateral damage are all hold justifiable to achieve America's aims.)
- US's many interventions in the global sphere (Its involvement in affairs such as Vietnam and Serbia has led the country to lose much of its credibility and also of its image as a fair and exemplary leader in the international arena. Refer to just war theories)
- Taliban's fundamentalist interpretation of the Koran is viewed by many as a manipulation to serve their own private and political agendas.
LINK to Crucible through the idea of theocracy, the rule of religion and law. How authoritative people (like Danforth) abuses both religion and law so to render their authority unquestioned and the people subjugated. The means by which they achieve this; justify torture, false accusations and corruption.
If it is me, I wouldn't include conflict in the school yard type examples in the exam.