Americans lack historical perspective of the true significance of September 11 and the event’s role in world politics:
Six years after the September 11 attacks on the United States, most Americans view the plane hijackings that killed around 3,000 people as the most significant historical event of their lives, according to a poll released Monday.
9/11 Essay
I would never downplay the tragedy of September 11, 2001 in my politics blogs for a second. But it was not the most significant event in recent U.S. history, much less all of American history (as a politics degree or politics courses will reveal). In fact, by exaggerating the significance of that day, Americans are doing exactly what Osama bin Laden wants.
Yes, three thousand people died on that day, the United States fell into a moderate recession, and the United States invaded a Middle Eastern country (Afghanistan) that harbored and aided those who were responsible. But those were the only direct effects of the terrorist attacks. Everything that came later — the Patriot Act, the War on Terror, the invasion of Iraq, Guantanamo Bay — were only indirect results. President Bush chose to pursue these actions, rightly or wrongly, in response to the attacks (and possibly with other motivations).
Attack on Twin Towers
In the scope of recent world history, September 11, 2001, in and of itself, pales in comparison to the significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union. The direct effects of this event — the former led to the latter — were that the entire world no longer lived under a fear of nuclear annihilation, that hundreds of millions of people were no longer living under an authoritarian regime and now had a chance for democracy and that the United States could now spend less money on its military and invest in itself. I’m sure I’m missing a few other things as well. With all due respect to the victims of September 11, mild economic turmoil and the deaths of 3,000 people cannot compare to the events of 1989 and 1991.
As far as other events in American history, I’d also place World War II and Watergate (both of which are still in living memory) above September 11 in terms of significance. The effect of World War II, which includes the Cold War, the Holocaust and led to the refounding of the State of Israel, should be obvious. Watergate poisoned the U.S. political climate and made an entire generation of young people apathetic, indifferent, or even hostile towards politics as well as untrusting of politicians. More than thirty years later, I’m still not sure we have recovered. This is not a sign of a healthy civil-society.
September 11th and Twin Towers
If we exaggerate the importance of September 11, allow our minds to obsess over the attacks and change our lives significantly, then Osama bin Laden can pridefully claim a larger victory than he ever should have been allowed. And that will only inspire him and his ilk.
Earlier: September 11 Essay: The Causes of 9/11
Elsewhere: The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart gave the best speech I’ve seen following that day: Any fool can blow something up; to rebuild something is extraordinary.
