The first sentence matters most. It is where readers are won and lost. So in this sentence you can persuade readers that you and your essay are worth their attention. The first sentence often sets up some of the key words or themes of the essay. By all that meas it is good to be a common issue.
For EXssssss.
"in the United States": anyone interested in the U.S. should be paying attention
"general equality of conditions": so many can be interested in your essay
"attracted my attention": these new things are worth the attention of smart observers;
to be an engel to everyone.. :]