Re-Writing History

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Re-Writing History

Contemporary American history professors spend a part of every course attempting to define the “American Century.” This is the story of the nation’s rise at the close of the 19^th century and its pinnacle following World War II. Although there are countless components that contribute to the rise of the United States, the victories in global conflicts and the development of a strong economy and military complex are of great significance.

America’s narrative points out that the country did not become a colonial empire but rather a democratic one. Our textbooks proclaim that America emerged as the policeman to the world while equally touting the American Dream. In many minds, the United States was the perfect country and its democratic model was the envy of countless nations. Such beliefs fueled revolutions across the globe in attempts to replicate the virtues of American freedom.

The Greatest Generation defines that narrative. Our victory in World War II gave rise to the GI Bill and countless examples of significant socio-economic mobility.  Baby Boomers, born into this narrative, easily accepted it despite setbacks in Korea and Vietnam.  After all, this is the generation that sent men to the moon, and developed the strongest economy in the world. It gave rise to the belief that America could reign forever!

In teaching American history and its narrative, educators often minimize the impact of other histories and narratives. (A case in point is the recent furor over the AP World History examination) Global History, for example, teaches us that every great civilization comes to an end.  European history teaches about nationalism, monarchies, dictators, and emerging systems of governance.  Perhaps more than ever, it is important for American educators, from K-20, to break away from the standard narratives and become more inclusive of other historical accounts.

The American story is changing! It is moving at an incredible pace, which is threatening our understanding of the American Century. At one extreme, the century is coming to an end and at the other the principles that guided it are leaning away from its democratic ideals.

Global history instructs us that rising world powers are not detected until well after the existing power crumbles. For example, few could have predicted the fall of Spain and Portugal and the rise of France, England, and Holland during the age of discovery, and fewer predicted that England would emerge as the major European power.  Similarly, who knew that the rise of a Napoleon was possible in the aftermath of the French Revolution?  Such is true of the rise of the United States during an era of British global dominance.

The Egyptian empire lasted for over 3,000 years.  Chinese, Mesopotamian, Greek, Roman, Mayan, Inca, Aztec, and British civilizations were dominant for centuries.  But they all fell. According to Edward Gibbon, it took nearly 400 years for the Roman Empire to fall.  But they all fell.

American educators need to prepare students that our empire will also fall. “Making America great, again,” sounds like the need to save a failing civilization. And, “Keeping America Great” has an equally ominous tone.  Yes, the great American narrative is showing its cracks!

One could argue, and many have argued that the American Century should not be considered in the same context with other great civilizations.  Yet, in reality America is not the first example of republican empire. The Romans held that distinction.

Where are the cracks?  They are not necessarily recent.  America was in trouble during the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s as various forces were pulling the nation apart. However, the rise of Ronald Reagan partially restored a sense of confidence in the presidency and the government. The subsequent Bush and Clinton presidencies played major roles in changing attitudes, and they continued to sustain the century.  During the twenty-first century, confidence wavered during the younger Bush’s presidency largely due to the extended pressures created by the wars on terror.

The financial crisis during the Bush years was addressed in the Obama administration, but more Americans were continuing to lose faith in elected officials and America’s standing in the world. (Remember Obama's "Hope" campaign signs?) The U.S. was still the greatest military power and its economy was strong, but the nation was deeply in debt.  Being the world’s policeman and being engaged in decades of military conflict was taking its toll.

In my estimation, Russian interference in the 2016 election is critical to the last phase of the American Century.  The interference, not the election, revealed that the American Century was effectively coming to an end. A foreign adversary used a great American product against itself.  American built "social media" had been weaponized and it infected the nation with massive fraudulent information. The Russians easily proved that the unity of Americans was a highly promoted myth.  It made mincemeat of our ideas of freedom. The Soviet Union won the Cold War, and Russia did not use a nuclear bomb!

Since 2016 Americans have been fighting themselves and continually losing. And this is much more than a series of cultural wars. Donald Trump has altered the form and function of the presidency.  Democracy has been pushed to the side as the Trump government works in lies, secrecy and other authoritarian ways.  There are also dictatorial aspects of his administration that were equally evident during the Obama presidency.  Using executive orders or making decisions based on national security can weaken an obstructionist Congress.

            There is little doubt that the next president will leverage the ways that President Trump has taken power from Congress, the Department of Justice, and the Judiciary. President Trump’s leadership will continue to mimic aspects of a dictatorship. By relying on Twitter, he has become his own media product, and similarly has turned Fox News into a state-supported communications tool. President Trump has ignored those who did not vote for him and directly appeals to his base through rallies instead of legislation.

One should admire the ways in which he has so easily and instantly transformed the presidency and the nation. However, this is America and this does not fit within our nation’s narrative.  And, it is the strongest sign that the legacy of the United States is going to change.

