Question

In what ways has the United States Federal Government promoted and prevented the democratic promises of “liberty” and “equality” for Americans and the wider world since 1865?

• At least three instances in which the United States Federal government took actions that significantly increased the degree of liberty and/or equality in American life and in the wider world.

• At least three instances in which the Federal government acted against the realization of greater liberty and equality, either at home or abroad, between 1865 and 1991.

Answer 1

The founding father's of United States had declared Liberty and EQUALITY, as being essential features on which American nation would be based on.

The civil war and assimilation of afro Americans into mainstream American society further proved this. Since then America has been a proponent of these ideals within and outside the country.

It tries to spread these ideals by adopting policies which extend these ideals. Through its foreign policy, using its economic clout, or through political discourses us government have tried to promote liberty and equality in the world. Be it the TRUMAN DOCTRINE, MARSHALL PLAN,global war against terrorism, steps to fight climate change,liberal aid to poor sub sahara and middle east, all these are steps to promote liberty in world.

Three instances which promoted liberty and equality

• Liberal visa policies and era of immigrants between 1880 and 1920 when America accepted around 20 million immigrants.
• The 19th amendment which gave women right to vote and was a significant step towards gender equality and a support to women emanicioation
• US entry into world war second is yet another example to prove it emphasis on liberty and equality and ending tyranny
• The civil rights act of 1964 which ended segregation of African American. It strengthened equality in true sense.

Instances when us crushed these principles

• The US participation inVietnam war was one such step which was crushing the idea of liberty as dremt by Vietnamese people.
• Turning of us as a surveillance state is against the liberty enjoyed and granted to the Citizens.
• US support to Israel to crush the Palestinian demand of sovereignty goes against these principles.
• US dropping of atomic bombs on Japan to win the war was yet another attempt and it started the nuclear race which has created fear in world thus cornering liberty.