“Why, America’s the only free nation on earth. Besides! The country’s too big for a revolution. No, no! Couldn’t happen here!” - Sinclair Lewis, It Can’t Happen Here
In the quote above, author and progressive Sinclair Lewis claims in his work, It Can’t Happen Here, that a dictator could never rise to power in the United States. Do you agree or disagree with this claim based on what you learned throughout this portfolio? Make sure to explain your thinking and connect it to what you learned in the portfolio.
Use one of these sentence starters to organize your thoughts:
Based on my understanding of the material covered in this portfolio, I agree/disagree with Sinclair Lewis's assertion because…
Sinclair Lewis is mistaken/correct because…
Sinclair Lewis is incorrect/correct about the possibility of a dictator in the U.S. because…
(4 points)
Based on my understanding of the material covered in this portfolio, I disagree with Sinclair Lewis's assertion that a dictator could never rise to power in the United States. Throughout history and in various countries around the world, we have seen how authoritarian leaders have come to power, often in democracies. The rise of dictators can be fueled by a variety of factors, including economic instability, political polarization, and a sense of discontent among the population.
In the United States, there have been instances where leaders have exhibited authoritarian tendencies or attempted to consolidate power. For example, the Watergate scandal during Richard Nixon's presidency revealed abuses of power and disregard for the rule of law. Additionally, recent events such as the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, have raised concerns about the potential for authoritarianism in the U.S.
Furthermore, the size of the country does not necessarily prevent a dictator from rising to power. In fact, the vastness of the U.S. and its diverse population could make it difficult to counter a leader seeking to consolidate power, especially if they have support from certain factions of society.
Overall, Sinclair Lewis's assertion that a dictator could never rise to power in the United States is misguided. History has shown us that democracies are not immune to authoritarianism, and it is important for citizens to remain vigilant and actively safeguard democratic institutions and values.