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.
I really liked this essay and your interesting style of writing. I think it was very important that you gave a background of the start of America and addressed the counterargument by bringing up Canada. Also, it was smart to mention that whether it is positively or negatively, America will always affect the rest of the world. You did a good job of putting things into perspective, and explaining the vast impacts the United States of America has had on history for the shorter time it has existed.
ReplyDeleteYour essay very clearly states how America impacts the rest of the world making it easy on the reader to understand your point. As a reader of the essay I appreciate the fact that you chose two big main ideas (world war 1 and the economy) and stuck to them. You did not ever deviate from your main point or add in unnecessary facts that would not help your argument. Your argument on economy i especially liked and thought was really strong. You do however state that we were "officially" independent from Great Britain on september 3rd, 1783. I find that fascinating because I always thought that our independence was gained on July 4th, 1776. Out of precaution you might want to do some more research on America's birthday. If september 3rd, 1783 really is America's birthday than thank you for teaching me something new!
ReplyDeleteAs has been said, your style of writing is clear and to the point, which makes it easy and enjoyable to read. I really liked the metaphor you had at the beginning about our friends sipping their tea while Lady Liberty was going into labor with America. In response to Jumana's question, the Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, officially resolving the Revolutionary War and officially acknowledging the United States as an independent, sovereign nation. So, even though the Declaration of Independence was signed 7 years prior to that, Britain (and the rest of the world) officially recognized the United States as independent on September 3, 1783.
ReplyDeleteI liked how your post was informative, but not at all boring to read – that’s hard to do sometimes! Everything was to the point. I also thought it was a good idea for you to address a counter-argument as well, but I wasn’t so clear on how the counter-argument itself had to do with your purpose of saying how America impacted history. You continued with very solid evidence on how America made both positive and negative impacts, but I didn’t quite understand what these examples had to do with proving the counterargument, “America impacted history because it was created in the time frame most people are educated about” wrong. Other than that, good job!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your essay because it was straight to the point, but it also had a lot of facts that you stuck by and supported. It's also good that you have both positive and negative. The thing I liked the most was how you brought up that America is a relatively young country. It's very hard for a country to rise up to world stage in such a small frame of time which makes the impacts you talked about seem so much greater. What do you think has allowed America to rise so quickly? Is it the ideals, great leaders or just specific events that occurred that allowed America to grow quicker than many other young countries?
ReplyDelete