Is the USA one of the greatest nations ever?

Question

Has it done anything revolutionary or worthy enough to be remember thousands of years from now? Take Athens (more of a city state of Greece) it founded democracy, science, philosophy and created a whole new way of thinking. Persia at one time nearly ruled all of the known world. Great Britain; the simple fact that countries today still call it that even though it isnt the most powerful is enuff'. There are other nations that have, in some way, stood out above the others and furthered our development as Human Beings. My question is, can the USA compare or is there another country (currently) that is more "important" to Human History?

Helen B, I know about the British Empire and it controlling a dam near everything (thats why they call it GREAT Britain...), plus that famous quote "The Sun never sets on the British Empire" literally. Im love UncleThadd's answer though and his definition of the word "great". Few ppl can say that Hitler and Stalin were great. Both, in my opinion, were evil pricks that deserved to burn in hell for eternity BUT what they did was "great" as UncleThadd put it.

Answer 1

I like peapatchisland's answer. He hit on some salient points. I would like to add something that nobody seems to hit on.

In World Wars I & I I, the French and English were in trouble. The US went to Europe (and Asia in World War II). The US lost over a half million soldiers killed in both wars total. For what? What did the US gain? Territory? The US did gain some territory. Ever been to the cemetaries in Europe? That is the terrritorial gain the US got from the wars.

What happened to the Phillippines? They are independent. How about the enemies of the US? The US rebuilt Germany and Japan, their two biggest enemies in World War II. Can you think of any nation that has done that? Before that, when nations were defeated in war, they were done. What do you think of the freedoms and the economies of Japan and Germany?

Remember, the only territorial gain the US has received from the wars since World War I is a place to bury their dead. That is it. And they have turned enemies into friends, not always on the best terms, but that was unheard of prior to the USA.

Oh by the way, no other nation in the history of the earth gives so much charity to other countries in their times of need. And the US has been trying to find a way to peace in Palestine, in spite of the fact some Palestinians were dancing in the streets after 9/11.

Answer 2

You make good points above regarding other nations in the past. In history, it is best to judge "greatness" by how someone or something commands the generation or age the person/place is in.

The United States has commanded half of the 20th century, but little else, whereas Greece commanded the several centuries at least. If the United States continues to exist for at least two more centuries and commands the age for those generations, it should be considered a "great".

Regarding people, for instance, a person like Churchill would be considered great because of his influence, as would Hitler, Stalin, and FDR because they loomed over an entire generation.

So, if a nation can command a generation, it is "great". Thus far the US has been "great", but if it falls in the next century or so, it may not be considered great.

Great question!

Answer 3

The American constitution is an amazing document; very enlightened and forward thinking. Its too bad that that spirit hasn't been maintained. Their great accomplishments (which are many) are being overshadowed by greed and lust for power.

The very basic principles of statehood that it put forth so eloquently are being watered down all the time. Despite great wealth, good public education for all is sorely lacking. Freedom of speech is being limited by fear mongers and petty dictators. The division of church and state is no longer evident. Just to name a few examples.

Answer 4

Now, first off, as with any nation in history, it has its good and bad aspects. From the great and majestic to the horrendous and despicable. There's no such thing a purely good group of people/national history and an utterly evil people/national history. Just like individuals, nations are a mix of both good and bad.

The point of the question is to ask whether the United States is a great, awe-inspiring nation compared to what has happen before and during its existence. So I'll try and point out the positive aspects of this country and not dwell and smear its image like people here who like to take cheap shots and are not willing to admit to some great facets of the U.S. history.

1. The Declaration of Independence/ Constitution/ Bill of Rights. (it's true, there are precedents and influences for all of these legal documents. and yes, there were some major flaws in them in terms of granting slavery and disenfranchising women and minoritites. however, you have to look at things from a great perspective. look how the creation and implementation of these documents influenced future governements from Europe, Africa, S. A. and Asia.)

2. A mindset that things are possible, within reason of course, to all if they try hard enough and endure travails. The concept that any man could pick himself up from the bottom of society and rise through the tiers of society is quite unique to this land. You didn't see much of that being espoused and encouraged from Europe or any other other land.

