The Worst Mistake Anonymous

What was the worst mistake in US history? Could it be the Compromise of 1877? Or Vietnam? Or could it even be Columbus stepping foot on the Americas? This question has always intrigued me, and I would like to explore possible answers to this question through my studies in history. However, through endless pondering, I came to the realization that there is likely no definitive answer.

My interest in this question stemmed from reading an article by Jared Diamond called “The Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race” for my AP World History class. I was immediately captivated by its content. While Diamond argued that the Agricultural Revolution was the worst mistake in world history, I came to believe that the Manchu takeover of the Ming China was a more consequential event, as it destabilized imperial China, eventually leading to its downfall, and allowing for the rise of imperialism.

My viewpoint on that question differed from one of the most influential historians of our time. I realized that the purpose of answering these questions isn’t to find a definitive answer, but to be able to articulate an argument. There is likely no single event that can be considered the worst mistake in history, but it is possible to debate...