Historical events have different impacts on different individuals and societies. However, modern people, governments, and even societies see the effects more as positive rather than negative because it provides practical lessons. Indeed, the actions of past leaderships and past occurrences help the current society in making informed decisions concerning the national and even international policies. This essay will delve into various lessons learned from historical events in various fields.

Diplomatic Negotiations

From the course textbook, it is evident that different people have different perceptions about diplomatic negotiations (Moss, 2009, p. 274). Indeed, Nixon’s decision to remove US Army from Vietnam had to be done with a lot of care in that some people would have thought that the US had surrendered. During his presidential campaign, Nixon had criticized his predecessor’s methods in Vietnam stating that military use was not necessary since diplomacy would have solved the situation. There was an eventual withdrawal of US Army in Vietnam during the time that Nixon’s plan was headed for success. From these events, it is evident that negotiations do away with the possibility of war and hence any possibility of bloodshed. Negotiations involve reaching a compromise; all the parties come to a consensus where all of them benefit in some way. However, negotiations do not bring peace all the time because there are situations where the other party misinterprets the situation by sensing defeat in the other team. During such a situation, the gains registered may be watered down, and the old situation restored (Moss, 2009).

Presidential Leadership

Several US presidents made significant decisions that affected the country in one way or the other. From Abraham Lincoln’s declaration on slaves to the more current decision by President Obama to withdraw American soldiers from the Middle East, their decisions have had diverse impacts. Perhaps the most understood a presidential decision is that made by Nixon to withdraw the US soldiers in Vietnam. Nixon showed leadership that no other president had shown in the US for decades. The fact that his decision would have had perverse effects on the US authority as a superpower especially in the eyes of the Soviet Union implied the importance of this decision (Moss, 2009). The lesson learned here is the importance of presidential leadership especially when it comes to making tough decisions that can have uncertain impacts on the country and its citizens.

Cultural/Social Contexts

Vietnam War gave rise to man revolutions in the country, which led to several evils in the country. Drug abuse among the youth escalated to an extent that President Nixon appointed Mr. Hess to look into the problem. President Nixon used a different approach to reducing drug abuse in the country. He promoted treatment and prevention rather than enhancing the laws that restrict drug abuse. His administration was more successful on this front than the other presidents had. The lesson learnt here is that it is better to use other means of solving a situation other than forcing people to adhere to certain rules. Additionally, the society is liable for the activities of any government in that they are the one electing the government into office. The election of Nixon meant that the people were tired of the war, and thus they elected someone to end it (Dallek, 2008).

Conclusion

The lessons learned from historical events especially Vietnam intervention is that American presidential decisions are very important. An American president makes tough decisions that affect not only the United States of America but also the international community. Although it may be affected by several factors such as culture and policies, the president always decides the outcome. Thus, the knowledge of past events provides an experience capable of improving decision-making.

References

Dallek, R. (2008). American history ([Teacher’s ed.). Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell.

Moss, G. (2009). Vietnam, an American ordeal (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.