How does the US view the rest of the world?

            The question is, “How does the US view the rest of the world?” Before this question can be answered, the question it implies must first be addressed: how does the US view itself in relation to the rest of the world?
            How many times have you heard the phrase “city on a hill” (credits go to our dear friend John Winthrop)? How many times have you heard the metaphor that America is a beacon of hope, a shining example for the rest of the world to look up to? How many times have you heard the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, sung before all sorts of sporting events, like ballgames, basketball games, and hockey matches? How many times have you held your hand over your heart and pledged allegiance to the flag and to the United States of America? How many times have you watched the July 4^th fireworks go off after a weekend of red, white, and blue streamers and waving flags? So, how many times? There are too many to count. Americans clearly take immense pride in their nation, flaunting their patriotic pride every chance they get.
            Now, if America is already that “city on a hill”, then where are all the other countries located? There is no more room on the top of the hill, meaning the rest of the world must scramble to find their place elsewhere. One country might be a village that’s near the top, and another may be a little community near the foot of the hill. However, one thing is for sure: the prime spot has already been reserved and taken.
            All these sentiments point towards the belief that America is number one. America is the best. With this kind of assertion, America assumes that the rest of the world is less capable and less powerful. And so, all these nations are seen as in need of America’s assistance, advice, and aid. After all, isn’t that what’s taught in school? Help those who are less fortunate.
            Take a look for yourself. The next time your school has an activities fair, walk around and see how many clubs are dedicated to helping and raising money for other countries. The next time you visit church, take note of which countries your youth group is planning to send care packages to. Which countries are people planning to visit over the summer for a mission trip? A popular response seems to be anywhere in Africa. Why?
            It seems that even from a young age, Americans are conditioned to believe that America is better off than the rest of the world. A kindergartener will go home and share with their parents that they just learned about Shabani, an eight year old HIV/AIDs infected boy living in poverty in Zambia. A fifth grade class will begin a class project to raise awareness of the exploitation of child labor in sweatshops in China. During sophomore year in world history, students will debate about the Cold War and how the world needed a leader like America to try and stop communism, even if it meant America overreaching on foreign policy by sticking its nose in another countries’ business, declaring itself the leader of anti-communist countries, and going to war with other countries like Vietnam and Korea. After all, America was “helping”. Meanwhile, everything America does seems glorified in comparison. Americans see themselves on some golden path to success as each citizen has constitutional rights, as technological innovations are made to release the newest version of the iPhone, and as they elect the first black president (just to name a few).
            It doesn’t matter whether or not this belief of American exceptionalism is actually supported and backed by factual evidence; this feeling existed in the past, exists in today’s society, and will continue to exist in the future.

How the U.S. has had an impact on human history

                In its nearly three-century history the United States has had a dramatic impact on history.  It has had a lot of direct impacts on human events, such as its direct involvement in military action, foreign aid, and economic interests worldwide; is has also had many indirect effects as well.  Overall the United States has created a legacy of leadership and hope that will endure in human history for generations to come.

                The U.S.’ direct intervention in many events around the world has enormous consequences, and perhaps the most consequential of these actions is one which involves the military.  The U.S’ involvements in wars over the past two centuries have often changed their courses, and its starting of some of them have far-reaching consequences on history.  An example of the former type of action was the recently-ended War in Iraq.  The United States began the war due to concerns about weapons of mass destruction that Iraq allegedly possessed, and because of the possible consequences that could arise from them.  Although few weapons were recovered, programs to produce them were still in place.  Had the U.S. not intervened, Iraq could have resumed its production of possible weapons, which could have had disastrous consequences for the world.  Another example of the influence of the U.S. is seen in World War II.  During World War II, it was the U.S. using nuclear weapons that brought a relatively quick end to the war.  The only other option that was being considered was Operation Downfall: an all-out invasion of Japan, which would have cost many lives and resources.  The U.S. decision to use atomic weapons brought a quick surrender and a relatively clean end to World War II, which otherwise could have caused much more damage to both sides of the conflict.

