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People inside and outside the United States of America [USA] have very
varied and conflicting views about the country and its people. Some
opinions are based on quantifiable facts. Others are conditioned by
ideology, hatred or prejudice.
Public opinion polls suggest that, under the impetus of national and
international events, Americans, like other peoples, alternate between
feelings of positivism and dissatisfaction about their country. Periods of
doubt and conflict, such as those during the two world wars (1914-18
and 1939-45), the 1930s Great Depression, the 1945-89 Cold War, the
1950s-60s civil-rights campaigns, the 1960s-75 Vietnam War, the 20034 Iraq War with its chaotic aftermath and the continuing Afghanistan
conflict from 2001, have often resulted in adaptation and renewal.
Although a desire for change was evident among the electorate and
candidates in the 2008 presidential election campaign, the difficulties of
solving domestic and global problems should not be underestimated.
the early colonial settlement of the nation by Europeans from the late
fifteenth century and the establishment of specific social values,
religious faiths and institutional structures;
the Civil War to end slavery, and southern-state secession from the
Union (1861-5);