A.
Immigration was changing and shaping America in the nineteenth century. There was a steady increase in immigration throughout the century and a boom in the last two decades. By the mid nineteenth century, around forty-five persent of the population of the United States were immigrants or their parents were immigrants. All of this immigration created racial diversity, a country more crowded than before, and a large workforce, which also helped the owners of factories.
B.
Urban growth was a factor that changed the United States. Around the end of the nineteenth century, around thirty-three percent of the population lived in cities and, about a century before, about five percent of the population of America had lived in cities. This allowed factories and manufacturing, who flourished with large population and workforces (cities), to become a large part of the American society. Farming was no longer such a large part of American society. Also, the crowded cities increased problems such as political corruption, crime, overworked transportation systems, substandard housing, and inadequate sanitation.
C.
International trade was another aspect that transformed America. The increase in international trade led to a more stable economy where they were exporting more than importing. Also, the types of exports changed. While agricultural goods were still exported a great deal, but manufactured goods were one-third of the exports by the end of the nineteenth century. Either way, trade helped the growth of the American economy.
D.
A depression in 1893 also contributed to a transformation in the United States. This depression caused many to lose their jobs and go on strikes. One of the major results of this strike on the nation was the fear it instilled in people. Many did not trust the economy built on industry and manufactured goods. Since the economy did suffer, some did not believe that America would be able to amount to anything in the world. Also, many people began to view immigrants and the increasing numbers in cities as disadvantages.
E.
The use of the frontier and the filling up the frontier transformed America. The frontier had always been looked at, by the white Americans, as a place that largely contributed to the identity of the United States. This was a place where the land was fertile, there were minerals, and even Native Americans that had to be civilized that was empty as well. Many immigrants viewed the land as very cheap; sometimes it was even free. So many immigrants moved west. This was a transformation in the country because by the middle of the nineteenth century the borders of the country had been defined and there were oceans on two sides. This created the school of thought where people were terrified because they believed that America need resources, empty land, and a new frontier. This would transform the country into being one that was looking at imperialism as an option.
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. The depression further separated the workers from the plant owners. The workers felt insecure about their jobs and that the only way to solve this was to go on strike. These strikes were ways for the workers to feel in control of their occupations and be given recognition. At least five hundred thousand workers went on strike in 1984. The plant owners, however, also felt insecure. Many questioned the chances of an economy on industry and manufacturing being stable enough to survive. The plant owners were also worried about not making enough of a profit. The fact that six hundred thousand workers were fired for actions that were related to strikes proves that the relationship between the workers, strikers, and plant owners was not a good one. The fact that the depression made both groups feel so insecure is also proof that the depression of 1893 caused this.
Two other groups that were affected were farmers and city dwellers. As industry and manufacturing were taking up larger and larger amount of the economy, farmers were already not doing well from 1888. So the farmers suffered and were most likely resentful toward industry and manufacturing even more once they were hurt once again by the depression because the two railroad companies going bankrupt had hurt the market, and railroads were part of industry. City dwellers were also insecure. During this depression, around 16,000 business and 500 banks also went bankrupt, which is further proof of how employers and employees were hurt. The groups that suffered the most (besides those who lost their jobs or went bankrupt) were the plant owners, workers, farmers, and city dwellers.
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?
There were many values attached to the American frontier, so many Americans feared that closing the frontier would harm America's national character, according to white Americans. The frontier was an area filled with fertile land, mineral resources, and Native Americans that needed to be civilized. This area was empty and needed taming. To many immigrants, this land signified opportunity and others described the qualities shown in the frontier as resourcefulness, pragmatism, bravery, egalitarianism, ingenuity, patriotism, and individualism. They saw these qualities in the land empty besides the land and resources and immigrants and others saw it as a place to make a life cheaply. The frontier was a place that represented so much of the qualities many white Americans and immigrants saw to be the character of America.
Americans feared that closing the frontier would harm America's national character. Without land and resources, many older American families worried. They did not understand how expansion could exist in a country where there was no more land and how hardiness and resourcefulness could survive in a country where all of the resources had been used up. They were worried that once the country reached the physical limits, there would be no need for the qualities that had been associated with the frontier and that, without a frontier, America would lose some of its character. That was why Americans feared the closing off of the frontier.
4. Why did some Americans suggest greater involvement overseas?
Fear was one of the main reasons Americans suggested greater involvement overseas. Americans were worried about the character of America changing and they believed that America was strong enough to save themselves. Many did not want the nation to miss out on possibility of lucrative trading. Japan and European countries, such as Britain, were trying to trade with China and create laws that would not allow trading between China and America. This made people want the nation to become involved in those decisions overseas as to not disadvantage the nation and possibly miss a chance to strengthen the country economically. It was believed that strengthening the country's economy would also strengthen its power and character. Therefore, people also wanted America to become involved overseas for trading in Europe and China. Another fear and reason for getting involved overseas was political power. Many Americans wanted to increase america's political power in the world. Since European powers such as Britain and France were expanding, America had to as well. There were two major groups that wanted America to become involved overseas.
These two groups were expansionists and imperialists. Expansionists wanted to strengthen America's political power and economy, as described above. Imperialists, however, believed it was a mission, like one decided by God, to spread America and its values. Those were the reasons Americans wanted overseas involvement.
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 lend support to the cause of American imperialism. The start with, scientific racism was when certain mental abilities and personality traits were associated certain races. Although it was was British and Germans were at the top of the chart, scientific racism showed that all whites were better than other races, such as the blacks who were the lowest level. This would mean that it only made sense for America to take over the inferior people. Also, scientific racism brought about the conclusion that America and several European countries were the ones destined to dominate the world. These belief was also closely related to social Darwinism, which stated that the success of countries was survival of the fittest. In the case of countries, the fitness was their ability to be powerful over other races and cultures and that was why they were successful. So, clearly, it was alright to take over others. That is how the theories of social Darwinism and scientific racism lend support to th cause of American imperialism.
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 nations. The reasons many gave for becoming involved in any of those areas was to stop "quarrelsome" nations and ensure that Americans were able to carry on with issues regarding the economy and trade. After fight in Samoa with Britain and Germany, part of Samoa was given to each group and America received a part for helping to stop the fighting by providing weapons and such. America became involved with Latin Americans nations once Britain showed intrest in them. America was worried that Britain would take that area as quickly as it had taken over Africa. To prevent this, America claimed that they were not obeying the Monroe Doctrine, which called for Europe to stay out of the Americas. The involvement in Hawaii was to prevent the Japanese trying to immigrate into the United States even more. Americans were worried that if they did, they would try to demand rights from the US.
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