                Another large area where the U.S. plays a large part in history is in foreign aid.  The aid that the United States provides to countries around the world greatly influences the course of human history.  During the years of fighting in World War II, Congress passed the Lend-Lease program, which allowed the President of the U.S. to give aid to foreign countries to help further the war effort.  This had two large consequences; first, it helped a financially-struggling Britain to keep up in the war, and second, it eliminated the United States’ policy of neutrality that it had worked hard to keep running.  This would set the stage for later involvement in the war, which was critical in its outcome, as stated above.  After the war ended U.S. aid continued as the reconstruction efforts in Europe began, and played a key role in helping to rebuild a shattered Europe. 

                A third example of the U.S.’ impact on history is in its economic power.  As the United States controls more than a fifth of the global GDP, and is also the largest importer of goods in the world, the effect that its actions have on the economics of the world is immense.  One example of the U.S.’ effect on imports is the case of oil, which is the key export of many Middle-Eastern countries.  Because these economies are fueled by our need of the oil, our economy affects these countries’ decisions to a great degree (an example of this is the 1973 Oil Crisis).  Besides imports, the U.S.’ exports also have a large effect on the world’s economy.  Because the U.S. is the second-largest importer of goods in the world, the countries that it chooses to give goods to will benefit much more than those that it doesn't.  This will have an great impact on which countries will play larger roles in the world economy, which in turn has a large impact on the course of human history.

                Overall the U.S. has served as a leader in the world on many fronts, such as the economy, aiding countries around the world, and military intervention.  It has served as inspiration for many countries around the world with its archetypal “rags-to-riches” history, and has inspired many of them to follow in its footsteps to their own independence.  By spreading freedom around the world it inspires others to seek their own freedom; women, the lower class, and the unfortunate all heed this message.  In trying to create a better world for all, the U.S. has a great impact on human history.

How has America impacted history?

How has America impacted history?

The United States of America officially won its' independence from Great Britain on September 3, 1783, turning 229 years old this year.  At first glance, that seems like a long time ago.  Think of how much the world has progressed since then; the invention of the telephone, two world wars, countless natural disasters, forty four presidents inaugurated, and the list goes on and on.  However, when you put 229 years into retrospect, it is not a very long time.  For instance, Great Britain officially became a nation on July 12, 927, meaning the country is 1,085 years old this year.  Our tea sipping friends from across the pond were celebrating their 856th birthday when Lady Liberty began going into labor with America!  With this being said, how is it that the United States played, and plays, such a large role in history since its formation back in the late 1700's?     

Before I begin to argue my point, let me address the opposition.  Another individual reading this blog post may think to him or her self, “America impacts history because it was created in the time frame that most people are educated about.”  I agree with this argument, however, our friendly northern neighbors in Canada officially gained their independence about 60 years later in July of 1867.  Why is it that Canada is not as prominent in the past 300 years of history as America?
The founding father’s took a great leap in creating a free republic, with a government driven by the peoples’ vote because, at the time, this government system had not been attempted.  Along with the determination of these men who drafted our nation’s Constitution, it is the millions of Americans who have striven to chase their dreams here in this free nation who have built America into the country that many other’s around the globe envy.  The United States of America has had such an impact on history due to it’s quick rise into a global power.  

A good example of how America has impacted history can be seen in the nation’s involvement in World War I.  At the beginning of the war America stayed neutral, refusing to ally with any country.  Although this mentality changed with the numerous German attacks on American ships, killing innocent people.  America declared war on Germany in 1917.  This was America’s first large-scale test in warfare, but the Americans were confident that their nation’s army was strong and well-equipped.  This rang true when the American force reached Europe to support their deprived French and British allies over in Europe because only a few years after their arrival the war fell into the control of the Allies.  The Americans gave the French and British the power they needed to punch through the German blockades and overtake the German government to terminate one of the most enormous and tragic wars the world has seen.  The Americans were so influential in World War I because of America’s industrial dominance over the world.  The U.S. could produce more than enough weapons and supplies to meet the demands of the army.         

