After reading "A People's War?", a chapter from A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn, the perspective provided by the author is quite clear: America's righteous view of itself does not match the reality of its actions in global affairs. While the US claims to be the “defender of free peoples”, and justifies its interventions on foreign global affairs so, it is arguably not the case. The text supports its argument by revealing the US' true intentions, by bringing up racism in the country, the "unnecessary" bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Cold War as an excuse for manipulating control over the people and nation.The so-called superpower had intervened in several regions of the world, including Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is arguable that the US did so on basis of self-interest, where it desires for expansion of foreign markets and domination over world affairs. In this blog post, we’ll evaluate whether the US’ actions were justified, and if they match the image they claim to portray.
Before the WWII, the US was still fulfilling their imperialistic ventures by establishing control in countries and colonies. The US had imposed control in several countries such as Cuba, where they had aided the nation in winning independence against Spain—only to place a military base in a treaty agreement. Another example would be Panama’s independence, where the US provided support for the nation’s independence against Colombia purely for the purpose of building the Panama Canal later on. The US later on intervened in the Middle East due to the abundance of oil, which was highly beneficial to the US if they were able to execute control over the region. While the US claims to be aiding these nations in their independence and protecting the free people, it seems that the main motive behind its assistance is to fulfill their own interests—whether economically or socially.
Ironically, during Roosevelt’s presidency, the country claimed that it “respected the right of all peoples to choose the the form of government under which they will live”. The US’ goal to contain communism clashed with this statement; and so it is arguable that the US did not match its view of itself as a “defender of free peoples”, as most of their actions were mostly motivated by interests in fulfilling their goals.
Before the WWII, the US was still fulfilling their imperialistic ventures by establishing control in countries and colonies. The US had imposed control in several countries such as Cuba, where they had aided the nation in winning independence against Spain—only to place a military base in a treaty agreement. Another example would be Panama’s independence, where the US provided support for the nation’s independence against Colombia purely for the purpose of building the Panama Canal later on. The US later on intervened in the Middle East due to the abundance of oil, which was highly beneficial to the US if they were able to execute control over the region. While the US claims to be aiding these nations in their independence and protecting the free people, it seems that the main motive behind its assistance is to fulfill their own interests—whether economically or socially.
Ironically, during Roosevelt’s presidency, the country claimed that it “respected the right of all peoples to choose the the form of government under which they will live”. The US’ goal to contain communism clashed with this statement; and so it is arguable that the US did not match its view of itself as a “defender of free peoples”, as most of their actions were mostly motivated by interests in fulfilling their goals.
Before the WWII, the US was still fulfilling their imperialistic ventures by establishing control in countries and colonies. The US had imposed control in several countries such as Cuba, where they had aided the nation in winning independence against Spain—only to place a military base in a treaty agreement. Another example would be Panama’s independence, where the US provided support for the nation’s independence against Colombia purely for the purpose of building the Panama Canal later on. The US later on intervened in the Middle East due to the abundance of oil, which was highly beneficial to the US if they were able to execute control over the region. While the US claims to be aiding these nations in their independence and protecting the free people, it seems that the main motive behind its assistance is to fulfill their own interests—whether economically or socially.
Ironically, during Roosevelt’s presidency, the country claimed that it “respected the right of all peoples to choose the the form of government under which they will live”. The US’ goal to contain communism clashed with this statement; and so it is arguable that the US did not match its view of itself as a “defender of free peoples”, as most of their actions were mostly motivated by interests in fulfilling their goals.
Before the WWII, the US was still fulfilling their imperialistic ventures by establishing control in countries and colonies. The US had imposed control in several countries such as Cuba, where they had aided the nation in winning independence against Spain—only to place a military base in a treaty agreement. Another example would be Panama’s independence, where the US provided support for the nation’s independence against Colombia purely for the purpose of building the Panama Canal later on. The US later on intervened in the Middle East due to the abundance of oil, which was highly beneficial to the US if they were able to execute control over the region. While the US claims to be aiding these nations in their independence and protecting the free people, it seems that the main motive behind its assistance is to fulfill their own interests—whether economically or socially.
Ironically, during Roosevelt’s presidency, the country claimed that it “respected the right of all peoples to choose the the form of government under which they will live”. The US’ goal to contain communism clashed with this statement; and so it is arguable that the US did not match its view of itself as a “defender of free peoples”, as most of their actions were mostly motivated by interests in fulfilling their goals.