While the civil rights struggle was at its peak, America was simultaneously going through a foreign policy crisis as well.
It was the official policy of the United States
that small foreign nations
did not have the right to choose a collectivist form of society
as opposed to a capitalist one,
even of their own volition.
Socialism meant a huge improvement in the standard of living
of the oppressed masses in these nations, so the people often revolted for it.
The US, in turn, was always willing to help keep the corrupt capitalist martinets in power,
sacrificing young American soldiers in military operations
that had absolutely nothing to do with defending American freedom.
Whatever global good will we had from opposing Nazi oppression in Europe and Japanese imperialism in Asia
was completely lost during this period--American became a "bad guy"--
and this has not yet been corrected.
Even if we actually have the moral high ground in international conflict,
nobody is ready to see it.
We disgraced ourselves far too much in recent decades passed,
and we have not repaired our image..