History - United States History 1865 - Essay Example

Expansion of Cuban sugar industry had then brought a measure of prosperity and a dwindling of the independent movement. But a change in American tariff policies in 1894 affected the Cuban sugar market and brought hard times, unemployment and a renewal of hostilities in early 1895. Spanish government sought to introduce reforms in Cuba on the diplomatic demand of U.S, just when the controversy seemed to be quieting and the U.S battleship 'Maine' was sunk. Despite frantic Spanish efforts to prove that the Spanish government had no part in the sinking, and new diplomatic concession, the U.

S Congress started the demand of Spain quitting the island altogether. War was the result. Throughout the nineteenth century U.S had pursued the policy of expansion. But as a new industrial America emerged it started its journey to become the new world power after the war. The country's interest in international affairs steadily grew. Friendly relations with Japan and trade with China was increased to the point when Open Door Policy 1899 was presented as a means of keeping China's trade open to all comers. Later U.S, along with Britain, Germany, France, and Japan entered into a world-wide race for power.

Viewed in the long perspective, the Spanish American War was but one incident in a series of events which marked this arrival of United States as a world power. The years between 1865 a. There were many industrial revolutionary inventions like sewing machine, steel plow, telegraph, light bulb, telephone and many more, which made the U.S. boom in the international market. As America was on its path to become the world power, it introduced the method of mass production in the country. America was a rich continent for the aggressive and ingenious to master.

Between 1865 and 1880 the national wealth doubled and by 1900 it became massive. The nation's iron ore, its oil, its lumber, and its western agricultural lands were sources of yet untapped wealth. Its people, who by and large admired the successful enterprise, eagerly provided investments and speculative capital. Only then it became clear that the dynamic capitalism of an expanding America, seizing upon unparalleled natural resources and utilizing the new machines of the industrial revolution, had transformed the national economy.

There were 140,000 industries of all types in 1860 and by 1880, there were 250,000. In 20 years the employee double and labor force got strong. Estimated wealth in 1865 was 20 billion while in 80's it was 43 billion. Bank deposits tripled between 1865 and 1880. The inflation rate between 1880 and1890 was below 5 percent, which resulted in deduction of the tax rate. There were many ups and downs during this time period but it was not enough to become a hurdle in America way in becoming a world power. 3. Discuss the problems associated with the Industrial Revolution and how the people reacted.

Include in your discussion the Populists and the Progressives.The United States, as a powerful force in the modern era of industry and world commerce, henceforth was to be an important participant in world affairs. There