What single person do you think had the greatest positive impact on the United States? It does not have to be a politician or president.
The Greatest American
Discussion in 'History Forum' started by saturneptune, Dec 16, 2006.
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I find may people throughout history has influenced this land greatly. There are people in every generation. I believe Martin Luther king held the mirror and allowed America to take a good look at itself. We sent out your men to fight for the freedom of another nation (Vietnam) while he himself could not sit in the front of the bus or sit at the counter of a diner.
Susan B Anthony stood strong and contrary to what some felt were Biblical sanctioned ways. She held the mirror while we saw Women to be people and not objects. I could go on with people I value in history but the ones I would list are the ones who caused us to pause and look at ourselves. -
If modern leaders would follow his lead, on several issues, this country would be a much better place.
O, two biographies of Washington I think everyone should read...
"His Excellency: George Washington" By Joseph Ellis
"Founding Father" By Richard Brookhiser -
I have to go with Washington. The USA could have taken a completely different direction had Washington not been the man he was.
A good argument can be made for Lincoln as well - we could have become two or several nations if it had not been for him. -
I believe Lincoln is actually the greater statesman, and keeping the Union together as important as Washington's leadership during the Revolution.
But I'll admit a certain prejudice based on Washington's involvement with Tanacharisson, the Seneca Half-King, just prior to the French and Indian War. Of course, his loss there was an education that helped later.
Neither have been matched as Greatest Americans. -
FDR and Ronald Reagan for standing strong for democracy and freedom even when the isolationists said it couldn't work, and proving that it could.
Joseph Botwinick -
General Robert Edward Lee
He was an incredible man of God. Who served him unselfishly.
#2 would be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
He believed all men are created equal and should not be judged by the color of their skin but the character of the heart.
#3 would be H.K. Edgerton, who is trying to keep both of these mens dreams alive. -
George Washington.
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For what reason do so many choose Washington?
Because he was a great war leader?
Great president?
I think the term "founding father" or "father of this nation" is a bit skewed and gives him credit for work and effort of many other men. Was America Washington's idea? -
Thanks for the responses so far. It seems most people look to political leades as the greatest. There are all sorts of aspects to the American culture such as discoveries by Dr Jonas Salk, and maybe technological and economic revolutions like Henry Ford or the work of the Wright brothers.
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Marion Michael Morrison, Julius Henry Marx, Ronald McDonald, Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli, Ralph Hinkley
:smilewinkgrin: :smilewinkgrin: :smilewinkgrin:
*sigh* I wish my edit time would run out..... :) -
I think the category is far too broad. However, considering political figures, I would have to limit my answer to three great Americans:
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Franklin Roosevelt -
If you were to list the three who had the greatest impact in making America the great nation it is, there would be no others.
A step below would be Jefferson for his view of democracy, Madison for the Bill of Rights, and Hamilton for his vision and work to secure us as one nation. -
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Well you know something Mean Gene webdog, all through the '80s I watched so much WWF brother that I could do a Hulkster impersonation that would even impress Terry Bollea himself man. Come to think of it if I trained, said my prayers, ripped my T-shirt, and ate my vitamins if my diet would let me I could probably do it again....So how I didn't think of him for the list I'll never know. Hope I never meet the Hulkster now or I'll really be on the wrong side of the 24 Inch Pythons™ :smilewinkgrin:
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I agree that he was a great American for that reason alone. Oh, for the days when the Democrats actually cared about democracy and the rest of the world, and not just themselves and their own political power.
Joseph Botwinick -
Moving this to the History Forum since it is not news. :)
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It was news to me. I didn't know so many people liked George???
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Scarlett O. ModeratorModerator
I'd like to cast a vote for that great 18th century woman who, after the premature death of her husband, stubbornly managed a 600-acre farm and sternly raised 5 children alone, the oldest of whom because our first president....
....Mary Ball Washington.
I'd also like to cast a vote for every single man and woman of great value to this nation, who because of their gender or their skin color or their country of origin or their religious affiliations were not given the privilege of having their names in the history books.
So many untold people contributed just as much as some of the previous people listed and we, sadly, will never know their names nor how ever-so-important they were to this country.
A presidency does not necessarily a great man make nor does a president become great man on his own accord.
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