Should America Switch To The Metric System Essay

America is the only industrialized nation not using the metric system. There are only other two countries that still are not using the metric, which are Burma and Liberia. That means out of the 196 countries in the world, only 3 countries including the US are still using the Imperial system. Both Burma and Liberia are some of the poorest countries in the world and, are considered developing countries. While neither of these countries are officially declared metric, they use this as their majority. Currently Burma is considering going metric and have started making plans, meaning in the near future we may be the only country left still using the Imperial system. A lot of the people living in Burma and Liberia are political refugees from countries that already use the metric system. So the majority of the people living in these countries are already using the metric system. The reason these two countries have not declared metric is because they are developing countries with bigger issues. This means the United States is singled out as the only country that is not using the metric system,

American Exceptionalism is a true and driving force in society and politics throughout America’s history, this idea can create multiple debates over opinions of the matter. First American Exceptionalism is the idea that America is exceptional to all other countries, the belief that we are dominant to anyone and that nothing stands in our way. The term American Exceptionalism is found commonly used in a political setting, but also affects the normal everyday life of all residents of the United States of America. The idea of American Exceptionalism has been a controversial topic for years now, and many scholarly authors have written their own opinion, or somehow addressed American Exceptionalism in a book or essay. A prime example of this is Thomas Paine’s essay, Common Sense, written around 1775, in colonial times.

America has set a precedent in global history that other countries would eventually follow. Americans themselves have been regarded as the most patriotic for their country, and egotistical at that. Now when it comes to pride and confidence, one must have something to support their claims and beliefs. In America’s case, we have one of the largest economies on the planet, and one of the strongest militaries as well. How ever, one thing doesn’t seem to add up. In order to be one of the strongest economic powers, as well as militaristic. You would need very well educated citizens running the system, ranging from bank tellers, to stock investors. And even corporals, lieutenant, and sergeants need some form of proper education. Then why is it that time and time again, foreign countries are dominating us in the education field?

American Exceptionalism was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America. To illustrate how the American way of thought is superior to the other ways of the world, Tocqueville expresses that the American way of thought is distinctively unique and special. This distinction is exemplified through liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and Laissez-Faire Economics. These qualities prove America’s exceptionality and difference from other countries. Although American Exceptionalism originated in the early 1800s, the idyllic values Tocqueville paints in his book can be seen throughout American history. Specifically, in the 1960s, a decade where de Tocqueville’s defining characteristics of American Exceptionalism are

Americans are one of the very few countries that have our own way of measuring things. Our measures are mysterious to foreigners, foreigners that live in world surrounded by the metric system. The United States should become apart of the 193 countries currently using the metric system. America should convert to the metric system because there will no longer be error in converting to metric system, it 'll make trading easier, and the rest of the world uses it.

At the start of the 19th century, America was already expanding its territory. In 1803, the United States of America had bought the Louisiana Territory, it was bought from France which had made the country two times larger. In 1819 Spain had given up their territory of Florida to the United States. President Monroe issued the “Monroe Doctrine” in 1823, its main purpose was to warn the European countries to not enter the Western Hemisphere. In order for America to achieve its goal of becoming an imperialist nation they had conquered other countries economically, culturally, and with a strong military in the late 1800’s. Economically the U.S. had made advances in technology and began to get oversea territories. Culturally they had used the

The United States had for years been improving and growing rapidly. Away from the other world powers in Europe, they were able to avoid their conflicts for a long time, but that changed. America got involved in World War One and it affected some of their advancements. U.S imperialism was able to thrive in WWI, with America using the power to expand their empire. American progressivism however, fell between the cracks and disappeared for a long while during and after the war. WWI was not necessarily a distraction from either imperialism or progressivism, but it did affect them substantially.

The metric system is a system of measurement with length based upon the meter, mass or weight on the gram, and capacity based on the litter. Only 94.12% of countries don’t use the metric system in its entirety. The U.S. is one of the 5.88% that doesn’t use the metric system, but should because of the international relations, a boom in businesses, and the success of the other converted countries.

Exploitation is wrong, but there have been multiple times in history where men have “justified” exploitation with progress and expansion. The real question is if their claims were entirely true. In the past, America used its power to exploit, conquer, and gain a foothold in foreign continents like Asia. Some may think that America’s exploitation was completely unjust, while others think that exploitation was needed for progress. America’s exploitation during imperialism was definitely unjust. Even acts that made America seem good were just that – acts. Evidence of this can be seen in how America exploited countries by undermining local government and ideals, using military power, and reforming countries into its own image.

The United States owes its distinctiveness to the achievements of many people. However, there were those who had a more profound influence on America’s success in becoming a unique nation such as Sam Adams. He used his influence as a leader in the Boston community and as a member of the Massachusetts General Court to steer public opinion before and during the American War for Independence. Sam Adams specifically influenced the United States in becoming a distinct nation through his leadership and his writings.

What makes someone an American? This is a question that has so many answers because so many people have different views on Americanism. One person might claim you have to be born in America, some might say you have to be raised in it. While they are not necessarily wrong, others will have a different idea. Some people view Americanism as an attitude, not a nationality. It is how you present yourself to others and to the world. They believe Americanism is based on the American people, not the American land. To them, being an American is about understanding their values and ethics and going along with them.

From the inception of the United States as a nation, to World War 2, the US have basically been an isolationist nation. Many historians attributes the US isolationism tendencies during its early ears to the way the country was founded. The thirteen American colonies were populated by people who fled from Europe, where there was religious persecution, economic privation and war. The colonists wanted to be away for all that. The distance and the rigors of travel from Europe accentuate the remoteness of the New World, setting the tone for the isolationist mindset. In addition, the geographic of the United States, for example it many navigable waterways, its climate and it been buffered by two oceans, the Atlantic to the East and the Pacific

Harris, James T., and Richard R. Beeman. “United States.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 29 Apr. 2018, www.britannica.com/place/United-States/An-age-of-reform.

“A shift in one component will inevitably have an impact on the institutional structure” (American Military History - Volume 1, 4). Any changes in equipment, strategy, or technology to adapt to warfare, will unavoidably affect the way of warfare, which in turn, affect the US as a whole. From 1765 through 1918, four wars occurred and influenced United State (US) to change. These wars were American Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783), Civil War (1861-1865), Spanish–American War (1898), and World War 1 (WWl) (1914-1918). They shaped the US, by pushing US to increase weapon development, foreign control, overall military force and stance, and military strategy.