Question

What specific forces or interests transformed the relationship between the united states and the rest of the world between 1865 and 1890? in addition, what factors conspired to propel the united states to emerge as a military and economic powerhouse prior to world war ii?

Answer 1

After the Civil War (1861-1865), America's relationship changes with the world in several different ways. For one, slavery becomes outlawed in the US. This greatly effects the US economy, as the Southern states relied heavily on slave labor for crops such as cotton. Along with the change in the way cotton is produced, the US also starts to expand their powers elsewhere. The year 1890 marks the beginning of American imperialism, as they will continue to take over territories like Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines during the late 19th and early 20th century.

This imperialist policy allows the US to expand their political power. Besides spreading political power, the US now gains new resources because of the new land they have control of. Overall, this positively helps their economy. Along with this new political power, the success of US in World War I in helping the Allied power gives them more influence of countries in Europe (like Germany).