Recent Event Highlights: Monroe Doctrine, and 14 more...
Created by cthomas on Dec 8, 2009
Last updated: 12/10/09 at 11:22 AM
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Under the executive power of President Eisenhower the interstate highway system was developed. Planning started in 1921 and in 1938 during President Roosevelt's time in office, maps were drawn marking the system. The highway system made transportation in the United States much more organized and quick. It expanded the average American's opportunity to travel throughout the United States freely, as well as expanded the connection between Americans.
1948 When a supposed mass amount of gold was found in California in 1949, hopeful travelers aimed to strike gold and obtain wealth. Settlers migrated west in order to take a shot at finding gold of their own. This shows how expansion caused a mass movement to the previously unexplored land of the west based on speculation of a way to make money. The American mind set of constant movement makes its appearance during the Gold Rush for citizens did not hesitate to relocate their lives to reach a goal.
1948 to 1952 The Secretary of State ,George C. Marshall, proposed a plan to give European countries financial aid. He called on Europeans to collectively agree on what kind of assistance they needed. Even the Soviet Union was invited to participate in the planning, which was rare due to tensions with the Soviets during the time of the red scare. It was aimed to give reconstructive assistance to European countries that were in an economic recovery following WWII. Countries that benefitted from the Marshall Plan include the Nertherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Norway, Greece, Iceland, Portugal, Sweden and more; however the majority of the help was given to Austria, Denmark, Belgium, France, and Germany. The Soviet Union would not accept assistance from the Marshall Plan. The Marshall Plan relates to expansionism because it amplified the United State's spot as world power. By having the opportunity to give assistance to other countries
1946-1964 After the conclusion of world war II, a mass number of American young men were sent back home after long deployments of war. During this time, an approximate 77.3 people were born in the United States. The "Boom" took place in most countries involved in WWII. A record number of births were recorded for Asia, Australia, Europe, and Asia. This expanded the population of the United States
1904 An amendment added to the Monroe Doctrine by President Roosevelt. It was added to give the United States the right to intercede into certain foreign countries in order to balance their economic system if they were not able to pay their debts to foreign countries. The countries Roosevelt referred to specifically were small states on Caribbean islands and states in Central America. The Roosevelt Corollary is a prime example of American Imperialism as well as expansion by making a foreign presence.
1898 The Panama Canal connected the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. It allowed shipping and trading to transpire in a much more efficient manner. President Roosevelt directed for the excavation of the canal to begin. The Panama Canal relates to expansion in that the canal expanded the United States ability to travel between ports. By being able to shorten the journey to reach the end of the canal, the US was able to make its presence in numerous countries, a mark of expansionism.
1890 to 1914 Imperialism in the United States.The acquisition of the Hawaiian islands, the Panama Canal, the Spanish American War, and the Roosevelt Corollary are all examples of ways the United States has implanted its presence in the affairs of others to gain power. The Roosevelt corollary specially gives the United States the opportunity to exercise power in the small states of Central America and the Caribbean. Obtaining Hawaii and the Panama Canal spread the American law across the map. Imperialism expanded the United States into a position of a world power, placing it in the same imperialistic category as its fellow world powers, Britain, France, Portugal and Spain.
The Purchase of Alaska occurred in 1867 and the actual payment made in 1884. The United State's purchased the territory for 7.2 milliion dollars from Russian. In 1896 gold was found there. Alaska was used for fur trading, whaling, and fishing. Expansionist were in full support wheras others felt it was a useful plot of land and a waste of money. The most beneficial aspect most saw was that the purchase pushed Russia off the continent, which was a great relief for national security. The purchase links to expansionism because buying the land made America's presence even more broad. It expanded the size of the country.
This Act was a result of the Federal Land grants passed during the 1850's. It encouraged the construction of transcontinental railroads. Companies which agreed to participate were elible for pay ranging from 16 thousand to 48 thousand dollars for every mile made. The five first companies to make transcontinental railways were the Union Pacific, the Central Pacific, the Northern Pacific, the Southern Pacific, and the Santa Fe. Most of the loans went to them since they were first Contrary to popular belief much of the railroads in that time were not built as a result of the grant or by help of the government. 18,738 miles of track were a direct result of the grant. Big business was in favor of the Pacific Railroad Act, for they were given more money. Immigrants were in favor as well because it gave them opportunity to thrive. Reformers who believed it represented a mass give away of money were not in support of it. The passing of the Pacific Railroad Act transformed American culture by binding the people together. Communication was easier and transportation was updated to new heights. This represents expansionism for America expanded its technological capacity with industrialization. It also spread civilization into the further ends of America.
