Question 1 Facts According To The Textbook Henrietta And Edw

Question 1facts According To The Textbook Henrietta And Edwards Reve

According to the textbook by Henrietta and Edwards, the history of the United States has been significantly shaped by various wars, including the First and Second World Wars and the Cold War. The First World War (1914-1919) saw the United States initially hesitant to join, with President Wilson advocating for peace but ultimately supporting entry due to German unrestricted submarine warfare that threatened American lives. After this war, America largely maintained neutrality until the outbreak of the Second World War, which was triggered by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and Germany's declaration of war. The aftermath of WWII positioned the U.S. as a global superpower advocating capitalism, contrasting the Soviet Union's communism, leading to the Cold War (1947-1991). This ideological conflict involved political tensions, military engagements like the Korean, Vietnam, and Afghanistan wars, and a global division into capitalist and communist blocs, with the collapse of the Soviet Union marking the Cold War's end.

Paper For Above instruction

Historically, the United States' participation in major global conflicts has profoundly influenced its political, economic, and social landscape, shaping its identity as a superpower. The involvement in the First World War marked a transition from a largelyIsolationist stance to active engagement in international affairs. Although initially reluctant, economic and security concerns—like German submarine warfare—pushed America into the war, culminating in its role as a principal Allied power. This shift reflected the country's emerging global influence and willingness to intervene militarily when national interests were at stake.

Following WWI, the United States adopted a policy of neutrality, avoiding deep involvement in European conflicts. President Wilson's pacifist approach aimed to prevent future wars, but the aggressive actions of Germany and others undermined this stance. The sinking of ships like the Lusitania and unrestricted submarine warfare galvanized public opinion, prompting Wilson to seek Congressional approval to join WWII, which was achieved after Pearl Harbor’s surprise attack. The U.S. then became a decisive military force contributing to the Allied victory, which also marked the beginning of its Cold War rivalry with the Soviet Union.

The Cold War was a defining era characterized by ideological competition, political intrigue, and proxy wars. The U.S. sought to contain communism, promoting capitalism as an alternative. This period saw the establishment of alliances like NATO, initiated by leaders such as President Truman, who also crafted pivotal policies like the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan to combat Soviet expansion and rebuild war-torn Europe. The Berlin Airlift exemplified Cold War tensions, demonstrating how the U.S. responded effectively to Soviet threats, which reinforced its global leadership role. The ideological battle extended into multiple regional conflicts, including Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, each driven by ideological, political, and strategic interests.

The end of the Cold War, marked by the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, signified a unipolar era dominated by U.S. influence. The Cold War's legacy remains evident in ongoing geopolitical tensions, U.S. military interventions, and efforts to promote democracy and capitalism worldwide. These wars and ideological struggles have fundamentally shaped American foreign policy and national identity, underscoring America's role as a global policeman and economic leader in the 20th century.

References

  • Henrietta, James A., and Rebecca Edwards. America: A Concise History, Volume 2: since 1865. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2012.
  • Gaddis, John Lewis. The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Books, 2005.
  • Kennedy, David M. The Cold War: Challengingthe Legacy. Cambridge University Press, 2013.
  • LaFeber, Walter. America, Russia, and the Cold War, 1945-2002. McGraw-Hill, 2003.
  • Perkins, Dexter. The Cold War: A New History. Harper Collins, 1997.
  • Leffler, Melvyn P., and Mark H. Lytle. The Cold War: An International History. Routledge, 2020.
  • Hogan, Michael J. Theology and the Cold War: American Religious Politics and Foreign Policy. Princeton University Press, 2016.
  • Herring, George C. From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations since 1776. Oxford University Press, 2018.
  • Costello, Christopher. The Cold War. Routledge, 2018.
  • Foley, Neil. Learning Capitalist Culture: Deep in the Heart of Heidegger's Nursery. Duke University Press, 1999.

Related Assignments