The Most Important Wars in U.S. History.
We were talking about U.S. wars today in my History class and I had a slight disagreement with my professor. I would like to see what you all think:
If you were to name 4 U.S. wars that were the most influential on U.S. history what would they be? (Influenctial politically, socially, etc. Think in the long term, what will be important 50 years from now, not just today. The Cold War is excluded, as it was not an actual war.) Explain why, and rank them if you can.
And, if you'd like, if you were to name the 3 most important things (can be a movement, a person, a policy, etc) in U.S. history from 1945 to 1992, what would they be? Explain why, and rank them if you can.
If you were to name 4 U.S. wars that were the most influential on U.S. history what would they be? (Influenctial politically, socially, etc. Think in the long term, what will be important 50 years from now, not just today. The Cold War is excluded, as it was not an actual war.) Explain why, and rank them if you can.
And, if you'd like, if you were to name the 3 most important things (can be a movement, a person, a policy, etc) in U.S. history from 1945 to 1992, what would they be? Explain why, and rank them if you can.
posted by Jesi E. at 11/03/2005 08:46:00 AM
9 Comments:
ok here we go...
Most important wars not in order:
World War I - Wilson furthered the policy of isolationism until the last possible minute when he finally gave in. After the war, we again retreated behind our wall of the Atlantic, determined never to do this again because of the atrocities of the war.
World War II - Isolationism was completely destroyed by this war. FDR wouldn't send troops because we weren't going to get involved, but the japs decided to do the stupid thing and get us pissed. Established the US as world police, established the un, established the crappy rep of the french, cemented our relationship with the uk so that they go with us on pretty much everything.
Vietnam - Created the quagmire mentality (and rightly so) instilled fear of sending troops overseas in the American people, nearly broke our confidence since we were getting our asses handed to us by a bunch of "primitives", albeit ones supplied by china, created the divisively unpopular war.
Iraq II - Set a precedent of the US' right to govern the world, regardless of whether or not there were wmd's Bush knew that Saddam had to be taken out, so he did it, first true "fast food" war, public thinks of the war as a quagmire because of immediate media coverage despite stats showing otherwise.
There you are. Let me know what you think.
Most important wars:
1) American Revolution. The British Empire was bound to disintegrate, but America’s victory meant it became a country on its own terms. From the beginning, America believed its future was in no one’s hands but its own. For examples of British colonies that had freedom handed to them, see Israel/Palestine and India/Pakistan.
2) Civil War. The Civil War was not an ideological battle over slavery, nor was it entirely fought over states’ rights. Instead, it was a clash of economies: the rural, agrarian, aristocratic South versus the railroad-reliant, industrialized North. The South never really had a chance, but the Civil War conclusively demonstrated the advantages of manufacturing over farming.
3) World War I. The war itself had little impact on the U.S., but the aftermath paved the way for America to become a superpower. Wilson’s efforts to dictate the terms of peace for Europe established America as the dominant international-policy broker. The policies enacted after World War I led directly to the Great Depression and World War II, and Wilson’s vision of world peace ultimately begat the United Nations, the Geneva Conventions, and countless other treaties, agreements, and institutions designed to end conflict and foster international cooperation.
4) War of 1812. Had we lost or even shown weakness, America may have become an inspirational but brief footnote to history as Britain reclaimed its colony. However, the British military (and treasury) was so overtaxed from the American Revolution and from defeating Napoleon that a reconquest of America was unlikely.
Most important things in U.S. history between 1945-1992:
1) The ascendancy of television. The most significant medium since the printing press. TV allows for cultural homogenization on a scale never before possible. It’s also, I suspect, largely responsible for modern feelings of alienation and depression. We can see everything—but we can’t touch any of it.
2) Vietnam. Made us more aware of the gulf between the people’s desires and the government’s actions. Created a national conscience: Thanks to television, we saw for the first time the flesh-and-blood consequences of our seemingly abstract policy decisions. We’re still coping with that.
3) Man on the moon. We’re a jaded generation, but this one gets me every time. Look at the moon. Think how long it took humans to figure out what the moon is, from the Sumerians to Aristotle to Galileo. Now think how big it is, how far away it is, how fast it moves, how barren it is. Now look at your shoes. Stand up and take a few steps. Someone just like you, albeit with fancier shoes, has walked around up there. On the moon. That’s the most amazing thing humans have ever done, except for possibly the alphabet and the rollercoaster. Space kicks ass.
