World Society Development - Essay Example

The growth of suburbs led to numerous developments witnessed across the country. As a result of the suburbs, there emerged the need for automobiles. Thus, the government constructed new roads. The population of the United States increased significantly from 1946. The need to provide for the high population made the government come up with policies that enabled people to access basic needs such as healthcare, education, and provisions for social security. The various developments that happened in the United States after the war can be attributed to the baby boom (Rusty, 2010, p. 12).

Eisenhower's caution and inactivity can be regarded as wise prudence in the exercise of power. He reacted cautiously towards the beginning of the civil rights movement and sent troops who enforced court orders. His domestic policies used to be conservative, while the foreign policies appeared to be cautious. He is credited for avoiding military involvement in Vietnam and pressuring Britain, France and Israel to resolve the Suez Crisis. Eisenhower sought an end to the cold war by seeking negotiations and refusing to get involved in the Hungarian revolt. America become more prosperous during the era of Eisenhower, as science and technology advanced significantly. Women had the opportunity to join the workforce and get white-collar jobs (Thomas, 2005, p. 20).

The Soviet Union tested its first atomic bomb in 1949. This led to public anxiety as the Americans feared russia’s superiority. The US government started investigating who had revealed the US atomic secrets to the russians (Fried, 1991, p. 32). As a result, red hunting came to being; high-profile individuals such as Rosenberg faced persecution. Senator Joseph McCarthy recruited communist hunter Roy Cohn, a prosecutor. McCarthy visited his opponents and campaigned against them; he accused his critics of being traitors. He formed a red-hunting corporation known as AWARE Inc, which prosecuted communists. During his tenure, anti-communist agencies questioned teachers; those suspected of communism lost their jobs. Children took loyalty oaths and pledged not to overthrow the government. This way, he forced many Americans to have a sceptical look at secret subversives (Fried, 1991, p. 37).

The invasion of Vietnam by France shortly after the Second World War can be termed the major cause of the Vietnam War. The French occupied the country, leading to an imbalance in the Vietnamese cultural lifestyle. The communists took advantage of the disruption of a peaceful Vietnamese life. Communist countries such as Russia wanted to exercise their political ideologies on small and weak countries that had been destabilized by the French. After World War II, communist countries wanted to gain control over nations that seemed weak and politically unstable. As a result, the Vietnam War came into being (Thomas, 2005, p. 22).

The cold war and the differences between the capitalist and the communists also resulted in the cold war. America was opposed to the communist ideals of the Soviet Union. Russia and China had supplied arms to the government of North Vietnam. The arms included war materials such as machine guns, rifles, artillery, war boats, and ammunition. America wanted to slow the growth of communism in the Middle East. The United States joined the war following a call to protect South Vietnam from invasion by North Vietnam (Thomas, 2005, p. 28).

The 1990s and 1980s were different from the 1920s in social, economic and foreign policies. The social policies in the 1920s did not provide for some basic needs of the citizens. However, with modernization, America has advanced economically. Thus, the provision of social amenities such as healthcare, social security, and education became easier in the 1990s and 1980s (Thomas, 2005, p. 54). In the 1920s, America witnessed significant economic growth, owing to the strong economic policies during this time. America enacted foreign policies. For example, in the Middle East, America enacted policies regarding the drilling of oil. In the 1980s and 1909s, economic policies and foreign dealt with American control over other countries. The economic boom of each period represented a genuine revival of American innovation. In each of the periods, numerous discoveries were made. In the 1920s Americans developed technologically. There were further advancements especially in the computer during the 1980s and 1990s (Thomas, 2005, p. 57).

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks changed the perception that America had of their role in the world. Following the attacks, the government of the United States became more cautious to protect its national boundaries. The government intensified security, to prevent any possible terrorist attacks in the future (Thomas, 2005, p. 65). Decisions made after the attacks were mainly centred towards expanding the national interest of the United States. Since the attacks, the United States has been involved in the invasion of Arab countries believed to harbour terrorists. Their role in the world has been changed to that of a nation concerned with the ending of terrorism. In a move to propagate American ideals worldwide, the United States has been involved in criticizing countries that manufacture nuclear weapons. Terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda have been invaded by troops from America. As a result of the attacks, America has been determined to protect its national interests and remain the world’s superior nation (Thomas, 2005, p. 68).