The colonies wanted to be represented in England’s Parliament so that they could vote on decisions that affected them. When England began to tax the colonies for ridiculous reasons, the colonies had had enough. They cried out, “No taxation without representation!”

Shortly after the turn of the 18th century, the USA found itself drawn into disputes with the UK. It was the first time the US would fight as an independent nation. The resulting victory would boost morale and patriotism, especially because the national anthem was born during this period.

This happened because the southern states felt that they could no longer tolerate their status as members of the Union. It was the bloodiest war in the western world in the 19th century. When it was finally over, African Americans gained their freedom, while the federal government became a strong force in citizens’ lives.

The US was in a dilemma when this war broke out. The last thing they wanted to do was get involved in the European conflict. But Germany started to provoke the USA by sinking civilian ships and by trying to tempt Mexico to declare a war on the US. So, the US slowly came to the realization that staying completely neutral might not be possible.

America’s desire for isolationism was reflected by the passage of Neutrality Acts along with the general neutral approach to the events that unfolded on the world stage. When events began happening in Europe, many Americans took an increasingly hard line towards getting involved. The real event that changed the USA into a nation actively at war was the attack on Pearl Harbor.

This war was declared after the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda attacked the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on the 11th of September, 2001. The war included invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

This war was a long, costly and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the USA. More than 58,000 Americans were killed in this war. Opposition to the war in the United States bitterly divided Americans, even after President Nixon ordered the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

This war got its name because both sides were afraid of fighting each other directly. So, they supported opposing sides in conflicts in different parts of the world. They also used words as weapons. They threatened and denounced each other. It was the major force in world politics for most of the second half of the 20th century.

 On August 6, 1945, the US used a massive weapon which flattened a city, killing tens of thousands of civilians. While the country under attack was still trying to comprehend this devastation three days later, the US struck again. There is still much debate concerning the ethical and legal justification for the bombings.

 The 1920s in the United States was a period of economic prosperity with a distinctive cultural edge. The spirit of the period was marked by a feeling of novelty and a break with tradition. Modern technology such as automobiles, moving pictures, and radio, became easily affordable. People who had money were speculating as if there were no tomorrow. Everything was being left to the market.