Essay Example on the Great Documents That Shaped the US

The Truman Doctrine (1947)

The Truman Doctrine was developed from Presidents Harry S. Truman speech which embraced the containment of Soviet communism as the key anchor of American foreign policy. In Trumans argument, he vigorously defended the freedom of the people. Through the Truman Doctrine, a language which most Americans understood the postwar world was created. This speech promoted precedence for American assistance to the regimes of anticommunism. It also created a set of international military alliances against the Soviet Union. This statement explicitly addressed the call for help by the Greek Government from the United States. This doctrine suggested the significance of the American people and the Congress to helping the Greek Government if it is to survive as a free nation. The Truman Doctrine was important during this time as it assisted in pushing for investigations of the terror allegations in Greece, which were led by communists who directly defied the governments authority. This doctrine also addressed the appointment of an investigative commission of the United Nations Security Council which looked at the conditions in Greece. It also insisted on the urgency of the crisis and that immediate action would be necessary for saving the situation in Greece. However, this doctrine condemned the chaotic and extremists nature of the Greek government. It stated that the aid the United States gives to the Greek Government. This theory is significant in the sense that it stresses the importance of every nation choosing between the alternative ways of life of its people. Through this doctrine, the importance of maintaining good leadership is addressed and thus promoting international peace.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Will Herberg, The American Way of Life (1955)

Will Herberg was an influential writer in the 1950s who mainly pointed out the American religion. Herberg argued out that Americans real universal religion was not just a theological belief but to a commitment to what was termed as the American way of life. According to the two Will, the majority of Americans regard themselves as members of churches and a small portion attend services with perfect background on a regular basis. From Herberg, we can learn that a more realistic appraisal of the ideas, values, and behavior of the American people concludes that most of them have their common way of life. Through this American way of life, a symbol is achieved, through which Americans define themselves and also establish a sense of unity. The American way of life is mainly based on principles of democracy. The American way of life is characterized by individualism, dynamism, and pragmatism. Also, due to the idealistic nature of the American people, they tend to be morally inclined to see all issues as pure and straightforward. Will Herberg gives a clear picture of the typical ways of life of the American people.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

The UN General Assembly approved the Human Rights in 1948. This declaration pointed out a wide array of rights that were to be enjoyed by all humans globally. These rights included freedom of speech, protection against arbitrary government, right to adequate standards of living, and access to medical care and education. This declaration of human rights served an important role in ensuring all people lived equally without any form of oppression. Through this declaration, all the peoples cultures, traditions, views, societal, and political stands were respected and protected.