While reading the book Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose, I was struck by something having little to do with Lewis and Clark – The American Spirit. The spirit of the Americans, who not only set out on the expedition but backed it in all its forms. It was the same spirit that animated America to settle the West, to fight Great Wars and put a man on the moon. But where is this spirit today?
This incredible national courage stretching across the federal and anti-federal lines. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson were part of the initial subscription fund for an expedition to explore the West. Regardless of political differences, this spirit of exploration was instilled in that founding generation.
Small but Mighty in Spirit
John Adams wrote of settling the West and of course, the Americans, in 1812, tried to take Canada, as if they did not have enough land. All were in agreement not only of exploration but that America could and would compete with the great powers regardless of their size.
What is truly incredible is comparing the size of this country with the nations it was trying to compete with. The British, French and Spanish Empires. How could this tiny, brand new nation think it could compete with world powers? That it dared to do so despite failure, in the face of failure. Undaunted courage indeed.
A Spirit Undaunted
It was a spirit that recognized there would be failures. That those failures were part of life and part of doing anything worth anything in this world. A spirit stretching from Lewis and Clark to the Apollo Program.
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we’re willing to accept. One we are unwilling to postpone. And therefore, as we set sail, we ask God’s blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure that man has ever gone.” John F. Kennedy
We do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Kennedy’s Apollo was a heap of chips pushed to the center of the table. Apollo came out of a long, honored tradition of great American boasts. We can whip the British, cross the Rockies, build taller buildings, grow more corn and make better mouse traps than anyone else.
Childish boasts some would say but there for there was NEVER anything subtle them. Anything anyone else can do America can do better. But there was always and added clause that gave them weight and dignity. If you don’t believe it, just watch us.
The Fire
On January 27th, 1967, Gus” Grissom, Edward H. White and Roger B. Chaffee died while training for their mission. It is curious that, two and a half years later – July 20th, 1969, – that same program and the same nation, sent men to the moon.
In definitive account of the Apollo program, there is no evidence from any person who was a part of this program from the President to the staff at NASA, that there would ever be a stop or halt. The sent mission after mission for the next two years until we reached our objective.
The American Spirit Sapped
As best I can tell, the 1960s in many ways sapped this spirit. The belief in America to do undertake great enterprises was lost. The coming together to do something, not because it was easy or without risk or danger, but because it was hard.
Vietnam, injustice, assassinations and the downfall of the social movement as most of the youth of the 60s turned to traditional ways of life – had an impact on our nation. The much needed and most necessary reforms caused Americans to question themselves and to lose that swagger.
It was at that time that we began the slow descent into cynicism and skepticism about America and all she was built on. If we could tolerate all of that maybe we are not so great after all.
While skepticism and questioning has its place, it also causes hesitation and wavering. The questioning saps the will and the courage to take bold actions. For, how can you set out on a dark and perilous course if you are not sure of yourself?
Renaissance of the American Spirit
Now is the time to bring back belief in America. It cannot be belief on our own terms. Only if X, Y, and Z, will I approve and believe in this nation. This doesn’t work in life. There is no perfect entity or person. But strength comes when you believe in it warts and all. Belief does not equate to condoning.
Our spirit, that undertook those tremendous feats from the Revolution until the 1960s, lies dormant. Like one of those spent volcanoes you see around the world. However, we are not an extinct volcano, we are dormant just waiting for the right condition to erupt once more.
It is time to put aside the foolish notion that believing in American exceptionalism is somehow fascist. Rather, belief in the power of America is the best thing for all in this world. For, who else but a strong America is able to stand up to the bad things of this world? Strong if we would only believe.
Apollo was almost like a Renaissance, but nobody wants to confront that possibility, as it will show them what they have so casually thrown away and shelved.
Further Reading/Exploration:
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/282086 – Apollo by Charles Murray
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45546.Undaunted_Courage – Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVBQIY-luVM – JFK Speech “We choose to go to the Moon”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDV3xNjHRWA – David McCullough “The American Spirit”