What Is American Greatness

The idea of, “American Greatness,” can be understood in a multitude of ways. One way to appreciate this greatness is observing the maturation of the nation in its short existence. The United States of America has endured an extremely unique and challenging history in its relatively young existence. Despite this, the United States has undoubtedly become one of the most prominent forces in the world. Through its history and evolution, the United States has proven its greatness on a universal stage. At its founding, “American Greatness,” was the formation of a nation that secured the rights and liberties of its people from tyranny, and by 1950 this idea had broadened to include the promotion of these ideals to parts of the world where they were …show more content…
Even though America can be viewed as, “great,” it does not insinuate that it has remained great at all times. The slavery era was debatably the darkest era of American history. The atrocities committed by the American people against African-Americans is not something that should be forgotten. The institution of slavery undermines almost every ideal of America that one would describe today. Although the acts cannot be excused, it should be noted that it is something the nation ultimately overcame and improved itself because of. Even settling the issue through war, America’s union became stronger and it’s nation became closer as a result. An early aspect of greatness for the United States was its equal treatment of citizens on a basic level. Most of the founders were against the institution of slavery, but were forced to compromise on it due to the more pressing issue …show more content…
The United States initially held the isolationist and neutralic tendencies instituted by George Washington in its infancy stages. This stance was eventually disrupted by the United States entering the World War’s. Washington and the founders claimed they did not wish for America to become a world power and influence. However, the policies promoted by the founders were instituted with the knowledge of America being a young, vulnerable nation. Involvement with foreign affairs and conflicts would in the early stages of its establishment would have most definitely impacted the United States negatively. The founders built the foundation of the American people on strong ideals that would keep them together in times of adversity. Once the nation had become stable in its functions, its responsibilities to the rest of the world increased. In events such as the World Wars, it was nearly impossible for the United States to remain idle. It would have been a travesty for a nation established in the name of justice and freedom to turn a blind eye towards the rest of the world in turmoil. Without the intervention of the United States it is almost certain the world would have more widespread institutions of tyranny and