Compare and contrast American expansion (growth) in the late 1800's with expansion in the 1900's. (Identify how the expansion efforts were the same and how they were different.)
To compare and contrast American expansion in the late 1800s with expansion in the 1900s, we'll explore the similarities and differences in the expansion efforts during these periods. This kind of historical analysis requires examining various sources such as textbooks, scholarly articles, and primary sources like government records, personal letters, and newspaper articles. However, I can provide a broad overview of some key similarities and differences for you.
Similarities:
1. Economic Motivation: Both late 1800s and 1900s expansion efforts were driven by economic motivations. The United States sought to gain new markets for its goods and to access valuable resources such as raw materials and minerals.
2. Imperialism: Both periods involved American imperialism, which refers to the policy of extending a country's power and influence through territorial acquisitions or economic dominance. The U.S. pursued territorial expansion to increase its influence globally and assert its power.
Differences:
1. Territories Acquired: In the late 1800s, the U.S. expanded its influence primarily through territorial acquisitions such as the purchase of Alaska, the annexation of Hawaii, and the acquisition of territories resulting from the Spanish-American War, including Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam. However, in the 1900s, the U.S. shifted its expansion efforts to exerting economic and political influence over regions without outright colonization. This was manifested through practices like economic interventions, establishing military bases, and promoting American interests in Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
2. Motives for Expansion: While economic motivations were still present in the 1900s, additional factors shaped American expansion. During this period, the U.S. aimed to spread its political and cultural influence, promote democracy, and combat the rise of ideologies considered threatening to American interests, such as communism.
3. Methods of Expansion: In the late 1800s, territorial expansion was achieved through military conquest, negotiation, or purchase. However, in the 1900s, expansion efforts increasingly relied on economic influence, diplomacy, political interventions, and military interventions, as seen in interventions in countries like Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Vietnam.
It is crucial to conduct thorough research and consult trusted sources to obtain a more comprehensive analysis of the similarities and differences between American expansion during the late 1800s and the 1900s.