On the other hand, America has also impacted the world negatively.  In the 1930’s and 1940’s there was a global economic depression.  This worldwide economic downfall was a result of the stock market crash in America.  Many countries around the world depended on the American market for their economies to thrive.  However, with the American market in ruins, the rest of the world did not know where to turn.  Unemployment rates soared as income levels dropped to new lows.  Not only was this a depression on the world’s economy but one for the world’s moral, sending many people into an emotional depression.  America’s dominance of the world can be seen here because of its ability to sway the world economy with its own economic actions.  Sending the world into an economic depression is not an easy task, and can only be completed by a nation of true global control.  

America can be looked at as a young nation in the eyes of the rest of the world.  Yet, its accelerated rise to a global power soon after its formation back in the late 1700’s is the reason why America has had a large impact on history.  America’s world dominance allows it to sway the world’s economy both negatively and positively, and even allow enter a war and dictate its outcome.      

 

Good, but not the Best

Is America an exceptional country?

How do others view America? 

Everyone wants to live in America. People from all around the world dream of coming to the United States of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. Here, they will have an opportunity to build the foundation to a prosperous life for themselves and for generations that follow. This life that is built will presumably be a higher quality and more supportive lifestyle that one used to pursue. People believe that in America, there is not a worry about their religious beliefs, that no one can persecute them for differing view. People believe that there will not be judgement based on outwardly appearance or personal ideas, and they are right, in America, everyone fights for their freedoms and violations are taken seriously. That, however, does not make America the most exceptional country in the world. In reality, America has been lagging in its efforts to stay on top in categories such as education, economy and welfare. In each of these categories, the country has previously been top-ranked, while recently, the rankings have dropped.

There are excellent secondary education schools in the United States, some internationally ranked, but the overall results from our education systems do not compare to the results shown by other countries. It would seem that in such an education oriented country, the education system would be top notch and encompass all students. Out of the world, the United States are ranked 14th in reading, 17th in science and 25th in math (USA Today). Countries like Singapore, Finland and Canada consistently score higher than the United States because their students tend to be more well-rounded. America's issue is the diverse range of students and the education system's inability to cover the needs of poverty-stricken students. The United States has the largest number of impoverished students (The Washington Post) but that means that the country has to come up with an administrative idea that encompasses those students. Without changes, America will continue to lag behind in their education. 

As noticeable from the recent Presidential campaigning, America's economy is at a low point because of the national debt and high unemployment rate. There was a time when the United States held the number one ranking for their economy, but that time is in the past. The country now holds the 10th spot for economic freedom score, which includes factors such as rule of law, regulatory efficiency and government spending (The Heritage Foundation). In this economical state, it is hard for the common person to get hired for a new job or even sustain the one they currently hold. Even college graduates have trouble obtaining a job during these difficult economic times, and they have had one of the highest forms of education the United States offers. There has to be important decisions made to determine the best ways to spend and collect money, otherwise the country’s economy will continue tanking. Although America may have been outstanding in its economic policies in previous years, the state of the present economy does not compare and is not exceptional. 

As a result of the economic issue, the welfare of American lives has decreased despite the beliefs of the “American Dream”. Anyone who dreams of living in America dreams of a white house with a swimming pool in the backyard and a country club next door. The reality is that 46.2 million Americans are living under the official poverty line and 21.7% of American students are part of that 46.2 million (The New York Times).The middle class has been in distress as the unemployment rates have dropped and people are unable to make enough money to support families or themselves. There is a growing gap between the upper class and lower class, simply because the rich are rich enough to not be affected by the recession and the poor are too poor to do anything about it. Even though people think Americans live the perfect life, especially in these times, its far from perfect.

