The problem with people asking this question is...being 'great' doesn't mean being 'perfect'.
America has always, and WILL always be flawed. But that doesn't mean it hasn't been great, or been on a quest for greatness, many times.
America has always, and WILL always be flawed. But that doesn't mean it hasn't been great, or been on a quest for greatness, many times.
America at the Founding was great.
The Declaration, and the Constitution, were amazing documents for their time. They weren't perfect (the stain of slavery remained, obviously). but the cornerstone for representative democracy was unique....and definitely great.
The Declaration, and the Constitution, were amazing documents for their time. They weren't perfect (the stain of slavery remained, obviously). but the cornerstone for representative democracy was unique....and definitely great.
America at the time of the Civil War was great. When had any nation, in the history of man, fought a war with itself...to free slaves from slavery?
The incredible sacrifices of that time were definitely great.
The incredible sacrifices of that time were definitely great.
Again, that half the country was fighting to maintain slavery doesn't stop the greatness of those that did sacrifice to end the horror of it.
And that Lincoln basically gave his life for the cause should not be ignored.
And that Lincoln basically gave his life for the cause should not be ignored.
WWII was another moment of American Greatness.
America could have remained isolationist. Even after Pearl Harbor and Germany's declaration of war, they could have chosen to go to war only with Japan.
America could have remained isolationist. Even after Pearl Harbor and Germany's declaration of war, they could have chosen to go to war only with Japan.
The sacrifices made to rid the world of Nazism and the Japanese threat were a moment of greatness. The US could have largely stayed out of the war and survived a Nazi victory...but they thought the fight for freedom was more important.
Even our victory in the Cold War was a point of American greatness. We made a huge number of mistakes (Korea, Vietnam)...but the scourge of communism was one worth standing up against.
It brought about a world that is the most peaceful and prosperous in human history.
It brought about a world that is the most peaceful and prosperous in human history.
Let us note that the post-WWII era is included in this. When in course of human events has a victor, such as America, spent billions...to rebuild the nations that attacked it in the first place?
The Marshall plan, and the rebuilding of Japan, were quite unique and amazing, when one comes to think of it.
Historically, great powers would have razed and destroyed the conquered. We did neither. We spent money, rebuilt them, and let them govern themselves.
Historically, great powers would have razed and destroyed the conquered. We did neither. We spent money, rebuilt them, and let them govern themselves.
Even today; the US is the lone major power that wants to guarantee full access to the seaways; that has (until recently) argued for the free trade and the spread of democracy.
Sure, we make tons of mistakes. And I guarantee...we will make more.
But that doesn't mean we aren't great. And most of the world? They view us as great too, FWIW.
But that doesn't mean we aren't great. And most of the world? They view us as great too, FWIW.
