There’s a constant flow of action in Washington, DC. Whether it’s politicians striding to and from work or diplomats delivering important messages, there’s always something happening in the Capital City.
That’s why it’s crucial to keep up with the latest news in DC, and to follow the stories of local residents that matter to you. Here are 10 key events shaping the city today, from World War I to the current political climate.
1. World War I
World War I, often referred to as “The Great War,” wrecked empires and created new nations. It was also the first war fought using modern weapons.
The war started in Europe between Germany, France, Russia and other countries on one side and Britain, the United States, and others on the other. It lasted four years and saw over seventy million soldiers battle.
The war was a major turning point in American history. It changed how Americans viewed themselves as global citizens, but it also stoked national pride and fueled disenchantments that set the stage for a future of violence.
2. World War II
World War II was one of the most devastating conflicts humankind ever experienced. More than 55 million people died, and it changed the lives of every man, woman, and child who fought in it.
The United States joined the war as an ally, but the war eventually broke apart because of several factors. First, the Soviet Union believed in communism, an economic system that favored state ownership over private ownership.
Second, the Soviets had a totalitarian system in which government officially recognized only the Communist Party and silenced opposition groups.
Third, America believed in capitalism, an economic system in which businesses were free to do business as they saw fit.
These differences in ideology and economics caused distrust between the two nations. The tension spawned what became known as the Cold War. This diplomatic conflict shaped the U.S. as a global power and set the stage for its rise to world leadership.
3. Cold War
In the aftermath of World War II, US strategists set out to build a new international order. They sought a balance of power in Eastern Europe, a global sphere of influence, and unrivaled military strength.
They also sought to contain Soviet expansion, which posed threats to Western Europe and the United States. In addition, they wanted to ensure a monopoly on the world’s nuclear weapons.
While the Cold War largely ended in 1991, its impact continues to be felt today. Many of the economic and social tensions that fueled the conflict are still present in some parts of the world.
4. Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a long and bloody conflict involving the United States. This war shaped Washington in many ways and continues to influence our government today.
The US supported the South Vietnamese army during the war against the North Vietnamese communists. This was because the North wanted to take over the entire country and they were supported by China, the Soviet Union and other countries.
After the war began, people started to get angry and they protested against it. This created a different feeling amongst Americans and changed their views.
In 1968 the president Lyndon Johnson decided to change the US policy and he started to withdraw troops. He also started to help with peace talks in Paris.
5. Korean War
In Washington, the Korean War is commonly known as the “Forgotten War” despite having been fought for decades and causing countless deaths. The conflict was a defining moment for US relations in Asia, but it was also one of the most brutal wars of all time.
In many ways, the conflict was shaped by the United States’ Cold War mission to prevent communism from spreading in China and in the world. But it was also a civil war in Korea with anti-colonial underpinnings that could have been avoided if the U.S. had not supported a ruthless, hard-line, anticommunist regime in South Korea led by Syngman Rhee.
President Truman’s administration justified the war as a self-defense act, but the United States and its allies committed unimaginable atrocities that remain deeply unresolved to this day. The Korean War is often a forgotten war, but it is one that had a powerful impact on the nation and helped shape the country we live in today.
6. Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the most dangerous times in history. The Soviets had secretly placed missiles in Cuba that could reach the United States in minutes, and President Kennedy was worried about a nuclear war between the two countries.
The crisis lasted thirteen days and began when an American plane flying over Cuba discovered that the Soviets were building launching sites for missiles. It was the closest that the Cold War came to escalating into a nuclear war.
The crisis had a great impact on the Cold War, and it also had a major impact on how Washington viewed the Soviet Union. It was a time of fear and uncertainty, and President Kennedy demonstrated strong leadership through calm open-minded engagement.
7. Watergate
Watergate is one of the most enduring scandals to ever hit Washington. It was a watershed event that had an uncanny effect on the nation’s political landscape and left a lasting impression on how Americans view government and trust their leaders.
A June 1972 break-in at the Watergate Hotel in Washington sparked the investigation that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation in August 1974. The investigation also exposed multiple abuses of power in the Nixon administration.
The events that surrounded the break-in were complicated and confusing. The chronology can be muddled, but the story was eventually told by two intrepid reporters: Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post.
8. Iran-Iraq War
The Iran-Iraq War was one of the most protracted and expensive wars in recent history. It lasted eight years and cost half a million lives.
The conflict was fought in part over Iraq’s attempt to establish itself as a major power in the Persian Gulf and its lucrative oil trade. But it also posed problems for the United States and other Western nations, which rely on Gulf oil imports for their energy needs.
The conflict lasted from 1980 to 1988 and involved heavy use of chemical weapons by both sides. It was the only major war in modern times in which the two sides used these weapons on a significant scale.
9. Iraq War
The war in Iraq was a momentous event for Washington, but also for the people of Iraq. It was the first major US military operation in the Middle East since World War II, and it spawned a number of crises that are still impacting Americans today.
One of these crises was the Administration’s planning for post-war Iraq. Senior Bush Administration officials made assumptions about what post-war Iraq would be like and how easy it could be for the United States to transition to a stable government there.
They relied on rosy scenarios about how easy it would be to establish a stable post-Saddam government, and they never seriously considered alternative, more realistic, projections of what would be required. It was a mistake that has had enormous consequences for America and for the people of Iraq. It is a lesson that should not be repeated.
10. Afghanistan War
From ancient times, great powers have tried to conquer Afghanistan. Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and the British Empire all tried to take control of the country.
After taking many losses, these great powers eventually withdrew from the country. But that doesn’t mean the Afghanistan War is over.
In the past 20 years, a coalition of Western forces, led by the United States, has attempted to stabilize Afghanistan and destroy Islamist forces in the country. But despite a series of victories, the Taliban continues to gain ground in Afghanistan.
A new report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies shows that 65 of Afghanistan’s 398 districts are now contested or under direct control of the Taliban. That’s enough to overwhelm the remaining US troops in the country. This is why Washington officials are now scrambling to deal with the new reality in the war-wracked country.