Needless to say, America is a proud country. During the 2012 London Olympics, many Americans stared at the television, cheering for every Olympic win. When an American athlete won in an event, it was not just the athlete that won, all of America won. This ambitiousness and belief that the nation is worthy of being on top the American people show can be used to boost the country to an international high. Especially with the presidential election this year, it is evident that people are trying to create a better country, trying to boost America to live up to the expectations of its citizens and supporters. Although clearly not the most exceptional country in the world, America is still an excellent country with valid attributes that attract the attention of foreigners. Based on high rate of immigration despite the lagging aspects of the country, education, economy and welfare, it is clear those are not the characteristics others look for in America. The appeal is the freedom to express oneself in every way, the opportunities that await them in this great country, and the hope of creating a better future.

USA Today: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-12-07-us-students-international-ranking_N.htm

The Washington Post:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/back-to-school-rethinking-americas-global-education-rankings/2012/08/27/af11b510-f06e-11e1-ba17-c7bb037a1d5b_blog.html

The Heritage Foundation: http://www.heritage.org/index/country/unitedstates

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/us/14census.html?pagewanted=all

The Impact of the US on Human History

David Papp

The Impact of the US on Human History

America has risen from the tiny Puritan settlements whose survival was at times doubtful to become a nation of unprecedented power and influence over the globe. With its founding and lead of sophisticated technologies that link even the most distinct parts of the world, the US revolutionised the rate of technological growth and communication. Despite foreign criticism of American extravagance, America’s standard of living and apparent happiness has resulted in a worldwide attempt to imitate the American lifestyle of hard work and opportunities. People abroad are gradually and subconsciously creating mirror images of the American Dream. This revolutionised ideology is replacing the traditional and more social oriented cultures and setting the world on a capitalist path focused solely on wealth.

The scientific powerhouse of the world, the US has essentially restructured the world into a vast matrix of communication. By encouraging the world’s brightest minds to work here since the dawn of the scientific era, the US created an unparalleled environment for innovations as significant as computers, space research, and the World Wide Web. These technologies have revolutionised communication: rather than the months it takes for news to deliver from Asia to America, it’s a mere millisecond in the digital age. The impacts of such powerful communication are innumerable, from global exchange of languages to being able to share one’s favorite links on social network sites. They have knitted the distinct minds of the world into one omnipotent brain with endless information. Consequently the rate of technological growth has become exponential for the first time in the course of human history: the total number of patents in the last decade has been more than in all years prior, and cancer research hopes to achieve more in the next decade than it has in the last fifty. While some might argue that this spark in technological growth wasn’t America’s doing but rather an inevitable process, the fact that the US pioneered most significant technologies and controls most of them now indicates otherwise.

Perhaps even more important than the rate of growth of communication is the psychological impact of the US. When mentioned to a foreigner, the US does not invoke the same images of liberty, patriotism, and beauty as it does to a US citizen. Instead, the reaction is generally negative, with comments on how greedy, selfish, extravagant, and egocentric Americans are. Nevertheless, even the greatest critics acknowledge an awe for the legendary power and wealth that appears to stem from capitalist gambles and equal opportunities in America. Europeans have long held their motto “Live to work, not work to live,” but as America does just the opposite with its endless number of stressful office jobs and complaining workers and yet still appears to be happy, people intuitively gravitate towards the American example. The impact is already visible: a general trend towards fewer vacation days in Europe, more impersonal business worldwide, and higher financial aspirations for individuals. Consequently the social life characteristic of Europe is deteriorating as people obsessively focus on their careers and see potential competition in their peers rather than seeing potential friends. As an example, while drive-thrus are common in the US as food here is viewed as a mere necessity and time drain, restaurants and coffeeshops in Europe are an integral part of social life. They provide social environments for friendly discussions. With the increasing influence of American lifestyle, drive-thru restaurants are coming to dominate the world and social life is in a decadence as people are no longer finding the time and purpose to enjoy each others’ company in traditional restaurants.

