The Historical Figures and Significant Events - Essay Example

Part A Cuban Missile Crisis The Cuban Missile crisis is also referred to as the Cuban Missile Scare or the October Crisis. Its occurrence denoted a 13 day altercation between United States against Cuba and the Soviet Union combined in October 1962 (Hart, 76). Both Cuba and USSR had ganged up against America in retaliation to America’s failed bid to topple the Cuban regime and its action of placing nuclear missiles at Italy and Turkey with Moscow as the prime target. The significance of this is event is that it came close to escalating the Cold War into a full blown nuclear war. Moreover, it became a determinant factor in international arms agreement as well as the pioneer recorded scenario of mutual assured destruction (Hart, 89). Berlin Airlift This event occurred between 27th June 1948 and 12th May 1949. It was precipitated by the Berlin blockade in which canal access, road and railway for Western Allies were blocked by the Soviet Union ( Steiner, 35). This occurred after post World War 2 in Germany when there was multi-national occupation. The Soviet Union aspired to compel the western nations into permitting them to control the supply of aid, food, medicine and fuel into Berlin. In retaliation, the military western allies from US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Britain began carrying supplies via air to Berlin. The significance of this event is that it resulted to the formation of two separate states in Germany namely, East Germany and West Germany. Watergate The term ‘Watergate’ was coined in reference to a complicated mix of political scandals that occurred between 1972 and 1974. The word is particularly in reference to the Watergate Hotel located in Washington D.C. It was the result of a break-in that occurred at the Democratic National Committee on 17th June 1972 (Marcovici, 56). The Nixon administration tried to make an unsuccessful cover up over its involvement in the matter. The significance of the Watergate is that it led to the exposure of illegal and corrupt activities in Nixon’s administration such as harassment of political figures and activists movements by the IRS, FBI and CIA, and the bugging of political opponents. It ultimately led to the impeachment and resignation of the then US President, Richard Nixon. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution It is also known as the Southeast Asia resolution. It was enacted on 10th August, 1964 following a collaborative resolution passed by the US Congress on 7th August 1964. This was precipitated by the incident that occurred at the Gulf of Tonkin (Marcovici, 43). Its significance in history was that it provided authorization to President Lyndon B. Johnson to use ‘conventional’ military aggression in Southeast Asia. In essence, he had the power to undertake any actions pertinent to assisting protocol states or any member espoused in the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty. The Black Panther Party The Black Panther Party was in reference to the revolutionary socialist movement for Blacks between 1966 and 1982. The Party gained prominence through its association in U.S politics and Black Power movement between the 1960’s and 1970’s (Marcovici, 57). The significance of the party was that it based its ideological perspective on social revolution exempted of racial exclusivity. SNCC-Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee The SNCC was a leading civil rights movement in United States. It was founded on April 1960 and played the major role of organized sit-ins and freedom rights in opposition of racial segregation( Steiner, 85). Its notable activities in civil rights fieldwork included voter registration exercises in the South and more so in Mississippi and Alabama. Great Society It was a composition of local political programs initiated in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Its pertinent objective towards social reforms was the eradication of racial injustice and poverty. In this regard, it hailed the launch of new programs that were dedicated to medical care, transportation, education and urban problems. Its significance is that it led to the introduction of quite a number of liberals in Congress, thus the House of Representative in 1935 was hailed as the most liberal. Bay of Pigs Invasion The invasion was in reference to the unsuccessful invasion of Cuba led by the CIA military wing group. The invading force was planned from Guatemala but the Cuban armed forces managed to defeat it within 3 days under the command of its premier, Fidel Castro. The significance of this event was that it cemented Fidel Castro’s administration. Moreover, Castro renewed his stance to integrate socialism and build stronger relations with the Soviet Union. Part B 10 historical figures (U.S. history 1877 to the present) that you would invite to dinner Thomas Jefferson Jefferson supervised the expansion of America’s territory towards the West during his tenure as President between 1800 and 1808. He was the major author of America’s Declaration of Independence that reiterated the freedoms and rights of citizens from America. He is remembered for his action regarding freedom of worship when he passed Virginia’s statue of Religious Liberty. Abraham Lincoln He is notably renowned for his efforts to end slavery in United States. He successfully ended the resistance aimed at splitting the North and South during the American Civil war. He was the American president between 1861 and 1865. Margaret Fuller Margaret Fuller was a notable luminary in agitating for women rights. She also became the first female editor in the New York Tribune. Moreover, she made literally contribution by her famous books and articles for progressive social policies and women rights. Franklin