*The United States began with a significant departure from previous revolutions, previous statements from leadership, and previous statements about how politics would be handled.
The mission statement that is the Declaration of Independence explained the events of 1776 as not simply a power grab by the wealthy landowning class. Instead it showed that the United States would be about promoting equality among men based on inherent and universal rights. To be clear, this language very conveniently inspired the unwashed masses to fight and die for the wealth of others with the promise of the possibility of wealth for themselves.
But the great thing about the American Revolution is that the new ruling class actually fulfilled the promise of democratization. The American Republic was one of the first Western civilization where regular people (some restrictions may apply) had a chance to participate in the government.
The second instance in American history in which our exceptionalism is on display is the transfers of power from Washington to Addams and Addams to Jefferson.
The fact that Washington was willing to give up the power of the executive office and the power to command the army that came with it, particularly when many citizens and soldiers were willing (eager even) to support him keeping that power, confirmed that things would be different here. Previously those in power usually gave it up only upon their death. The power transfer within the United States from Addams to Jefferson was perhaps more significant because the change in ruling political party meant a change in perspective. In both cases the United States showed itself to be exceptionally disciplined while undergoing regime changes but keeping the basic society going.
The last example of American exceptionalism is that of Reconstruction after the Civil War. Most times when a country conquers a territory they dictate to the conquered area how things will be going forward. After the Civil War though, the Union allowed the Confederacy to keep all of their rules and ways of life with the exception of changing the classification of African Americans from slaves to citizens. But in reality, citizenship privileges (what we commonly think of as civil rights) were denied many African Americans during Reconstruction, and were denied to a majority of African Americans after Reconstruction. In fact the 14th Amendment combined with the disfranchisement of African Americans in the late 19th century meant a greater population and therefore greater legislative voice for those interested in a racially stratified society.
Even assuming that the Union perspective would not have granted civil equality among races, it must be said that there was no fundamental reordering of society according to the Union vision. But this is an example of American exceptionalism because of the lenient point of view taken by the Union with regard to its conquered territory. While there are more exemptions to this rule, throughout history it was more likely that defeated territories would be remade in the image of the conquerors. That did not happen after the Civil War.
These episodes in American history show our country as attempting to operate by a different set of rules than was commonly found in the world. Those values worked for our country when we were still striving for international power.
The problem came when we achieved a position of leadership in the world – and how closely we would follow those same ideals.
To be continued in Part 2.
Trevor Brookins is a free lance writer in Rockland County, New York. He is currently working on a book about American culture during the Cold War. His writing has appeared in The Journal News. You can reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @historictrev.
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