If the price of the American Dream is so substantial, many wonder why the globe is slowly but surely adapting American lifestyles. With its greater income per capita, superior services, and lavishness, America presents incontrovertible indications of financial success that are tempting to anyone. Through the course of evolution, humans have become naturally geared towards competition as necessary for survival. Since measures of financial success are more concrete than measures of moral success or perceived happiness and ensure better “survival,” people sacrifice other aspects of their lives, such as social and family time, just to obtain these. Furthermore, wealth and power hold the grandest status that allows people wielding them to belittle those who do not, which provides a significant incentive for people to obtain wealth and power. Since the US has both significant wealth and unrivalled power, it’s understandable that foreigners seek to imitate the US in hopes of achieving the same.

The United State’s impact extends beyond the obvious globalisation and unprecedented technological growth to a psychological molding of nations. Inspired by the wealth and status of the US, foreigners pursue the American dream of social mobility through hard work and opportunities, but in the process lose their traditionally social societies and become slaves of their work.

How has the US' community evolved: A Day in the Life

Alison Cameron
Honors American Literature
10/28/12

  A Day in the Life of the American Teenager:

         How the American Community Has Changed.

Tumbling out of bed, you walk downstairs and turn on the seven o’clock news for the weather. You know the weather  never really comes until half past seven, but it’s become such a habit to switch the television on immediately. On the fluorescent screen, a middle aged man with a blonde hairpiece babbles about some foreign policy issue that has been all over the news for the past few days; something to do with China or Cuba, one of those places. The plastic-looking newscaster drones on and on about Congress failing to come up with a solution due to the lack of bipartisanship, or something along those lines. The subsequent segment talks about the presidential debate that occurred the night before, with one of the candidates saying some persuasive garbage about America remaining on top, even in its current devastating economic situation. You watch all of this news coverage play on, unaware of what it is actually saying in your half-asleep haze. Eventually, the overly perky weather girl appears on the screen, and you finally start to pay attention.

Arriving somewhat well-fed and awake at school, you brace yourself for another day. You grumble greetings to your classmates, if they’re lucky they get  a smile. In first block AP US history, the teacher lectures the class about the foundations of America and the Founding Father's expectations. You scarcely listen, having heard the words "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" and the lowdown of the Bill of Rights too many times in your life. However, most of your classmates are taking in the lecture hook, line, and sinker. They nod and smile in agreement (well, as much as one can nod and smile at eight in the morning), even one piping up saying, " Aren't these the factors that make America the greatest country in the world?" The class listens to the teacher's answer, not even regarding the fact that everyone silently agrees that America is the greatest country in the world. Yourself included, you don't question the idea that America is on top of the world, but rather try to avoid eye contact with everyone in the room in attempt to get last night’s chemistry homework done. Amusingly, the person beside you is finishing the same worksheet, but you two don't help each other. The bell rings just as you complete the last problem. While you rush off to your next class, your fellow procrastinating classmate is stuck on that final problem.

School rambles on, you hand in your messily-completed homework and grunt at your classmates when they attempt to speak to you. Sure, you may be a bit grumpy today, but if you look around you don't see much a difference from yourself and your other classmates. Either they are half asleep, or extremely rude if anyone tries to inquire into their business. Even the teachers a lot of the time don't look too pleased if you try to talk to them about a puzzling question on that test you bombed. You also notice that if you ask them for extra help after school they start to roll their eyes, and make you feel uncomfortable that you ask questions in the first place.

