At what point in history would you say America was at it's best?

[Constitutional Paulicy]

We often make comparisons to the past, in relationship to the present, as though the past was some kind of utopia. To be honest, I see atrocities in our history that are down right shameful. Of course there are periods where things were better than they are today, which brings me to my question. At what point in history would you say America was at it's best?

[John F Kennedy III]

Pre 1492. It's been all down hill from there.

[Ronin Truth]

1776-1789 (Until the Federalists sold out the American Revolution with their CONstitution coup of the AoC.)

[Carson]

Maybe we are at our best and worst right now? No where to go but up?

[69360]

Post WW2 till JFK.

[otherone]

[Anti Federalist]

1880-1920

An insane amount of innovation, wealth creation and still a relative amount of freedom.

Once the damage done by WWI and the Progressive Era took hold, it's been all downhill since then, even if it didn't appear so on the surface.

[XNavyNuke]

June 1775.



Print available here:
http://www.printsoldandrare.com/boston/

XNN

[invisible]

1880-1920

An insane amount of innovation, wealth creation and still a relative amount of freedom.

Once the damage done by WWI and the Progressive Era took hold, it's been all downhill since then, even if it didn't appear so on the surface.

I would peg it as the period between the Civil War and WWI. We were pretty much at peace. We had about as much freedom as we've ever had, and then started losing it right after this period. Immigrants were arriving in droves, becoming Americans, and contributing to a rapidly expanding economy. Ever since that period, we have never been as free or as prosperous.

[invisible]

Post WW2 till JFK.

A good argument can be made for this period as well, especially if you only consider the post-WWII period. The big exception during this time would be Korea.

[PaulConventionWV]

Pre 1492. It's been all down hill from there.

That's exactly what I was going to say.

[William Tell]

[Constitutional Paulicy]

1776-1789 (Until the Federalists sold out the American Revolution with Their CONstitution coup of the AoC.)

Since slavery was first allowed in 1789, I'd have to think freedom and civil rights were less likely to be trampled on prior to the end date you mentioned.

[Snew]

Probably ~1000-1492. Technology improving, great cities and villages being built/lived in (Acoma and Taos pueblos, for instance) and a much lovelier natural environment.

I'll take a handful of warring tribes over what we have today.

[Constitutional Paulicy]

Probably ~1000-1492. Technology improving, great cities and villages being built/lived in (Acoma and Taos pueblos, for instance) and a much lovelier natural environment.

I'll take a handful of warring tribes over what we have today.

Ya, when you consider the American Indians and African Americans, you're talking about the entire span of our nations history.

[Constitutional Paulicy]

Pre 1492. It's been all down hill from there.

I'm leaning towards this^^

[Ender]

1776-1789 (Until the Federalists sold out the American Revolution with their CONstitution coup of the AoC.)

If you're talk'n the official country and not the continent, then I agree with Ronin Truth.

[Ronin Truth]

Since slavery was first allowed in 1789, I'd have to think freedom and civil rights were less likely to be trampled on prior to the end date you mentioned.

We inherited slavery from the Brits.

[Ender]

We inherited slavery from the Brits.

Scalping, as well.

[thoughtomator]

Best for whom?

[AuH20]

We inherited slavery from the Brits.

The Portuguese were the first European power that took to slavery and they were originally looking for gold in West Africa. The existing network was so lucrative there that they decided to take their hand in it and the rest is history. Slavery traces back to the 7th century on the continent of Africa and was commonplace among the native peoples there.

[AuH20]

1880-1920

An insane amount of innovation, wealth creation and still a relative amount of freedom.

Once the damage done by WWI and the Progressive Era took hold, it's been all downhill since then, even if it didn't appear so on the surface.

The Golden Era in my opinion.

[jclay2]

1880-1920

An insane amount of innovation, wealth creation and still a relative amount of freedom.

Once the damage done by WWI and the Progressive Era took hold, it's been all downhill since then, even if it didn't appear so on the surface.

I would subtract 7 years. 1913 was a very bad year for liberty. Income tax and the federal reserve. Ouch!

[Anti Federalist]

I would subtract 7 years. 1913 was a very bad year for liberty. Income tax and the federal reserve. Ouch!

Very true, but, like I said, it took a while (almost 100 years) for the chickens to come home to roost.

[charrob]

A good argument can be made for this period as well, especially if you only consider the post-WWII period. The big exception during this time would be Korea.

Just curious as to why? My personal view is that every single war the U.S. has ever fought in has been unnecessary with the exception being the Revolution and the War of 1812... and possibly Korea.

Korea is that one exception that has always bothered me: the people in the south were promised by the U.S. and Soviets at the end of ww2 that their independence could be maintained. Although vehemently opposed to intervention, they trusted us and were promised. It's just the one exception I struggle to oppose, and am curious if there are reasons beyond my understanding that better solidifies a position of nonintervention in that particular case?

[invisible]

Just curious as to why? My personal view is that every single war the U.S. has ever fought in has been unnecessary with the exception being the Revolution and the War of 1812... and possibly Korea.

Korea is that one exception that has always bothered me: the people in the south were promised by the U.S. and Soviets at the end of ww2 that their independence could be maintained. Although vehemently opposed to intervention, they trusted us and were promised. It's just the one exception I struggle to oppose, and am curious if there are reasons beyond my understanding that better solidifies a position of nonintervention in that particular case?

Because other than Korea, we weren't at war during this period (yes, this also overlooks the whole Cuba thing). Aside from the first few years after WWII, this was probably the longest period of real prosperity we've had after WWII. Wealth was still being created, we were building and exporting things, American products were considered among the best in the world. Indeed, things were built to last during this time, and many of those items are still in use today, and are still highly valued for their quality construction. The interstate highway system was conceived and partially constructed, which was a major national infrastructure improvement. Ever since this time, we have not had as long of a period in which we have not been at war and had prosperity for Main St.

[charrob]

Because other than Korea, we weren't at war during this period (yes, this also overlooks the whole Cuba thing). Aside from the first few years after WWII, this was probably the longest period of real prosperity we've had after WWII. Wealth was still being created, we were building and exporting things, American products were considered among the best in the world. Indeed, things were built to last during this time, and many of those items are still in use today, and are still highly valued for their quality construction. The interstate highway system was conceived and partially constructed, which was a major national infrastructure improvement. Ever since this time, we have not had as long of a period in which we have not been at war and had prosperity for Main St.

I agree, that was a very prosperous time for our country. I wasn't questioning that at all. It was more a curiosity from other noninterventionists as to why they feel that the U.S. should not have intervened in the Korean War?

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

Don't you people know that NOW is the best time, and the future is only brighter? You can now shovel in all the food you want because government will help you diet. Gay people have rights because they can now get marriage permits. Technology means you can practically sleep while your car drives itself.

You also have more rights because we've built governments compassionate enough to give them to you.

[invisible]

I agree, that was a very prosperous time for our country. I wasn't questioning that at all. It was more a curiosity from other noninterventionists as to why they feel that the U.S. should not have intervened in the Korean War?

If we had any sort of treaty with Korea, I'm unaware of it. Treaty or no treaty, promise to Korea or no promise, this was an undeclared war. Or was it? Did we actually have a proper declaration of war here? I don't believe we did, but it's certainly possible I'm mistaken.

[AuH20]

I think a key point that decided this country's fate in terms of future global interventionism was the Marshall Plan which eventually led to the creation of NATO & EU.