Runners up: rock & roll, policy of Soviet containment
In chronological order:
1. American Revolution - started it all.
2. War of 1812 - as stated above.
3. Civil War - the first modern war, definitely a defining moment in our history.
4. World War II - the great modern example of free society resisting tyranny. The last "great" war.
Most important things:
1. The Cold War - the climate it created led to things like Vietnam and the space race.
2. The Civil Rights movement - changed American culture for the better.
3. Technology - television, computers and the internet and their impact on communications within and across culture.
War of 1812? Seriously? I really think that this is the stereotypical unimportant war. I think it was the aftershock of the American Revolution, but relatively speaking no one thinks about it and no one cares about it.
I can understand why people would state World War I, but I will disagree with it being selected for this reason: my question was on U.S. History. I think World War I affected the world, and therefore indirectly affected the U.S., but I really don't think it influenced influence the U.S. very much.
1. The Revolutionary War - it was the beginning of our American journey.
2. The Civil War - Brother against brother, though many people through the years have disagreed on its causes, this war profoundly affected every part of the US. Though not all slaves were freed and the civil rights movement took another 130 some years to become a major force, this was the beginning of a race relation shift. This also helped to cement the power of the Federal Government.
3.World War II - The emerging of the US as the guys in the white hats, the first super power and, at home, a strong sense of national accomplishment. It was what really brought us out of the Depression - we had a common enemy and we all had to work together, conserve together, sacrifice together to defeat the Axis powers. The coming home of all the GI's began the baby boom, the GI Bill for education and a long period of growth. Our victory gave us the mission of protecting the world(right or wrong) which launched us into Korea then, eventually...
4. Vietnam - the war that wasn't a war - the first war we had ever lost, there was no real beginning, no comprehensive plan and no true conclusion. The man who got us into Vietnam became an iconic maryter, Kennedy, and no one had the will to deal with the mess so it grew and grew. The prosperity of the 50's and 60's, the incredibly large numbers of young people, the advent of rock and roll as an avenue of social commentary/rebellion, the rise in recreational drug use, and, most importantly, the expansion of television created a perfect social storm. We are still reeling today.
I'll have to think more on the 3 most important things...
The Revolutionary War against the British Empire is the most signifigant military or ideological event to occur in centuries, if not in all of recorded human history. This war was fought and won for human freedom; the greatest of all causes. For one shining moment in man's continued existance on this globe he demonstrated his capacity to understand his own nature, defend his own existance as a rightfully free creature, and create for a short time the idea and substance of a moral government. Tragically these experiences died with that first generation of Americans and everything following has been the same fatefull repetition of history that all powerful nations have have befallen; fiat money, expansion of government power, repression of freedom, and widespread public apathy and ignorance of human nature.
The Revolutionary War was the only semi-moral war America has ever fought, and the most important. All other wars have been unjust extensions of the immorality of our government; and the failure of the people.
All other wars have been an increasing attack on the constitution and the idea of human freedom. Every war brings us closer to surrender of everything. When man is told falsely, but slyly that his life and nation are in danger...he sacrifices more.
As far as 3 important events in American history? The signing of the Constitution and 10 years later the Bill of Rights. The establishment of the Federal Reserve System. The creation of the United Nations. The latter's purpose but to destroy the former.
I suggest you, Ms.BlackandWhite read "The Monster From Jekyll Island". Next to "Atlas Shrugged" it is probably the most enlightening book I have ever read. I can't think of a better way to encourage you to read it, beyond that statement.
I'll look at the book, John Galt, and I'll let you know what I think. Sounds like a good winter break project.
As I was..."The Creature from Jekyll Island" by G. Edward Griffin; the creature is no doubt a monster but I gave the wrong title.
1. Civil War
Cemented the Union together and still shapes the concepts of states rights and individual liberties. Led to Emancipation Proclamation, 13th and 14th Amendments. Besides the end of slavery and the ensuing civil rights struggle, it gave us the 14th amendment which applies the bill of rights to the states (Gitlow v New York), established that anyone born in the US is a US citizen, and the due process clause that is used ad nauseum.
2. Mexican War
Easily the most underrated American War. Where we be without our California ports? Aprox 1/3 of our size comes from resulting annexations. Without it we wouldn't have LA, Hollywood, Vegas. US would look very different ethnically too.
3. Vietnam
The war we lost and that no one wants to stop talking about. Until recently the Could we have won? Should we have been there to begin with?
4. WWII
The resulting power vacuum from the defeat of Nazi Germany led to the Cold War.
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