You reach the cafeteria feeling completely done with the cruel hostility of high school mornings. While you munch your food silently with your friends, they blather about some british television show you've never seen, nor do you have any desire to. Finally in a better mood after eating a dry baloney sandwich, you exuberantly try to change the subject into something a bit more interesting, like that foreign policy issue you heard about on the news this morning. However, your friends barely hear you and continue talking about some doctor traveling through time in a box. You feel neglected and frustrated, so you decide to hide out in the library behind a People magazine. More so than ever, you don't want to interact with people. Questions like "what makes people so self-centered?" or "is it really that hard to lend a helping hand?" run through your mind. But through that frenzy of anger, you come to the realization that you act the same way as everyone else. You ignore the girl next to you who struggles with the same homework in your class, you barely pay attention to what any of your teachers have been saying all day, and you refuse to even watch, never mind talk about, that seemingly-idiotic-but-may-actually-be-fantastic british television show. Yes you realize your anger is coming from your peers, but you start to wonder: are you the cause of their hostility? Is your constant foul mood ruining your relationships with people? You consider the questions throughout the rest of the school day, and try to be conscience of how you act around everyone else. Maybe if you change, they will too.

When you finally get home from after school sports practice, you sit by your computer and see who's online on Facebook. You chat some acquaintances about homework and that awful Spanish teacher you two had last year, but for the most part you have no idea what to say. In fact, you rarely talk to these people face to face. But you wonder: do you ignore them, or do they ignore you? Too exhausted to answer that question, you work on your huge amounts of homework that's due the next day. Despite your efforts, you fall asleep in your chemistry textbook at around one in the morning. You wake up in front of the computer screen, seeing that you have five emails from two different colleges and three emails from your teachers about some essay or lab that's due in a week. You rub your eyes, pick up your pencil, and start to read about atomic particles. Unknown to you, the cycle of the day of isolation and bitterness begins again as you turn on the news and vaguely listen to the report about the settlement between the US and China. Or was it Cuba?

How does the US view the rest of the world?

Since its founding, the US has always been clear on how they want to be viewed. America wants to be seen as a shining city on a hill for the rest of the world and as an example of an exceptional community. But what is America’s view on places outside of its country? The US’s views on the rest of the world extend only to how the rest of the world affects America or whatever limited exposure Americans receive back in the States. 

            To understand why this is true, we have to see where America is in the world. The US occupies a huge chunk of North America , and this limits how Americans view the rest of the world because they isolated are so far away from everyone else. The only foreign exposure Americans get is when they affect the US directly and from what we are told. The US’s only neighbours are Mexico down south and Canada to the north and Americans generally don’t have a complete perspective of even them.

            Everyone can see how the US views the world when a big crisis occurs. For example, during the Cold War, Russia and the US were on the brink of nuclear war, as a result of tense relations.This caused Americans to see everyone that was Communist in the world as a threat. We can also see this behaviour after 9/11 and during the War on Terror. Suddenly the Middle East was viewed as an evil place full of terrorists and there was incredible prejudice against Muslims. Sometimes it doesn’t even have to be conflicts like war, but things like economic crises. China is a huge economic opponent of the US and it undercuts America with its lower wages. Now whenever Americans think of China they think of cheap factories that exploit their workers. Without these type of events Americans do not usually have any views about the rest of the world at all because the USA is so isolated and self absorbed they simply don’t have to care. These views sprout up after being threatened and when the rest of the world comes kicking the US’s door down. 

            Since the US is a melting pot of people from different backgrounds, they also affect the way Americans view the world. How do Americans view Japan? The general American thinks Japan is full of sushi, robots and computers. This is because there are many sushi restaurants in America set up by Japanese immigrants in the US. Americans also buy lots of technology from Japan. How do Americans view Mexico? They think of it as full of drugs, beans and burritos. Although there are diverse cultures in the US, Americans’ view of the world is still limited because the average American is exposed to only a part of the the culture. This affects how Americans view the world both positively and negatively. It gives Americans a taste of the rest of the world in their isolated country which is better than being completely oblivious. However, by not painting a complete picture of a place to the average American, he or she will have a restricted view and start forming generalisations.

            Because the US is introverted, Americans views on the rest of world are based on how foreigners affect them and the partial picture its immigrants give them. This is a self centered way to view the rest of the world and creates a breeding ground for stereotypes, but the world is a big place and its hard for one to see past and leave the hill, especially when there is already a city on top.

