Has America ever done anything posative internationally ever?

Question

I was discussing America with a friend and their international activity thoughout history and we cant think of a single posative thing. Its all been Cold war, Nuking Japan twice when it wasnt nessicarry, their lack of involvement in WW2 only then to come in at the end and claim themselves as heros, their current quest to claim oil from middle eastern countries. Etc, etc.
Of corse my American friend now has lost most his faith in his country and I need some GOOD things america has done internationally to cheer him up.

Answer 1

It really comes down to your perspective. For example

The Spanish-American War can be viewed as American Imperialism, or as an attempt to end the European colonization in the Americas and the Far East that had been occurring for roughly 300 years.

American involvement in WWI (which is the war we jumped on the bandwagon for, not WWII) shortened the war by at least a few months, if not a year. Wilson pushed for a less harsh peace treaty, so what if he wasn't entirely successful? Think of what the Versailles Treaty would have looked like without a moderating influence.

The US brokered a peace between Russia and Japan in 1905, keeping a war that would have killed hundreds of thousands to two major naval engagements and some minor land skirmishes.

The US sent millions of dollars of humanitarian aid to the newly formed Soviet Union in the early 20's to help reduce the effects of the famine caused by the Russian Civil War.

Before entering the war formally in Dec of 1941, the US had sent significant amounts of aid (monetary, raw material, and war goods) to England. At the conclusion of the war it was the US that was able to prevent a new war between the Soviets and the West over the fate of Eastern Europe.

After WWII the US helped rebuild Europe with interest free loans, grants, etc with the Marshall Plan. The US also prevented the USSR from annexing all of Berlin with the Berlin airlift, providing food to the helpless civilians, ending a Soviet seige.

The US defended the sovereignty of South Korea - a nation that is relatively democratic has been able to feed its people - from the aggression of a Soviet and Chinese backed N. Korea - a country that has faced numerous food shortages, famine, and excessive repression.

Over the last 50 years the US government and its citizens have given trillions in humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters and famine.

While not a copmprhensive list of positive American involvement in world affairs, but a decent start. Can a lot of these examples be viewed negatively as well? Yes. As I said before it depends on the perspective. There are usually at least two sides to any story (watch the movie Rashomon for a great example). If you compare American actions to the actions of other countries, I think you'll find that the US is in the middle of the pack. Most countries have done things that could be considered negative. To a certain extent you have to ask yourself the old Jesuit question - "Does the ends justify the means?" Sometimes its necessary to break a few eggs to make an omelet.

Answer 2

Are we talking good deeds or selfless acts? I am not a fun of the current American regime, nor of their policy concerning the middle east, however even I must admit that without their involvement in key events in world history, none of us would be free to express thoughts and opinions the way we are doing right now. Lack of involvement in WW2? People seem to forget that it was their merchant shipping that kept my country, Britain, in the fight for so long, this was before they took up arms. The cold war? Again, I feel obligated to credit them with a certain amount of restraint. Nuclear war with the Soviet Union was avoided. OK so it gave anyone with half a brain nightmares for forty or so years, but what was the alternatives? Back down and embrace Soviet communism or push the button and 'glass' the entire planet. If you are looking for selfless acts of decency, try Religion. In my opinion Politics is a spoilt brat that will not do anything for anyone unless it gets something in return. This is not just an American political condition it's a global one, and while we as a species ultimately look out for ourselves and not the needs of others, I do not believe it will change. As for your friend, forget about looking at Political America as a to standard to gauge ones faith by. Almost three hundred million people make up the population. People not politicians. Look for the good in them. I'm sure there is some to be found.

Answer 3

Youre right!!!--Bailing out France and Russia and England in 2 Worls Wars. Feeding Starving Kids in Africa--Sending Millions in Aid to under developed Countries--Sending Medical Aid every where in the world--Promoting Freedoms in South Korea and South Vietnam--Propping up countless Countries Economies--Relief Aid to Earthquake and Tsunami stricken countries world wide--Sending Technology to other countries- WERE ALL NEGATIVE GESTURES!!!!---America Love IT OR Leave IT!!!!

Answer 4

True, the US did nuke Japan, and I know you can't put a dollar-sign on people's lives, but when you take into consideration that all of the inhuman treatment done unto Americans by Japanese work camps was ignored, and then remember that it was the US that built Japan into the financial power it is today, I'd say that debt is pretty damn near paid off.

Answer 5

The Americans were a bit slow but they did intervene in both world wars. By intervening in the Second World War they stopped Hitler from taking Europe. I would call that a positive
contribution.

There are other examples but I think that's the big one. The
world would be a very different place today if the Nazis had won. America deserves a little more credit than you and your
friend are willing to give.

Answer 6

I think that compiling the American dictionary was a positively good idea. Proper spelling and grammar are necessary for communications. Use an American dictionary before you criticize America.
http://www.m-w.com/info/noah.htm

Answer 7

well Americans did help the Jews escape...but if it benefitted the US so yeah ur right there is notin positive with the US. Oh i got it we are the first to invent constitutionalism that has been working for over 200 years!

Answer 8

We helped Soviet Jews to emigrate from the USSR. We prevented Serbs from killing off all the Muslim Bosnians. We prevented the USSR from occupying most of the world.

Answer 9

We spread the idea of democracy and inspired other countries to win independence. For example, our revolution inspired the French Revolution.

Answer 10

I once saw on a marine bumper sticker:

" Besides ending racism, communism, terrorism and youthanization, war never solved anything.