A survey of American History since 1940 reveals a narrative
clouded with myth and misinformation. The past 70 years of American foreign and
domestic policy has brought both triumph and tribulation to a country which
found itself involved in global affairs as a matter of principle. The
maturation of the American Empire, under the guise of the global hegemon, has
provided us with lessons which can help shape our fundamental understanding of past,
current and future events. In a time of increasing global political instability, particularly in
the middle east, it is paramount that some of these lessons are revisited. The
first lesson which must be understood is how the atomic bomb has shaped
American politics, particularly the increasing militarization of her culture
and the development of an overpowering military-industrial complex. The second
lesson, and perhaps the most important, is that history has known a marginalization
of progressive groups, alternatives which could have changed the way history
has played out. These lessons attempt to dispel some of the myths of American Empire
and lend to the contextualization of the current and future direction of the
country.
The atomic bomb helped shape the American political landscape, particularly the Cold War
atmosphere which existed after the conclusion of World War II. The cultural ethos that America was the unstoppable, invincible city on the hill became ingrained in the American persona This militaristic and colonial like atmosphere was the driving
force behind most decisions made through the 1980's. The ripples created by
Cold War actions and intervention are still being felt today.
Harry Truman set the precedent at the Potsdam conference when he transformed
the bomb from an unnecessary tool of destruction into an undeniable bargaining
chip. A Soviet Marshal attending the conference, Georgii Konstantinovich
Zhukov, reflected upon observing Stalin receiving the news of the U.S. atomic
bomb; "It was clear already then that the US Government intended to use
the atomic weapon for the purpose of achieving its Imperialist goals from a
position of strength in the cold war"(1). This
Link offers a rare look at perhaps the exact moment that the United States opened an
ominous chapter that was written in the glow of a nuclear explosion, included
are firsthand accounts of the major players at the Potsdam conference,
including Secretary of State James Byrnes, Winston Churchill and President
Truman himself.
The significance of the bomb rose in correlation with the elevation of the Truman Doctrine which officially defined American Foreign policy as a strategy of containing the Soviets and their influence in any part of the world. Truman would soon underline this position when he explicitly threatened the Soviets to pull out of Iran in the wake of WWII under the threat of using the bomb, "It was revealed in a times magazine article by Senator Henry 'Scoop' Jackson that Truman had told the Soviet Ambassador Andrei Gromyko that is the Soviet troops '...weren't out in forty-eight hours, We're going to drop it on you"(2). The school of thought, fathered by the atomic bomb, gave birth to the Truman Doctrine and eventually produced the
Domino Theory. Understanding the significance of the development of Domino Theory is important for two reasons. First, it is essential to realize that it is this theory that would motivate decision makers to employ the use of the CIA and other military branches in third world countries like Guatemala, Cuba, Brazil and Chile that dared sway to the left and threaten markets which the U.S. had claimed as part of their free system. Second, Domino Theory illustrates the framework that supported monetary interest and influence that exists within our government. At the time, Vice President Richard Nixon, would cite the rubber and tin industries when he discussed Domino Theory in relation to U.S. involvement in Vietnam, "If Indochina falls, Thailand is put in an almost impossible position. The same is true of Malaya with its rubber and tin. The same is true of Indonesia. If this whole part of Southeast Asia goes under Communist domination or Communist influence, Japan, who trades and must trade with this area in order to exist, must inevitably be oriented towards the Communist regime"(3). The notion that the atomic bomb simply was a tool used to end the war against Japan need be banished in favor a more accurate description. A description which includes the policies developed by the increase in power which the bomb granted to both the United States and Soviet Union. That description much also contain a discussion of the industries and economic influences which polarized policy and policy makers that guided Cold War agendas. Finally it must also include an illustration of the brinkmanship that ensued, the embodiment being the Cuban Missile Crisis which had the potential to me the most devastating event in history. Which leads to perhaps the more important lesson of the two, one which many have taken great lengths to suppressing.
