United States Peak

Kingleonel · Jan 27, 2012

What time frame in United States History would you say that the country was economically, socially, and politically at its peak?

Zeno · Jan 27, 2012

There's two peaks, so far, i'd say.
1945-1950, after the WWII the competitive economies were all in shambles and the US alone accounted for roughly 45% of global economic manufacturing. Until 1948 they alone had nuclear weapons.

1991-2001, after the Cold War and until the disastrous attacks of Al-Qaeda, or rather the disastrous consequences of the attacks. The US was the sole superpower and had immense "soft" power, or cultural power. The way the 9/11 crisis was handled, with the massive budget deficits and the unilateral approach towards international questions made the US lose a lot of "goodwill" and economic power.

Tercio · Jan 27, 2012

I agree Zeno. But again I think we should wait to see what happens in 50 years. With the demographic problems of China, India, Japan, Germany (Europe as a whole really), I think we could see a serious resurgence of US power. I predict Brazil to be the follow up super power.

tjadams · Jan 27, 2012

1945-65

Kingleonel · Jan 27, 2012

Zeno said:
There's two peaks, so far, i'd say.
1945-1950, after the WWII the competitive economies were all in shambles and the US alone accounted for roughly 45% of global economic manufacturing. Until 1948 they alone had nuclear weapons.

I would extend this time frame to late 50's because of the interstate highway project which lead to a housing boom.

1991-2001, after the Cold War and until the disastrous attacks of Al-Qaeda, or rather the disastrous consequences of the attacks. The US was the sole superpower and had immense "soft" power, or cultural power. The way the 9/11 crisis was handled, with the massive budget deficits and the unilateral approach towards international questions made the US lose a lot of "goodwill" and economic power.

I highly agree with the 91-01 as one of the great time period of progress of the nation. Technology was taking off with cell phones and computers.

bartieboy · Jan 27, 2012

Wouldn't that be directly after the fall of the ussr?
Or 1945

HammockHank · Jan 27, 2012

I agree with Zeno and add 1982 - 89. That was the period that saw the demise of eastern European communism and the breakup of the USSR.

jegates · Jan 27, 2012

I feel we are still in our prime and have not yet reached our peak. Better days are ahead

HammockHank · Jan 27, 2012

jegates said:
I feel we are still in our prime and have not yet reached our peak. Better days are ahead

I like the positive Outlook. Run with that in mind and you get my vote

jegates · Jan 27, 2012

HammockHank said:
I like the positive Outlook. Run with that in mind and you get my vote

Will do Hammock, if you will be my Veep...

HammockHank · Jan 27, 2012

jegates said:
Will do Hammock, if you will be my Veep...

I will be my honor.

SomeGuy · Jan 27, 2012

I'll say that there were 2 times when the United States was at the height of its power: at the end of World War II when pretty much every other relevant country at the time, except of course for the Soviet Union, was in rebuilding and decolonization mode; this first period ended when the Vietnam conflict was at its height. The second was with the collapse of the Soviet Union when there was no opposing superpower and the US-led coalition forces stomped on Saddam back in 91. This ended with the rapid increase of globalization in the mid-90s and the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

Now it's just downhill from here on out.

Eumenes · Jan 27, 2012

1991-Present day.

The fall of the Soviet Union gave the United States unprecedented power over the globe on a level never before seen. Today that is slowly and inevitably beginning to slip as developing nations spread their wings and old powers aspire to their former positions. Soon enough the United States might be a first among equals, and eventually find itself with peers for the first time in decades.

This all in all might not be such a bad thing for the USA.

I find Brazil's growing preeminence fascinating. It has been over a century and a half since the United States has had any nation remotely resembling a peer in the Western Hemisphere, with the arguable exception of Canada. Brazil seems poised to become one in the coming decades.

Patton · Jan 27, 2012

I consider the period between 1920 to 1960 our 'golden age'. But as far as Political and economic power the years 1991 to 2001 we were untouchable, Pax Americana, that brief window between Cold War paranoia and the age of terrorism, corporate hegemony and draconian laws which went against everything we were supposed to stand for as a people. Obviously, these are the years we became lazy, fat and lost all sense of direction. Success does this to a people.

