Exploring West (1840-1900) was a significant period in US history that contributed to the formation of American Imperialism. The idea of Manifest Destiny was so strong that it encouraged westward expansion throughout the rest of the nineteenth century (U.S. History). The choice of this policy seems quite ambiguous and thought provoking. On the one hand, it reflects truly remarkable features of the American mentality, such as the desire to spread principles of equality, democracy, and dignity. The belief that America was empowered to familiarize backward nations with Christianity’s values and introduce technical innovations looks inspiring. On the other hand, this aim could not be reached without losses because when these nations resisted, the divine mission was transformed into violent subjugation. Thus, the period of westward expansion showed that exploration of new lands is a complicated process that requires a responsible approach and wise strategies.
Another contradictory episode of the US history is the Roaring Twenties. This decade was one of the most prosperous, marked by achievements in cinema, music, sport, production of automobiles and airplanes (U.S. History). The power of radio provided the US citizen with equal access to information and smoothed regional differences, uniting the nation. However, it seems like this euphoria had a strange reverse side. America became less benevolent to the immigrants flooding the country, and this change of attitude reached its peak in 1921 with the trial of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. Although this decision may be explained by the fear of extraneous ideologies threatening the US power, it gathered a lot of criticism. Moreover, the equality of American citizens was troubled by the existence of the Ku Klux Klan. Its actions reinforced the discrimination against African Americans who strived to forget the horrors of slavery. Thus, the Roaring Twenties proved America to be a homeland of technological and cultural marvels but showed many unsolved problems.
Reference
U.S. History (n.d.) 2021, Web.