America is at a crossroads-it can continue to strive to become a democracy or it can become a more restrictive republic.  Yet, its period as the global leader is waning. Can we really win a war after 17 years of Middle Eastern conflicts that have yielded little? Neither Syria, backed by Russia, Iran, backed by Russia, nor North Korea, backed by Russia and China, fear America's might. They will negotiate solely when their handlers encourage them to do so.
The Trump presidency might reveal that the American experience is simply a "bridge" to the rise of a more lasting civilization.  Hence, America is more like Portugal as a brief leader between the global dominance of England and the next great empire. 

And in the process, our narrative will be forced to change.  When history is re-written, America’s story will not extend back to the revolution in 1775 but rather start with its role in World War II.  In this assessment, the American story is less than a century! We will be reduced to a footnote in history.

Personally, I see this as a tragedy. I always tell my students that they must learn all that they can to "save the American century."  Like most, I want us to pass on the greatness of the American experience to the next generation. But am I fooling myself? Is this truly possible?
Our nation is in a very unique position. It has the ability to right the ship for a few more years or maybe decades, but it is unclear if this “empire” can avoid an eminent fall.

We are living in an important time in American history. What are we as Americans doing to save our legacy? In a recent column, David Brooks asked: "What is the Democratic Story?" It was a call to the Democratic Party to make the right choices in preparing for 2020 and beyond. Like Brooks, I think that the Democrats might make the wrong choices. It is clear that the Republicans have already committed terrible mistakes. Historians, like Jon Meacham, are already writing about the need to discover our better angels! They are also writing about the "Trump impact," and many, including Meacham, are attempting to suggest that the impact of Trump is not the end of the “American Century.”

Of course, I disagree with those who see Trump as a savior.  And I don't think that Americans can easily overcome four or more years of  President Trump. "Trumpism," however is a part of a global instinct. We need to understand the global forces that encouraged America to lean in a direction counter to what the nation truly needs. President Trump is not a Winston Churchill nor a Franklin Roosevelt.  He is not innovative or enlightened enough to make the best choices to save the nation. Trump’s election is a reactionary response not a pro-active one.  His brand of leadership is more chaotic than forward thinking.

The fault, however, is not that of President Trump but of the larger nation.  Every American sees our president as an extremely flawed and greedy man.  His elevation is the result of decades of distrust and dissatisfaction with traditional politicians. President Trump is a figurehead, but he is not a leader. He is the result of a fractured political structure. He is a sign of the degree of our national erosion.
Leadership is built from the base. It is the sum of its citizens. Unfortunately, our base has corroded.  The issues that face America are very similar to those that led to the fall of Rome. Social inequity, immigration, trade, taxation, climate, an over-extended military, internal corruption, apathy, an under-educated citizenry, and over-confidence are the culprits in this story.  Contemporary America chooses to believe in a story that has outlived its usefulness, and it is not learning about the stories that are held dear by other parts of the world. The British, for example, bragged they had an empire where the sun never set. Its greatest achievement, it turns out, was not its economic prowess, but rather spreading the English language and culture across the globe! Americans, too, will want to believe that we spread democratic virtues across the globe, but in truth our achievement will be probably be something quite different. It might be that we made everyone speak English! However, the irony, is that Americans can only communicate in one language!

Those metaphors are symbolic of America’s declining global relationships.  Consider the fact that America’s two weapons, dollars and guns, lack the power they once held. In summits with the leaders of China, North Korea, and Russia, the United States had limited bargaining power. And in each case, the president was forced to negotiate in secret, but in each press conference he gave deference to what should have been a weaker opponent. In his dealings with the former communist powers, President Trump looked weak. In meetings with the G-7 and NATO, the president tried to re-alter the world order but was rebuked by his allies. In that case, President Trump seemed out of step. Even in global trade, as the U.S. seeks better deals, its allies and competitors have not conceded and the nation is now involved in a series of trade wars. And in this situation, the president seems ignorant and ill-prepared.

Again, the fault lies elsewhere. The genius of the American Century was an innovative spirit that confronted problems. America did not bully or threaten the world into submission. However, that creative problem solving spirit lies dormant and the rest of the world, while often frightened, has figured out that America's bark is louder than its bite.
Although our decline did not start with President Trump, a continuation of the Trump legacy will spell our demise. The nation claims to have the "best and the brightest". Where are the great statesmen to guide the president and propel the nation forward? Sadly they seem to be missing. Where are the great citizens to demand change and promote our historical virtues? They are either missing or silent! And no, I'm not ignoring the people who comprise the resistance, rather I am stressing it is everyone's responsibility.  A great civilization is only as strong and as durable as the sum of its parts.
Every great civilization is living on borrowed time.  America’s clock is ticking and the alarm is about to sound. Unfortunately, it appears that the American Century will not see another hundred years.