-Jerry Huang 

Operation Sweets: An Instance of America's and American Exceptionalism's Impact on History

Lieutenant Charles Hunter fiddled with the buttons of his faded jacket, his hands slightly clammy with anxiety and anticipation of the operation ahead. Today would be his first day piloting one of the USAF’s C-54’s, the cargo transporting aircrafts that were currently being used to fly supplies into Soviet-blockaded Berlin. In an effort to exert control over Germany, the Soviet Union had cut off all land supply routes into Berlin and the Allies had resorted to ferrying sustenance across the sky to starving Berliners. Hunter was particularly concerned over stories he had heard of Soviet aircrafts “buzzing” or feinting attacks at the Allied carrier planes. Caught up in his own thoughts, Hunter jumped when he felt a hand descend on his shoulder.

“Worryin’ about the buzzers? They’ll fly at you like angry bats but that’s really all they do. None of ‘em're looking to pick a real fight with us just yet.” The weather-worn face of Colonel Brown, a fellow pilot, grinned at him reassuringly. Hunter returned the smile with a sheepish one of his own.

“They’ll need more than just a couple buzzers to stop me. I’ve got the weight of two nations on my back. Germany may have been our enemy once, but America will not stand by while innocent civilians are being used as pieces in a tyrant’s game.”

Colonel Brown chuckled approvingly. “Good man.”

It was nearing time for their operation to begin and Hunter moved to get his crew boarded on the airplane, but was stopped by the colonel’s hand on his elbow.

“Lieutenant? Would you mind doing me a favor?”

“Anything, sir.”

The colonel 's gray eyes flicked around quickly before he surreptitiously handed Hunter three small packages, each strung to a cloth handkerchief.

“Drop ‘em down when you’re flying over the city. They’ve got parachutes on ‘em so they’ll fly by themselves.”

Hunter lifted a corner of the cloth that one of the bundles was wrapped in and glimpsing the contents of the package, became even more confused. He looked up at the colonel with a questioning look.        

“Sir?”

Colonel Brown merely gave the younger lieutenant a confidential smile. “Just something one of my buddies started. But remember, keep it low,” he said with a wink, before clapping Hunter on the shoulder and leaving the lieutenant to puzzle out the mystery of the wrapped bundles by himself. 

                                             -------------------------

            Hunter was awestruck by the sight of the delapidated buildings and mounds of crumbled wreckage as he flew over the city of Berlin. He wondered how it was even possible for people to live in a city that was literally falling apart. From the less-damaged structures that remained relatively stable, pockets of civilians ventured out and heads poked out of the windows to peer inquisitively up at the aircraft as it rumbled overhead. By the time they landed at a port to unload, a crowd of eager Berliners had already gathered to receive the much welcome supplies. Hunter found himself immediately surrounded by a cluster of knee-high children, their round eyes transfixed on him in identical expressions of curiosity and awe. In some of their hands, he recognized the bundles he had ejected from the rear chute of the plane per Colonel Brown’s wish. Hunter smiled warmly in understanding when the children reached into the bundles and pulled out a variety of chocolate bars and candy sticks which they distributed carefully amongst themselves.

“Don’t give up, Mister,” implored a young boy in heavily accented but nevertheless understandable English. “Mama says she heard the Soviets are getting tired now. They didn’t think you’d be so strong. Soon, we can be free!”

Hunter felt his heart tug at the hopefulness and gratitude in the child’s voice and suddenly felt immense pride for his mission. Wasn’t this the very essence of America, the throwing-off of tyranny and the perseverance for liberty out of which America herself was born? And here they were, sharing the strength and determination accumulated from their country's history to aid a struggling sister nation. The Soviet Union was definitely a force to be reckoned with, and the Americans knew all too well how taxing the defiance of domination was; but by God, if it worked for America, then they could make it work for these children and all of the people of Berlin as well.

