America from George Washington to Donald John Trump : Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

America from George Washington to Donald John Trump

Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao

70 year old Donald John Trump is elected as the 45th president of the United States defeating Hillary Clinton by a margin of over 60 electoral votes. For Trump who had no government experience earlier and was a mere real estate developer it is a decisive victory…and for President Obama more than Clinton it is a great shock.

The America that I first visited 17 years ago in July 1999 was different from that of my recent visit three months ago. Second time when I visited in March 2003 USA was involved in fierce war with Iraq. Signals of “Future Shocks” were clearly seen and felt then. Today it is totally a different America. From politics to social life to routine life to approach to various aspects everywhere and in every bit of activity noticeable contradictions of conflicting nature are seen explicitly. What is ahead of Trump is a billion dolor question as of now and when he takes office in January next this means a lot to him.

America as nation is built over years on a very strong foundation. Ever since George Washington forced the British to surrender and was unanimously elected as the first President two centuries ago, the country had grown from 13 separate colonies into the present free strong nation. Historians recorded various facets of country’s physical, economical, social and international growth and finally as the Super Power. President James Madison was responsible for adding the “Bill of Rights” to the constitution ensuring to every citizen liberties such as freedom of speech, press, religion etc.

During Herbert Hoover’s Presidency, USA suffered the great economic crash of 1929. More than 12 million Americans were out of work. Banks and businesses were failing on a large scale. His successor Franklin Roosevelt launched the “New Deal” reform program. Public funds were used to create jobs for the unemployed and provide food for the hungry and shelter for the homeless. Farms and banks were saved. He also led the nation to victory in World War II.

            After the World War II, under the Truman’s Doctrine spread of Communism was stalled. Truman also sent troops in the Korean War in 1950 in response to UN appeal, an action that became a routine in the international politics later. The “International Terrorism” had its roots in this move leading to more and more wars. Truman’s successor President Eisenhower worked hard for peace travelling on goodwill mission all over the world including India. The Nuclear Test Ban Treaty-John F Kennedy’s chief accomplishment during his brief tenure-was signed by USA, Soviet Union and Great Britain, the so called super powers of those days. Lyndon B Johnson during whose tenure the “Food-Stamp Program” was adopted, plunged the nation deeper and deeper in to the tragic conflict of Vietnam War by stationing half million US troops there.

            Nixon had undone the wrong done by Johnson by withdrawing US troops from Vietnam and winding down the war that had deeply divided the nation. Jimmy Carter worked hard to combat inflation and unemployment of late seventies but failed to solve the problems. His efforts for the release of the American Hostages in US Embassy in Iran dragged on for more than a year resulting in his defeat. “Reaganomics” of Reagan slashed spending for welfare and unemployment programs. The senior Bush benefited from the solid economy and the collapse of Communism. Internationally his popularity increased due to his role in the 1990 Gulf War when Iraq invaded Kuwait. Back home, the economy slumped and social problems got worse while at the international level, terrorism was gaining strength.

            Bill Clinton led the nation during a long stretch of full employment and economic prosperity. George W Bush was in office for two terms. During his first year in office, on September 11, 2001, the twin towers of New York World Trade Center was crashed challenging the uncrowned super power. Bush declared war on the “Al Qaeda” terrorists. As part of that global “War on Terror” Bush ordered an invasion of Afghanistan to capture or kill Al Qaeda leaders. Later beginning on March 20, 2003 US and British forces stationed in Kuwait invaded Iraq to finish President Saddam Hussein on the plea that he possesses “Weapons of Mass Destruction”. Hussein's regime was overthrown. Saddam was captured and hanged later on 30 December 2006. President Bush announced on May 1, 2003 that “Mission Accomplished”. However by May, 2004 terrorists killed almost twice as many Americans as had died in the war. Terrorism could not be wiped out.

The economy during Bush Presidency looked to be sliding toward the recession and the adverse affects continued. When Barak Hussein Obama - the first African-American to ascend to the highest office in the land, assumed office in 2009, the threat of terrorism was on the increase and global economy was in a bad shape. He inherited an economy in recession and reeling from interrelated credit and housing crises. Obama introduced the outlines of a plan before taking office, and spent much of his first weeks engaged in negotiations with Congress that led to the passage of a $787 billion bill to overcome economic crisis. This Stimulus package was meant to pump money into the economy to make up for the sudden, sharp contraction of spending by consumers and businesses.

Since becoming president Obama moved swiftly to reshape the war in Iraq, a war that he opposed from its start. He announced plans to withdraw all combat forces by August 2010. With his initiative, the United States and Russia, on July 6, 2009, reached a preliminary agreement on cutting each country's stockpiles of strategic nuclear weapons. President Obama determined to “finish the job” in Afghanistan and issued orders in November-December 2009, to send 30 thousand additional troops there. He finally figured out how to bring the eight year old long conflict to an end. Obama assured the Americans that he would start bringing American forces home in the middle of 2011, saying the United States could not afford and should not have to shoulder an open-ended commitment. He sought to convince the nation that the resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the continued existence of Al Qaeda across the border in Pakistan, which he described as a “cancer” on the region were direct threats to the United States. Finally during his regime Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda was killed and he personally announced the news of his death to the Nation. Obama Health Care is supposed to be the best sweeping measure to guarantee medical coverage for all.

In a stunning surprise on October 9, 2009, the Nobel committee announced that it had awarded its annual peace prize to President Obama "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples" which he received amidst strong protests subsequently.

Against this background Trump would be assuming office in January 2017 and to what extent he would stick to his electoral promises in general and with reference to large scale immigration to US from other countries in particular. What would be his stand on external relations is another big question before US as well as before the whole world. Will Trump be able to make America Great again as assured by him repeatedly in his election campaign? Whatever it is USA is certainly not in favor of electing a woman as its President! End.