Major Wilson · Jan 28, 2012

Patton said:
I consider the period between 1920 to 1960 our 'golden age'. But as far as Political and economic power the years 1991 to 2001 we were untouchable, Pax Americana, that brief window between Cold War paranoia and the age of terrorism, corporate hegemony and draconian laws which went against everything we were supposed to stand for as a people. Obviously, these are the years we became lazy, fat and lost all sense of direction. Success does this to a people.

I agree that the pre-Vietnam era was a significant age, but the US had race-issues that were unsolved.

IMO the US peaked in 91-01. Even over here, Washington DC was considered the new Forum Romanum. And the US' influence was even greater because it was considered a just and fair Rome - only striking out when justified. During the hours and days after 9/11 the world held it's breath in fear of how 'Rome' would react to such an attack. The biggest casualty of the response and what was allowed in the following years, might have been the US itself.

The US still has a bright future. With a population in growth, being a major food exporter, having an open economy and not being dependant on importing oil and gas, will ensure a recovery and continued dominating position.

Baltis · Jan 28, 2012

Major Wilson said:
I agree that the pre-Vietnam era was a significant age, but the US had race-issues that were unsolved.

The US still has a bright future. With a population in growth, being a major food exporter, having an open economy and not being dependant on importing oil and gas, will ensure a recovery and continued dominating position.

Not only race issues but also the age of McCarthyism. I am with you there is little relation between the 50s and 60s and the idea of a social peak.

I think we get better every day. Well, sometimes better than another but the general trend, always progress.

Patton · Jan 28, 2012

Major Wilson said:
I agree that the pre-Vietnam era was a significant age, but the US had race-issues that were unsolved.

IMO the US peaked in 91-01. Even over here, Washington DC was considered the new Forum Romanum. And the US' influence was even greater because it was considered a just and fair Rome - only striking out when justified. During the hours and days after 9/11 the world held it's breath in fear of how 'Rome' would react to such an attack. The biggest casualty of the response and what was allowed in the following years, might have been the US itself.

The US still has a bright future. With a population in growth, being a major food exporter, having an open economy and not being dependant on importing oil and gas, will ensure a recovery and continued dominating position.

Yeah, obviously America had it's share of social problems during the said time frame, some of which still persist. From a cultural point of view I do feel this was our peak. The so-called 'American Spirit', the ingenuity and creativity, which always made us unique, has dimmed in recent years.

bartieboy · Jan 28, 2012

jegates said:
I feel we are still in our prime and have not yet reached our peak. Better days are ahead

You will have to share that power with China, India, the European union, Brazil etc etc. This was not the case in 1945

CT9 · Jan 28, 2012

Eumenes said:
1991-Present day.

The fall of the Soviet Union gave the United States unprecedented power over the globe on a level never before seen. Today that is slowly and inevitably beginning to slip as developing nations spread their wings and old powers aspire to their former positions. Soon enough the United States might be a first among equals, and eventually find itself with peers for the first time in decades.

This all in all might not be such a bad thing for the USA.

I find Brazil's growing preeminence fascinating. It has been over a century and a half since the United States has had any nation remotely resembling a peer in the Western Hemisphere, with the arguable exception of Canada. Brazil seems poised to become one in the coming decades.

Brazil is still 30 to 40 years behind resembling anything close to Canada or the U.S.. Mexico is descending into an area they are ascending into... just look outside of Rio.

Panthera tigris altaica · Jan 28, 2012

Kingleonel said:
What time frame in United States History would you say that the country was economically, socially, and politically at its peak?

Honestly, with all the doom sayers mixed in with the rose tinted glass crowds, i believe it is too difficult in saying. But if i had to guess, i suppose we are still in the beginning or the middle of our apogee. The latter probably being more correct.

But historically, this country has gone through peaks and valleys all the time since it's inception. But if we are going down, like some say, will it be for the very last time? I am an optimistic fellow. I don't believe Americans like too keep burning themselves for an indefinite period of time and for no good reason. Then again, if the youth of this country is anything too judge it's health and future, well...?

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