The point that Alan Brinkley makes in his essay, “The Idea of an American Century”, was that the American people intended to use their nation’s great power following WWII in order to spread the American Model to other nations. The American people sought to use the United States new superpower status to push their way of life to the entire world even if that meant by force. The Vietnam War was the best example of this. The American people wanted not only to stop Communism, but also to install their own form of government upon the Vietnamese people. After coming out victorious in both World Wars, Americans felt that they would use their newfound power to spread their way of life onto others. The idea of the American Century was a possibility, …show more content…
“Above them all and weaving them all together into the most exciting flag of all the world and of all history was the triumphal purpose of freedom” (Course Slides p. 4), this adds to the proof that the idea was to make America seem better than anyone else and instill the idea into their people that we need to spread our way of life to the world. Brinkley even goes as far as to state that the events of 2001 might have brought back this idea of the American Century: “The example of the comparable efforts of a half century ago, therefore, can be seen both an inspiration and as a warning” (Brinkley p. 17). This warning could be that history is being set up to repeat itself after WWII. Also, comparing this statement to Vietnam, we have entered at first a very popular war in the Middle East in order to bring down the terrorist that committed that devastation on 9/11/2001, and years later in 2014 just like years after the War in Vietnam popular opinion has swayed and a call for the end of the war rings loudly. Just like how President Nixon ran for office on the notion of ending the War in Vietnam so too did President Obama in a way and so too has he failed. The mood of the nation after WWII and 2001 were similar, with huge popular support for the government and a yearning to instill upon others our way of life. Just like after WWII, when the mood turned to displeasure thanks in part to the Vietnam War and other actions, so too has the mood today in the continuing War in the Middle East and possible threats from North Korea and
As the Reconstruction Era ended, the United States became the up and coming world power. The Spanish-American war was in full swing, and the First World War was well on its way. As a result of the open-door policy, England, Germany, France, Russia, and eventually Japan experienced rapid industrial growth; the United States decided to pursue a foreign policy because of both self- interest and idealism. According to the documents, Economic self- interest, rather than idealism was more significant in driving American foreign policy from 1895 to 1920 because the United States wanted to protect their foreign trade, property and their access to recourses. While the documents also show that Nationalistic thought (idealism) was also crucial in driving American foreign policy, economic Self- interest prevailed.
As stronger nations exercise their control over weaker ones, the United States try to prove their authority, power and control over weaker nations seeing them as unable to handle their own issues thereby, imposing their ideology on them. And if any of these weaker nations try to resist, then the wrath of the United States will come upon them. In overthrow the author Stephen Kinzer tells how Americans used different means to overthrow foreign government. He explains that the campaign & ideology of anti- communism made Americans believe that it was their right and historical obligation to lead forces of good against those of iniquity. They also overthrew foreign government, when economic interest coincided with their ideological ones (kinzer.215). These factors were the reasons behind America’s intervention in Iran, Guatemala, South Vietnam and Chile to control and protect multinational companies as well as the campaign against communism with little or no knowledge about these countries.
The wars that America fought was primarily for that reason. The formation of the European Union was a key strategy by United States to ensure that European countries are consolidated under one umbrella that controls the political and economic affairs of the region. United States’ economic mighty, political and cultural appeal and strong military has helped maintain the status as the only truly global power. U.S. used its power to promote democracy and support countries under siege both from internal and external aggressions, a strategy that they also used to promote the interests of American companies and its people. The U.S. foreign policy through the 20th century was meant to take the lead in creating effective international institutions and arrangements to handle new challenges especially those rising from Europe, Asia and Latin America. The U.S. wanted to lead not only because it alone could have helped the international community overcome its problems, but feared that it is most likely to be hurt if it does not act. Following the victory in World War II, the U.S. led the efforts to create United Nations and NATO and also facilitated formation of new regimes in some countries to promote democracy, economic recovery, development, and prosperity which benefited those countries and their people and
During the process of reading this compilation of works, Portrait of America, many different point of views were aired. The opinion or attitude on the subject was too tainted. The authors were very biased to their perception of the "story". This book could have been much more beneficial if the facts would have stayed to the straight and narrow. Only the detrimental facts needed to be applied to these chapters. For a history class, as broad as this, this book opened too many doors that could not be explained in as much detail as would be liked. Many of the authors enjoyed mentioning the most scandalous moments of the people's lives then dropped the fact without much support or follow through as to what happened to cause or end these events. Brief summaries only tease the mind, and with the course load of most students, there is hardly extra time to investigate the matter further in detail. For a class such as History 152, biographies and/or documentary style books are more worth the while of the student. For instance make a list of a selection of novels that could be read for the class, so that every student can then explore in depth what that student thinks is interesting. Although the book was teasing in nature the chapters did flow well and were easy to read. The procession of the chapters had wonderful transition as to not loose the student. While proceeding through this book there were several different reoccurring topics that appeared. This paper will discuss these two reoccurring topics: the civil rights movement and former presidents.
After the Second World War, the American world was going to change. Things were going to be different. The U.S. was going to act differently in certain situations. On an international level they would never get involved, however after the War they took it upon themselves to protect the world. They saw themselves as the global power. They would stop the spread of communism. Clearly, the United States involved themselves in the Vietnam war since they held newborn prestige as the “superpower” of the world after their involvement and gradual victory in WWII and, therefore, wished to (and claimed they had a right to) enforce their anti-communist views upon the Vietnamese. Also these beliefs led to the clash between this war and Johnson’s hopes for “a Great Society” by spreading the ideas of false liberalism.