The marginalization of progressive groups is a narrative which has developed parallel to, yet in the shadow of, other themes in the course of American history since 1940. Groups which could have changed the landscape of history, people that may have been able to completely avoid scenarios that could have resulted in the annihilation of the human race. Progressive leader and New Deal visionary Henry Wallace is one of these men whom has been lost to the history books. Wallace, the 33rd Vice President was desired by FDR because he wanted "...a champion of freedom and democracy as his running mate"(4), these same traits would later be his downfall. FDR's final campaign for the White House would be the setting for one of the most atrocious American political maneuvers to take ever place, one in which a traditional student of history would never know. Party bosses and conservative members of the Democratic party would block the nomination of Wallace during ceremonies of the 1944 Democratic National Convention and overnight managed to sway a majority vote in favor of Harry Truman. The forces behind the scenes knew much more was at stake during FDR's fourth term, and would not allow Wallace, the champion of "The Century of The Common Man" to assume the presidency when Roosevelt's health would inevitably fail, which happened to be only 80 some days after the convention.
It is not with certainty we can say what may have happened if Wallace become President instead of the easily swayed Truman, though we can say with great probability that the Atomic Bomb may have never been used and perhaps the Cold War may have been avoided.Though this may have been the most egregious example of marginalization, it has not been the only instance, but it is that of a continuing trend. The 1960's saw the tragedy of JFK after he declared war on the CIA, followed closely by the assassination of his brother Robert whom sought to revive social concern and paid particularly close attention to minority voters. Investigations of both murders never found true and fulfilling closure.
Vietnam, and American Idealism killed
LBJ's Great Society, the sad story can be told best be his own words:
"I do not want to be the President who built empires, or sought grandeur, or extended dominion. I want to be the President who educated young children... who helped to feed the hungry... who helped the poor to find their own way and who protected the right of every citizen to vote in every election." - LBJ (5)
"Losing the Great Society was a terrible thought, but no so terrible as the thought of being responsible for America's losing a war to the Communist. Nothing could possibly be worse than that." - LBJ (6)
Harvey Milk met the same fate as the Kennedy brothers after blazing the trail for the Gay Rights movement. Jimmy Carter was ousted by the rise of the new "
Republican Right" after he told America about the problems they didn't want to hear about, he was replaced him with Ronald Reagan who would say no to eliminating Nuclear Arms in favor of further military spending. Mikhail Gorbachev would fall victim to
Reagan's legacy, even though Gorbachev was the one to propose disarmament as he wanted to turn his attention to social problems that were causing his union to crumble. Most recently, Vice President Al Gore fell victim to President George Bush in an election decided by a recount and a supreme court decision. Philanthropy and environmental activism was replaced by
renewed imperialism in the Middle East.
Though, the narrative of marginalization has been a sad story thus far, it is important lesson to be taught. This lesson illuminates the fact that progressive alternatives do exist, and that change is possible. No longer can the myth of American Empire cover the true story of our past. The illusion must be dispelled in order to motivate the 'common man'. New generations of American's have become politically apathetic and these lessons are ones that need to be thought if we want to see the same type of change witnessed during the Civil Rights, Gay Rights and Women's Movements. Politics must be humanized again, something that can be done with an examination of those whom have represented change for the greater good.
These two lessons are important because the messages they deliver set up an environment which is conducive to critical thinking. An atmosphere which allows to be critical of the capitalism which has driven our policy for decades. A place where true examinations of history can triumphs over established world view and allow for action.
References
1. Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick, The Untold History
of The United States (New York: Gallery Books, 2012), 141
2. Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick, The Untold History
of The United States (New York: Gallery Books, 2012), 196
3. Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick, The Untold History
of The United States (New York: Gallery Books, 2012), 266
4. Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick, The Untold History
of The United States (New York: Gallery Books, 2012), 92
5. Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick, The Untold History
of The United States (New York: Gallery Books, 2012), 326
6. Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick, The Untold History
of The United States (New York: Gallery Books, 2012), 354