D. Roosevelt Roosevelt was the American president between 1882 and 1945. He made efforts towards controlling the effects of the Great Depression by initiating the growth of the federal government. He led the United States in World War 2 against Japan and Germany. Martin Luther King He was a prominent personality in the civil rights movement of United States in the 1960’s. In this regard, he advocated for the end to segregation and racism. He was also in opposition to the Vietnam War and exposing the poverty issues. Lyndon Johnson Johnson was America’s president between 1963 and 1968. He was responsible for the escalation in the Vietnam War that was a huge financial burden to United States. He is famous for the passing and implementation of civil rights legislation that made segregation illegal. James Madison He is famous for coming up with the draft American constitution as well as the Bill of Rights. He is also notably recognized for his role in writing the Federalist Papers alongside John Jay and Hamilton. The papers were expressed strong support for America’s constitution. Harriet Beecher Stowe She was a renowned writer who assisted in the recognition of anti slavery movement. In her literature, she demonstrated life under slavery. Moreover, she assisted in the rousing of public opinion in the North in opposition to slavery. Woodrow Wilson He was a US president between that was initially renowned for his opposition to war. However, he later led US to World War 1 in 1917. In the aftermath of World War 1, he established the League of Nations. Furthermore, he developed the framework for resolving international conflict. Ronald Reagan He is renowned for opposing the post war consensus regarding the welfare state and Keynesian economics. He equally supervised the high tax cuts and increase in defense spending. Moreover, he oversaw the period that marked the cooling of cold war hostilities between America and the Soviet Union. 2. Problem statement: The current and major problem facing America today is the poor state of the economy. What could be the likely solutions? Thomas Jefferson likely solution: As a proponent of equal rights and freedoms of American citizens, Jefferson would most likely suggest that equality and rights to be stressed upon in the current American constitution. This would be in regard to access to jobs, decent wages for the poor and reduction in the cost of living. Abraham Lincoln Solution As a proponent for the abolishment of slavery and the opposition against the exploitation of blacks for free labor, Lincoln’s solution would most likely be the enacting of a policy against over-exploitation of the citizenry for cheap labor. Margaret Fuller solution Margret Fuller’s point of solution towards the poor status of the economy would be an agitation of creating more work opportunities for females. She would also seek to ensure that women received equal rights as same as men in the workplace in terms of remuneration and allowances. Franklin D. Roosevelt solution Roosevelt’s acclaim regarding his efforts towards resolving the Great Depression would most likely be centered towards an economic solution. In this regard, Roosevelt would seek to promote an expansion of the current stock exchange to spur investor confidence and growth. Martin Luther King solution Martin King was a notable luminary for his noble cause of highlighting the plight of the poor and the reality of poverty among the poor. In this regard, his solution would mostly to seek to empower the poor in society through access to free medical care, affordable education for the needy and decent housing. Harriet Beecher Stowe solution Harriet Beecher was notably renowned for her role in the anti-slavery movement. In this regard, her solution would mostly lie towards the limitation of the current form of discrimination based on race or skin color when seeking job opportunities. Lyndon Johnson Johnson having played his role in the Vietnam War and bearing in mind the heavy financial burden it had on American citizenry; his solution would most likely be towards limiting US involvement in foreign wars. In this regard, his point of resolution would be towards the withdrawal of troops from countries in which America in engaged in military intervention such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The net effect would be a decreased burden on the exchequer. James Madison Madison made notable contribution in drafting the American constitution and the Bill of rights. In this regard, his solution would most likely be aligned towards making amendments in the constitution aimed at spurring growth of the American economy. Woodrow Wilson Wilson Woodrow perspective lay with his past contributions towards his development of a framework in resolving international conflict. In this regard, his solution would lie towards promoting international relation and ties with current allies as well as present adversaries. In so doing, this would result to boost international trade and spur economic growth. Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan’s solution would mostly be aligned towards promoting the Keynesian economics in which he is fondly attributed with. In this regard, Reagan would propose a solution that would seek to draft and enact policies aimed at making tax reduction on the local citizenry. This would thus promote a better cost of living for the local citizenry. Reference Hart, Michael H. The 100: a ranking of the most influential persons in history. Rev. ed. Secausus, N.J.: Carol Pub. Group, 1992. Print. Marcovici, Michael. The 50 most influential people in history. 1. Aufl. ed. Norderstedt: Books on Demand, 2014. Print. Steiner, Rudolf. Occult history: historical personalities and events in the light of spiritual science. London: Rudolf Steiner Press, 1982. Print. Read More