I. Intro/Thesis
II. Spanish American War
III. WWI
IV. Great Depression
V. WWII
VI. Conclusion
The United States of America became the example of democracy for the rest of the world. Founded on the principles of freedom and equality, this country had a long process during which democratic principles have been established. Spanish American War, the Great Depression, War World I, and War World II proved the principles of democracy, which became the basic principles of the US Constitution.
The conflict between Spain and the United States of America, which took place in 1898, and also known as Spanish-American War, is often regarded as a number of steps, which manifested America’s desire to establish the principles of democracy in the world. The conflict was initiated by the United States, which demanded Spain to resolve the conflict with Cuba. Spain did not meet the demands of the United States. In addition, the tension became stronger after the explosion of American ship called “Maine”. Yellow Press, which exaggerated the atrocities of Spanish army, also became one of the reasons of war. The war ended quickly after several brilliant victories of the U.S. army in Cuba and the Philippines. The war lasted for only 113 days and ended in the Treaty of Paris, which passed several Spanish colonies, such as the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico to the USA. After the end of War the United States liberated Cuba from the domination of Spain and helped to establish independence in this country. During the War the United States of America proved its strong attachment to the principles of democracy all over the world.
The United States took part in the WWI in order to save the democracy. As Wilson, the president of the United States commented on America’s involvement in the war, “God helping her can do no other.” (Tuchman, 69) All citizens of the United States were indignant with violations, committed by German army in many countries of the world. Ship crisis and economic reasons also became important factors, which made the United States to pass to active actions. Finally the United States of America came to realization that war actions were necessary in order to maintain the peace in the world and save democratic ideals. As Wilson commented in his speech on April 2, 1917, “A steadfast peace can never be maintained except by a partnership of democratic nations”. (Tuchman, 69) The participation in the WWI had rather a preventive character as it was an attempt to stop Nazi invasion, which threatened the world democracy. Despite this attempt was not successful and one more world war was necessary in order to stop Germany, it still had great meaning for the United States as it manifested active position of the country on the world scene and its strong attachment to the ideals of democracy.
The Great Depression became a serious test for the American democratic system. The Great Depression became the biggest economic fall during the history of the United States, which stared after the Stock Market Crash in 1929. Trade and personal income experienced a period of great decline during this time. Depression quickly became widespread to the most countries of the world. Economic instability finally led to the development of anti-democratic regimes in many countries, such as Germany, Italy and the USSR. The government of the United States managed to overcome the Great Depression without turning to dictatorship. Starting from the 1933 Roosevelt insisted on the necessity of a restructuring of the economy in order to avoid another depression. New Deal programs, aiming to stimulate demand and create work places have been created. In contrast to many counties, which couldn’t find democratic way to solve economical problems, the United States of America escaped this danger.
After the experience of the World War I the United States of America took preventive measures when the World War II broke out. Hostility of Japan and threat of Nazi regimes to democracy made the United States of America to take active part in this war. Trying to keep neutral position the USA did not start war actions until the attack to Pearl Harbor. The United States of America took part in the WWII helped to stop Nazism and helped to save democracy in the world.
The United States of America is a comparatively young country but it became an example of freedom and democracy for many countries of the world. This can be explained by many facts. First of all people came to these lands looking for freedom and that is the reason it became the most precious treasure for them. So much effort was put in order to save this treasure that even the most serious tests did not break these ideals.
References
Barbara W. Tuchman How We Entered World War I, 1967.
Bernanke, Ben S. “The Macroeconomics of the Great Depression: A Comparative Approach” Journal of Money, Credit & Banking, Vol. 27, 1995
Friedman, Milton and Anna Jacobson Schwartz. A Monetary History of the United States, 1867-1960, 1963.