“You bet, buddy,” said Hunter, kneeling down to unwrap a Hershey chocolate bar for the delighted boy. “Soon, you’ll be free. I promise.”

On May 12^th, 1949, the Soviet Union finally relented their blockade of Berlin, acknowledging the unexpected success of a team effort between the Allied nations. The United States in particular played an important role in rallying support and donations for the Berlin Airlift through “Operation Little Vittles”, in which pilots dropped packages of candy onto the city below to raise the morale of suffering Berlin children. America’s leadership and exceptionalistic value of liberty, which was a driving force of the Berlin Airlift, impacted history by rewriting the fate of the Berliners and diminishing the Soviet Union's influence without outright war. 

How has the U.S Made an Impact on History?

                It is the U.S’s aspirations to be a leadership society that propels the country to achieve great things. Throughout history, the U.S has adapted new ideas, and has used their resources to their advantages, being the most technologically powerful nation in the world. Technology is one of the resources that make a country move forward. The U.S has used their knowledge to achieve things that grabbed the rest of the world’s attention, and making an impact in history.

                The Americas in the 15^th and 16^th centuries was a land of opportunity for those coming in from European countries in search for fortune, discoveries, resources, or fleeing from religious persecution. Many immigrants settled in North America, finding that the bountiful lands were suitable for agriculture, survival, and the ability to trade. By the 1700’s, autocratic rule from Great Britain started creating tension with the colonists to the point that a revolution was sparked – starting with the colonists demanding independence from Britain. The birth of the U.S was significant because of the new ideals of democratic principles was essential. The U.S Constitution was by The People for The People, starting the path for the U.S to hold dear the concept of democracy, which other countries do not. This country did go through difficulties, especially with the fundamental question of what to do with slavery. The bloody Civil War had to be fought between the North and the South to determine the direction the U.S would have to take with slavery, but in the end, the North won and slavery was ended, which was the right thing to have happened to make the U.S a truly democratic country. 

                Then, the industrial age happened. A lot of inventors blossomed in the United States, making their marks in history, such as Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, and Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone and combustion engines spawned entire industries known to Americans, such as Henry Ford, who were able to mass produce mechanical vehicles that transported things across the United States.  Modern industrialists also made their mark, taking advantage of modern inventions.. The U.S used modern ideals to make an impact in history by using technology. During the advent of World War I, the U.S made strides in technological development, especially in military hardware. Airplanes, such as those invented by the Wright Brothers, assumed great importance in battle. After WWI, the economy was good, but the excesses in business caused greed and manipulation of the free markets. This led to the Great Depression in 1929, due to the crash in the stock markets. The entire U.S was affected, putting many people in poverty. It took good leadership from President D.  Roosevelt to put in place “The New Deal Plan,” and regulations that slowly got the country out of this economic downturn.  By the start of World War II, the military complex in the U.S was in the position to create arms for their allies in Britain to fight Nazi Germany.  Developments in warfare were made in areas such as weaponry, industrial production, medicine, and communications and intelligence. It was all this advanced technology that helped the U.S. win WWII. When the U.S entered WWII, its military capabilities would be tested on the early onset of war. Through successful strategy and industrial advantage, the United States, with her allies, turned the tide against the Axis powers and was able to defeat them, thus winning the war. One of the advances the U.S made during WWII was nuclear weaponry – unfortunately, the impact the U.S made in history with this is that she is the only country to have deployed nuclear weapons against another country.

                After WWII, the Soviet Union and the United States were challenging each other on outer space exploration. It was a race between the USA and the USSR.   Determined to show Russia what America was capable of doing in the field of space exploration, President Kennedy issued a challenge that the U.S would send a man to the moon and be back safely before the end of the decade in 1961. In just 60 plus years, astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first human to be able to fly in an aircraft and walk on the moon. The United States’ aspiration to literally reach for the stars made the U.S an accomplished, technologically advanced country.  Her actions and democratic ideals in the past is what makes the U.S the country it is today.