All empires eventually fall. Did the defeat in Vietnam mark the fall of America's?

Question

We, in the UK, have seen ours fade away starting at the end of.the19h Century. Why can't the Americans accept their day is fading too?

I'm truly surprised at the depth of some of the answers to my question. I need time to consider and answer then...

Those well-reasoned arguments from Union_D and lover of Blue really got me thinking. Give me a little time to ponder their thesis.

G-man,
the government in Iraq is what is called a 'puppet regime'. the first thing they did was to sign favourable oil rights over to an American company.
I've a feeling there will be military bases in that country long after you and I are both gone.

Walt,
the American presence in Vietnam destabalised Cambodia and led to the 'killing fields'.
In a roundabout way American foreign policy is responsible for the millions of deaths there.

Answer 1

no their empire is very strong and growing all the time . But it is a very different empire from those in the past. America gains territories by toppling unsubmissive governments with espionage rather than open warfare. A handful of CIA men replace the roman legions. There was a program on the BBC about Americas empire how large it is how they control it, you might find it on their website. I would say the effects of 9/11 will slowly destroy the american empire. i was pro america until a few years after that, when i started to find why people would want to attack america. and i have to say in their shoes i would do the same. I agree with the other bloke china will be the next country we all fear.

Answer 2

First of all, it depends what you mean by defeat. The Communists did eventually take over Vietnam; however, if the United States did not intervene in Vietnam, would the Communists have just stopped at Vietnam and not continued spreading their control over the rest of Southeast Asia? I think they would have ended up taking control over much of Southeast Asia if the United States didn't intervene in Vietnam.
Secondly, how is America an empire? We don't have colonies all over the world like Britain did.
Thirdly, how is America fading? China is gaining economic power, but their military and governmental systems are still quite old. Many people who live in China don't support the government. Russia's government is starting to turn back to the Stalinist government it once was, and we all know what eventually happened to that government (Communism fell).
Basically, I don't see any things that would support your argument that America is fading.

Answer 3

Like all empires the glory days come and pass. I remember ours with fond memories, but I know that one day we'll rise again as part of the EU. The United States in many ways must be running scared,

Russia is a rising market economy and the Chinese are growing more powerful by around 15% each and every year. I believe personally that in the next 25 years China will surpass the United States as the most powerful country in the world in military terms maybe, however living standards still lag far behind.

Wonderul question,
Thank you for posting.

Answer 4

America has never been an empire. We never owned or ran most of the world, as England and Rome once did. We have always been and still are about protecting our homeland and our people. Just like Israel. Just like any other country, including yourselves, would do.

When we have been in other countries, it's almost always been either because someone asked for our help (Kuwait) or because the U.S. felt personally threatened.

Big, BIIIG difference between that and an empire.

Now, then, if you want to talk 'dyansty,' let's talk about my San Antonio Spurs!!

Answer 5

Fading, perhaps -- the fall hasn't quite started yet -- but it is being hastened by recent activity and our increased attempts at imperialism.

Vietnam was a warning of what we shouldn't do -- we didn't listen to that warning, and are paying the price now for repeating the same mistakes.

Answer 6

No but if Hillary or a liberal is elected President that'll mark the fall for America!

Answer 7

Because the empire of today isn't like yours was. We our protecting our interests, plain and simple. Name how we have an empire? Do we control territories, would we allow Iraq to establish a government if we meant to stay and keep it? Please, I'm all ears.

Answer 8

You need to start by pulling your brain out from your rectum come and tour the U.S. before you shoot off your narrow minded agendas.

Answer 9

Where is the USA's empire?

Answer 10

the VC are the ones who lost, they did not reproduce and this created a deficit in the world supply of little communist dictators.