3. World War II. No, we didn't defeat Hitler and his Axis powers all by ourself. There we're many nations who helped stop the rise of Facism and ruthless empires including our future nemesis the USSR. However, if you were to be objective, without the manpower, fighting spirit, supplies,and pocketbook of the USA, half of the world would have been taken over by the Axis powers by the 1950s. The USA helped in a noble fight in the 1940s. That isn't patriotism or whitewashing history either, just a fundamental truth.

4. The Marshall Plan. We basically rebuilt the nations of the enemies that sought destory or subjugate us. Yes, it was for our own benefit too in the long run, but it was a wise and great act to perform. Just compare it to what the winning powers of WWI carried out to their vanquished foes or what many nations have done to other losing belligerents.

5. Diversity and a willingness to be tolerant. Our history is filled with ignorance and odious beliefs. Look at the KKK, the Know Nothing Party, the people who almost obliterated the Native Americans, the distrust of such groups as Catholics, Jews, Irish, Italians, and even today's detractors of Hispanics. Now, if you are honest and true, you'll also see the inspiring side of the coin. The Quakers , the people who sought Civil Rights in the 50s and 60s, those who seek a tolerance of other groups and cultures within this country. As much as some of us have sought evil actions, many of us have sought peace, equality, and understanding amongst diverse groups here in the USA. We sure are not perfect, but we beat the hell out of just about anyone else put in the same situation of having numerous ethnic groups trying to meld together.

6. We are a nation who likes to donate and help those in need. We are not misers or indifferent souls as much as some people would like us and others to believe. Most of us show compassion and humility when needed. I maintain the vast majority, but not all, of Americans are positive, benefactors to those in need. I'm not saying we are saints, but we are far from being spawns of hell.

7 NASA and the space exploration. Landing on the Moon six times. Sending exploring spacecraft beyond the known solar system into the vast outer reaches of the infinite Universe. The by products being an advancement in technology utilized here on Earth almost every day for bettering communication and information.

8. We revolutionized science. Yes, there are great scientist from the past and in modern day countries who deserve admiration, but for the most part, most the great achievements in the past century have sprung up from here. Airplanes. Phones. Food production. Health care and sanitation. Expressways/interstates.

9. We helped to bring down the USSR along with our allies during the Cold War. Capitalism is definitely has flaws, but communism has far greater evils aspects when it is implemented. Communism also doesn't work, but that's another topic/question. And no, the USSR is not a misunderstood Goliath. They committed a great deal of heinous acts under the reign of Stalin and future oligarchies . As much as I dislike Ronald Regan at times, he did perform a good act for the whole world its future development by helping to accelerate the downfall of the Soviet Empire. He didn't do it all by himself, but he sure did play a significant part.

10. I'm not a war hawk. I'm not into guns or fighting. However, I have to admit, the achievements of the United States military are quite impressive taken as a whole. Compare our military to that of any other and you will find very, very few either equal or superior.

11. The gradual equality of women. Our history is very checkered with many steps forward and several leaps back. However, is there any other large nation that allowed for the advancement of women's rights and equality? Would you rather be a woman in a culture in a country like Saudi Arabia, Japan, or in certain African lands. We, along with the U.K., led the world into the suffrogates struggle and equlity for both sexes. We aren't perfect yet but we sure are a lot more convivial than other nations even today.

For the record, I'm not saying the United States was the greatest nation to ever exist. I'm fully aware that the country is relatively still young and theoretically may not survive another 200 years. There have been other great cultures and nations before us such as the Egyptians, Romans, the U.K., Chinese, and Mongols which might surpass the United States in many aspects. However, disregarding the youth of this land, I have to say the United States has done some impressive things in its short existence. Also, to reiterate, there's also negative, dark events in this countries past too. Of course, only future historians will be able to tell the tale of whether we qualify for such a distinction as being a great country.

Answer 5

Just simply by placing a man on the moon has ensured the USA's greatness in history, not to mention: invention of the airplane and the atomic bomb and the telephone plus Mars exporation and space exploration in general.

The USA will be viewed as one of the greatest nations in history along with Rome, China, and Great Britain.

Answer 6

form of disenchanted from time to time. seem at how we manage something of the worldwide and our fellow guy. What will we base this declare on. will we've the backside crime cost? will we rank optimal in education? will we rank optimal in high quality of wellness Care?

Answer 7

Of course not. By the way, have you heard of the British Empire? It used to cover a quarter of the globe.

Answer 8

No. The US has done nothing to be worthy of the self-proclaimed title of great nation.