...y twentieth-century was both a continuation and a departure from previous United States expansionism. The countries remarkable evolution from a quiet, small country with a great idea (expansionism) to a large, amazingly successful (economically and politically) and not despotic country is truly supported and based by expansionism and imperialism. The U.S. has both strayed from its previous ideas through the "new" expansionism (the navy, the new foreign policies (Roosevelt Corollary, and Monroe Doctrine, etc.) and stayed true to the founding ideals (God, the belief in Manifest Destiny, etc.). The imperialistic ideals and highly effective policies and notions of both the "new" (1880-1914) and "old" (1776-1880) expansion periods are what truly allowed the United States to succeed, thrive, and grow into the amazingly prosperous, large, successful country that it is today.
“Until early in [the twentieth] century, the isolationist tendency prevailed in American foreign policy. Then, two factors projected America into world affairs: its rapidly expanding power, and the gradual collapse of the international system centered on Europe” . President Woodrow Wilson was the leader who would initiate the ideologies of American diplomacy in the twentieth century. Up until his Presidency, American foreign policy was simply to fulfill the course of manifest destiny, and to remain free of entanglements overseas. Although he could not convince his fellow politicians on Capitol Hill of the probable success of his ideas, he did persuade the fellow writers of the Treaty of Versailles to use his Fourteen Points. America’s role as a political global superpower was established during his Presidency, as well as the modern policy that peace depends on the spread of democracy, and that national interest consists of adhering to a global system of law.
There was nothing that affected America in 20th century like the vietnam war,It tore the nation apart .It was a costly war which took three million lives . The main reason it has so much impact on america was that some people were for the war but so many were against it .The younger nation ,especially the young men who were drafted ,did not...
The Vietnam War was a long and severe war that ended in defeat. Not only for America but for all the people lives were ruined. The soldiers who lost their lives to President Johnson who lost all hope. America suffered internally economically for a war that never made progress in favor of an anticommunist revolution. Each President struggled to put an end to the communistic movement in Southern Asia to dissolve the spread from country to country. After three presidents tried to solve this problem Nixon finally had the plan that would put in to movement that the United States did not need to the the World Police but rather a supporter to other countries. This is a serious idea that today many people in America have forgotten, especially the lesson of the war in Vietnam.
...untry to war at anytime and anywhere in the world. Because of this, the American people want to have confidence in its leader’s abilities. Plus, the actions of the President and his staff have a direct influence on the thoughts and perceptions of the people towards interference in foreign countries. Most people did not find the threat of Vietnam falling to communist rule as justification for the number of lives that were lost.
The 1950s in America are remembered as a sort of golden age in our history, not just because the economy was thriving, people could move out of the busy city to the quiet suburbs, and Humphrey Bogart and Frank Sinatra was still alive, but because things were simple. True, we entered into an arms race that would hang like a sword over the heads of the American people for the next thirty years, but other than that, people were comforted with the fact that they knew that America was the indisputable hero out to beat the malevolent villain. We were a country of Spaghetti Westerns and Superman, and were too comfortable portraying ourselves as the lawful good. However, by the time we get involved with Vietnam, more and more Americans began to become skeptical of the administration, and many began to suspect their own government was an enemy as well. With the wave of the civil rights movement and the Women’s movement, the government attempted to reprimand the flaws in the system, but there was nothing they could do fast enough to satisfy the people. As the Cold War era heated up, Presidents began to become more and more nervous in the hot seat, and this is where we see the trend of seemingly bungling, clandestine presidencies with leaders who didn’t know how to spread themselves effectually across the issues at home and overseas.
...it was in the 20th century but there are still times when America feels as if it is our mission to do. For example, after the attacks of 9/11 President George W. Bush declared, “We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it…We defend not only our precious freedoms, but also the freedom of people everywhere to live and raise their children free from fear.” There are still those who highly believe that the United States and the American people are in a higher standard than everyone else in the world. They believe that their duty as Americans is to offer hope for humanity around the world, which can be done so by instilling in them our ideals of personal and economic freedom.
The government of the United States of America is very unique. While many Americans complain about high taxes and Big Brother keeping too close an eye, the truth is that American government, compared to most foreign democracies, is very limited in power and scope. One area American government differs greatly from others is its scope of public policy. Americans desire limited public policy, a result of several components of American ideology, the most important being our desire for individuality and equal opportunity for all citizens. There are many possible explanations for the reason Americans think this way, including the personality of the immigrants who fled here, our physical isolation from other countries, and the diversity of the American population.
The Vietnam War was the first major war American’s had suffered defeat. The Vietnam war was a war of confusion, competition and biasness. The outcome of the war was far greater than an upset American nation, but a severe breakdown of the Vietnamese culture, economy, environment and government. It also had a tremendous impact on American society even up to present day. It was unclear from the beginning of the war if the American’s should even be involved. It was a war between Northern and Southern Vietnam but the U.S saw it as an indirect way to challenge the USSR’s sphere of influence in Southern Asia and to prevent the domino effect and the further spread of communism. The Vietnam War completely changed the way the United States approached military action and helped establish the role of the United States within the new world order.
...wed for it to write the rules of the game, create well established institutions that are respected by the majority worldwide, and have inspired other countries to follow in its footsteps in search of their own version of the “American Dream”. However, the decisions that generated that American prosperity were based on the notion that concessions, accountability and investment towards the future were crucial for its later success. As seen in hindsight, somewhere throughout history, this message became heavily influence by personal gains and short term gratification. If the United States wants continue as a key player, it will need to solve its domestic qualms with in turn have and continue to affect the international community. Military dominance, cultural influence and innovation cannot sustain itself in an environment that lacks stability and long term planning.