Passed by President Lincoln in 1862, the Homestead Act was one of three crucial decision made during the 1860's. In the Homestead Act, the government promised 160 acres of land to anyone willing to work on and cultivate the land. Immigrants were in support of the act, as were free soldiers; it was an opportunity to benefit from the resources. The South was against the act. In the long run, immigrants did not benefit from the program as much as they had hoped. Instead, new born Americans (those of European descent born in the United States) profited the most from the Homestead Act. Relating to expansion, the Homestead Act sped it up. It placed farmers in numerous places of US territory, stretching as far as the new railway went. The act forced participants to go out into the new land and tame it, making expansion into the west easier since it was already inhabited.
1890 Starting in the late 18 hundreds and early 19 hundreds, medicine was beginning to advance along with industry. Before this time there were no pain relievers for surgeries. Amputations were a normal conclusion for deep wounds or gunshots. Bullet removal was much to complicated. Pain was linked to race and social class. In 1846 a tumor was removed from a jaw, which was considered an intricate and groundbreaking accomplishment. After the shift in medicine began, surgeries became more complex. During a rabies outbreak in the 1890's, everyone in the US wanted the new rabies vaccine. Injected insulin, vitamins, and penicillin were introduced. This breakthrough is an example of expansion. The public put more faith into the younger doctors and medical practices, because this generation was discovering more in the field. View of medicine and health shifted from traditional beliefs to the newest innovations.
Revolving around the annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War continued through a two year span of a violent armed conflict. The end of the war gained the United States the state of Texas, land that the Mexicans thought rightfully belonged to them since they did not recognize the earlier succession of Texas in 1836. Gaining Texas added a mass amount of space to the United States and expanded its power over regions south of the border.
A period of raid industrialization occurred in the United States starting in the 1930's. The causes were an abundance of unskilled labor, and abundant capital, a brand new group of entrepreneurs, government taking roles to stimulate the economy, and a vass amount of natural resources. The Steam Revolution and the electric revolution occurred during the time period. Telegraph wires were set up through the new America and, escorted by fresh railroad tracks, the technology advances traveled toward to the west. The expansion which took place was an expansion of technology and imagination. The industrial revolution expanded people's ideas as to what was possible and how many advances in technology could be made.
1823 The Monroe Doctrine shaped the way United States foreign affairs would forever be handled. It was stated by President Monroe during an address to congress. It stated that the United States did not wish to be involved in any European Conflicts unless those conflicts negatively affected the United States. It demanded an end to European colonization. As long as Europe stayed out of the path of the United States, the United States would stay out of European affairs as well. It also stated that Latin countries who were gaining independence would remain independent and if the British threatened that fact, the US would intervene.
1823 The Monroe Doctrine shaped the way United States foreign affairs would forever be handled. It was stated by President Monroe during an address to congress. It stated that the United States did not wish to be involved in any European Conflicts unless those conflicts negatively affected the United States. It demanded an end to European colonization. As long as Europe stayed out of the path of the United States, the United States would stay out of European affairs as well. It also stated that Latin countries who were gaining independence would remain independent and if the British threatened that fact, the US would intervene.
1803 The purchase of the Louisiana territory by the United States. It was bought during President Jefferson's time in office and cost 15 million dollars. It was obtained from the French. It more than doubled the size of the United States and spread the territory Westward bound into a land unknown and unexplored. This purchase guaranteed that neither Spain or France could control the United State's access to the New Orleans port for trading. The Louisiana Purchase expanded the United States exponentially. It expanded trade and opened ports to the Pacific.
The first US settlers touched down in the Eastern border of North America. The original states were New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The United States continued to colonize heading towards the west and exploring new territory. Jamestown was the first permanent English colony, disregarding Roanoke Island which was lost forever. Settlers flocked there, most simply to make a profit off the resources and return to their original homes wealthy. Throughout colonization English settlers disregarded the Native Americans and put forth little effort to cooperate with them in terms of coexisting. It relates to expansion because it literally expanded the United State's location. It gave the United States a starting point for future expansion.
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