The American Experience Discussion Questions - Essay Example

The American Experience - Discussion Questions The American Experience Discussion Questions Goes Here al Affiliation GoesHere1. How well has America done as the "Guardian of the Free World"The United States took on the role of international police with the self declaration at the end of World War II that the U.S. pledged to use power to enforce international law. In the first years after the war the United States was viewed as savior and protector with the implementation of the Marshall plan that helped rebuild Europe and restore power to Europe.

In the history of the world conquerors have reaped the bounties of the defeated and claimed power over the defeated. But, the United States (with the Marshall Plan) did otherwise. The legitimacy of the role the United States took on is based on opinion. This legitimacy has been questioned over the years by various leaders such as Nelson Mandela who was quoted as saying "if there is a country that has committed unspeakable atrocities in the world, it is the United States of America (Nagasaki and Hiroshima)"(Daily News, NY).

The view of the role the U.S. has taken on has changed from positive to negative. The United States recently has taken on the role of hated and despised despite the fact that the U.S. has contributed billions in aid to other countries and sent in troops to support emerging democracies (Afghanistan and Iraq).America has tried. America does not want to conquer and rule. "The only rule it wants is the rule of law" (Daily News, 2003).2. What were some of the scientific advances made during World War II, and how did they impact the outcome of the war There were many scientific advances made during World War II that affected the outcome of the war.

By far medical care for wounded soldiers made tremendous leaps during the war. Medical care was designed to "conserve the strength and efficiency of the fighting forces so as to keep as many men at as many guns for as many days possible."(World War II Encyclopedia). Scientists created a better blood substitute called serum albumin and eventually science brought whole blood to the field or field hospitals to be given to wounded servicemen. With this advance more servicemen made it from the battlefield to the field hospitals and hospital ships for further life-saving care.

Other advances such as treatments and preventives (DDT and Quinine) for malaria were developed. Many servicemen could be treated and returned to the fight rather than die or be sent home wounded or sick. Automation took on new meaning during World War II. Factories were transformed into war machines that turned out tanks, trucks, jeeps, etc. Advances in automation were helped by the adoption of "scientific management" that made machines and people more productive. Although developed prior to World War I scientific management was not fully embraced until World War II.

The list of advances could go on and on but the most important advancements took place in physics and quantum mechanics. It was this science that ultimately ended the war with the atomic bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima.ReferencesAmerican Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.N.A.,N. (n.d.). It's not easy being red, white & blue. Daily News (New York, NY), Retrieved 02/03/2007 from the Newspaper Source database.

Oxford University Press, 2000. Automation. Oxford Reference Online. Boston Public Library Retrieved 02/03/2007 www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.htmlsubview=main&entry=t48.e295World War II Encyclopedia Article. Medicine, World War II. Retrieved 02/03/2007 http://www.bookrags.com/printfriendly/p=gale&u=medicine-world-war-ii-aaw-03