Mathematician
Reason, and reason again
This extends to Canadians as well. We can take a look at historical examples and reach conclusions that differ from the textbooks - hopefully (or maybe not, which isn't always so bad). What do you believe was your country's finest action/move? Its worst? You can make lists if narrowing these choices becomes too hard.
In fact I think I'll make a list. Feel free to act as someone's critic:
Worst actions:
- Continuation of slavery up until 1865.
- Treatment of foreigners, including Native Americans.
- Limiting voting rights to most people in the 19th century because they didn't own property.
- Not acting in favor of the "Radical Republican" agenda, and consequently stepping backwards on minority rights after Reconstruction.
- Using nuclear weapons against Japan.
- Forming NATO.
- Practically any military involvement after WWII, including - but not limited to - our banana republics in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Iraq, and support of anti-Cuban terrorist organizations.
- The Mexican-American War.
- Electing Dubya to a second term. Hey, I had to say it.
Finest:
- Lincoln's realization that he must end slavery for the union to coexist peacefully.
- Reconstruction. This was truly one of the most humanitarian approaches ever taken to a defeated region. I'm constantly amazed at how civil Lincoln wanted to manage post-war America.
- Washington stepping down to preserve the ideas of the Constitution, despite some of his fellows calling for a king.
- The Civil Rights movement.
- The push for female suffrage.
- The labor movement. Ours was particularly bloody, but thousands of American workers gave up their lives to fight for the living conditions we take for granted.
- Coming up with the Constitution.
- Our post-WWII program for recovery.
In fact I think I'll make a list. Feel free to act as someone's critic:
Worst actions:
- Continuation of slavery up until 1865.
- Treatment of foreigners, including Native Americans.
- Limiting voting rights to most people in the 19th century because they didn't own property.
- Not acting in favor of the "Radical Republican" agenda, and consequently stepping backwards on minority rights after Reconstruction.
- Using nuclear weapons against Japan.
- Forming NATO.
- Practically any military involvement after WWII, including - but not limited to - our banana republics in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Iraq, and support of anti-Cuban terrorist organizations.
- The Mexican-American War.
- Electing Dubya to a second term. Hey, I had to say it.
Finest:
- Lincoln's realization that he must end slavery for the union to coexist peacefully.
- Reconstruction. This was truly one of the most humanitarian approaches ever taken to a defeated region. I'm constantly amazed at how civil Lincoln wanted to manage post-war America.
- Washington stepping down to preserve the ideas of the Constitution, despite some of his fellows calling for a king.
- The Civil Rights movement.
- The push for female suffrage.
- The labor movement. Ours was particularly bloody, but thousands of American workers gave up their lives to fight for the living conditions we take for granted.
- Coming up with the Constitution.
- Our post-WWII program for recovery.
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