1. Identify five important changes that transformed America in the nineteenth century.
A. One of the first changes that transformed America in the 19th century was annexing Hawaii, Cuba, Guam, etc. This transformed America, not only physically because of new land mass, but also because it could've easily made us stronger as a nation. More land generally means more power, so these different lands being annexed could indirectly mean more power for America as a nation.
B. Another change that helped transform America in the 19th century was expanding in the westward region. These western lands held many natural resources that therefore provided great wealth to America. As the reading states, "and as a result the United States built up significant economic and political power" due to the resources we now had in the west.
C. A third change that helped transform America in the 19th century was immigration. Immigration obviously contributed to the large ethnic diversity that American began to develop as well as increasing the population of America.
D. A fourth chanfe that helped transform America in the 19th century was urban growth. Urban growth changed a lot of things in America. America was orginally populated by mostly farmers, and now, all of a sudden, it had tons of people living in cities and working in factories. This changed the lifestyles of the people of America because almost everyone had an occupation in a city and had given up agriculture.
E. Lastly, trade helped transform America in the 19th century. Trade helped America economically; with all the new advancements in manufacturing, farming became less and less necessary because products could be produced in new factories, more efficiently and most likely more cost efficient. So, not only did America exporting so many goods bring in money, but by producing goods through factories instead of old fashioned farming, it was also more cost efficient.
2. How did the economic depression that began in 1893 deepen the divisions in American society? Which groups suffered the most during the depression?
The economic depression that began in 1893 deepened the divisions in American society because it put many people who all had similar jobs, out of work. All of these people hada worked in manufactioning and facotries, and suddenly they were out of work because of the depression. This made people very worried and scared and "many saw labor strikes as one of the few ways they could gain recognition and control in their working lives" which generally only made things worse. All of these workers that once had a common job had to revert back to basics, to what they had before industilization. Most of all, the ones who were back to farming, or who had stayed in the occupation of farming, suffered so much during this depression. The farming market was already going downhill because so many people were depending on industry and factories, but when the depression hit, it became even worse then it already was.
3. What were the values many Americans attached to the frontier? Why did many Americans fear that the closing of the frontier would harm America's national character?
The values many Americans attached to the frontier were "resourcefullness, bravery, pragmatism, ingenuity, individualism, egalitrianism, and patriotism" according to the reading, were very closely realted values attached to the frontier. The closing of the frontier was a major concern, mostly to those from "old" families. Many people thought that without more land to explore, and without more resources to find that America would become a completely different place. Many thought that we would not be able to sustain our economic level without finding new resources in new lands, others thought that the values attached to the frontier would pretty much die out. They thought that values such as "resourcefulness" couldn't be kept alive if there were no new places with new resources.
4. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?
Some Americans suggested greater involvement overseas, specifically in Chinese markets because of the large population and amount of consumers there. As the reading says, " Some buisnessmen and politicians believed that overseas expansion especially into Chinese markets would fuel economic growth" Simply, the amount of people overseas, could possibly be willing to buy American products and would obviously help the American economy. Also, Japan and Europe were starting to try to impose laws on China's trade, and Americans feared that if they didn't do the same then suddenly they would not be able to have any buissness in the Chinese markets which would not help the American economy at all.
5. How did the theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lend support to the cause of American imperialism?
The theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lended support to the cause of American imperialism because social Darwinism and scientific racism introduced the theory "survival of the fittest" This theory in supprt to the cause of social Darwinism was helpful because it simply stated that some people may have been born to rule and to be in control, while tohers who were inferior would die off. The theory of natural selection was involved in this, in the way that those who were meant to lead and had everything they needed to lead, would, while those whou didn't have the tools and advantages that others had, would not lead due to their lack of necessities. This is similar to natural selection because scientifically, natural selection states that those who are more suited to live will grow and reproduce with one who is also more suited to survive; therefore the population would easily become more "fit" while the less fit died off because they didn't have the advantages that some others had, just like social Darwinism.
6. Summarize why the United States became involved in Samoa, Hawaii, and several Latin American nations.
The united states became involved in Samoa, Hawaii, and several Latin American countries for a variety of reasons. These reasons were beneficial to the United States, take Hawaii for example. Hawaii was mainly occupied by the Japanese, and if we hadn't annexed it into the United States, we were worried that they would start demanding rights and perhaps take away our port at Pearl Harbor. Therefore, in order to avoid these inconvienences, the United States annexed Hawaii. Another reason why the United States became involved with many islands in the Pacific is because they were great pitstops. If Americans were on their way to Asia or Australlia, they had a place to stop if necessary. Also, these islands provided good resources to be sold by America to help increase American income and help our economy.
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