American Industrialization after the Civil War - Essay Example

?Insert Chapter 16 American industrialization after the Civil War A combination of different factors made the United s an established industrial economy after the Civil War. These factors can also be attributed to the role they played in the 1865 victory in the War. These issues encompass a cordial relationship between public and private sectors; the increase of American population through an influx of foreign nationals, and a popular spirit of determination in order to realize an objective. The extent and dimension of the war prompted friendlier government-business relationships. This period marked the start of the big budgets of federal government and direct governmental liaisons with the corporate sector, especially those that expanded the railroad lines and other infrastructures. Railroads had immensely contributed in Union victory, hauling supplies and ferrying servicemen. Foner avers that the “second industrial revolution” was achieved with limited government interference in the corporate sector affairs; businesses developed through self-regulation (512). Civil War had taught the average citizens that real economic emancipation would be achieved if everyone played his or her role as required, especially in demanding moments, such as grappling with water privation and power rationing as well as taking up the arms to defend national goals. The short but often severe conflict taught Americans to not only exercise stoicism, but persevere in order to realize sound economic goals. As the country achieved better economic growth and industrialization transformed the nature of American ideology, the society achieved the growth of middle class, and a generation unique innovations within the industries. The country joined forces in the wake of strong government support, a steady supply of labor and a spirit of sacrifice and determination to achieve a mature industrialized society. Gilded Age political system The Gilded Age saw an ineffective political system that failed to effectively meet its goals, despite the fact that the period experienced remarkable economic and social transformations, which required the input of the political leadership. Although, some political figures made significant contribution during this period in an effort to tackle the challenges faced by the society, most national goals went unattended. The failure of the political leadership can be attributed to a larger proportion of the national leaders, who abandoned their call to formulate good policies for the country, maybe because they ascended to office due to their financial muscle, rather than ideology. The “Politics in a Gilded Age” according to Foner, saw influential businessmen control state institutions from the private sector platforms, to the chagrin of public good (523). The political parties in the Gilded Age were divided by parochial interest. The era was marked by rampant corrupt practices in the political system, a culture that presently would be classified as grand corruption, was the order of the day. Businessmen wantonly bought public officers at all levels of government. Political machinations turned democratic elections into a sham, hence denying voters rightful and deserving leaders. The slim majority between Republican and Democratic political parties made both sides unwilling to make good policies for the good of the country for fear of losing political support. In a nutshell, political accountability in the use of public funds; and few legislations passed by Congress drew the country back in terms of socio-economic progress. The outcome was that the country made slight achievement of national goals. The Gilded Age and American Freedom According to Foner, “freedom in the Gilded Age,” was a significant aspect of the era (528). The economic growth of the Gilded Age impacted American freedom in the labor market and the running of business in the country. The period influenced the development of a liberal market, with decreased tariffs, affordable taxes, and low inflation rates and, in general, less government interference in the affairs of the corporate sector. It was argued that government levies would be the cause of inflation and monopolies, which were believed to be a source of imperialism, with the consumer always at the receiving end. The Gilded age saw widespread denunciation of imperialism and American “colonialism” abroad. The American political elite maintained that national economic prosperity was premised on freedom in the industry, which also included better wages for the workers. The idea of workers’ freedoms was an imperative aspect of American freedom during the Gilded Age. The economic gains from the industrial revolution prompted workers to join forces and speak with one voice against dictatorial nature of the workplace environment and poor remuneration practices. By 1890, workers had established “democratic” unions, which tried to challenge the authority of business and the political leadership. Nonetheless, with claims of safeguarding assets or fearing violent confrontations and damage to property, business organizations employed strike breakers to force the workers back to work. Governors sent security officers to break strikes and maintain the status quo albeit in a violent way. Chapter 19 Progressive Presidents’ foreign policy As American economic expansion through industrial productivity increased, presidents who served during the Progressive Era were prompted to explore foreign markets in a move Foner avers culminated in the “era of Intervention,” if diplomacy failed to work out. Americans believed that the country had a goal to achieve; to spread the Anglo-Saxon civilization to the rest of the world. The need to spread American ideology prompted Progressive presidents to use diplomacy and military interventions to achieve its goals. In late nineteenth century, the US foreign policy took an aggressive dimension. The threat to use military force in Venezuela, during the 1890s, is an example of the aggressive American foreign policy during the period. Additionally, a revolution against the colonial Spain in Cuba culminated in the Spanish-American War (1898), which Whitehouse approved to liberate the country from the imperialist. From that conflict the United States achieved control of the country, and foreign empires. The progressive Presidents also used force to take the Hawaii in 1898, a significant link to the Asian markets. The Progressive Presidents’ foreign policy also advocated the independence of several states in Asia. For instance, in 1900, the country implemented the Open Door Policy, voicing support for continued Chinese sovereignty in order to enjoy easier access to China's markets. As the Americans battled against the Spanish for the freedom of Cuba, the US took her place in the club of the imperial countries with colossal assets spread around the world, but mainly concentrated in South America. In a nutshell, during the progressive Era, American presidents played a key role to sustain its influence in Asia through cordial relations while pursuing the military interventions in the West. United States involvement in World War I When World War I began in 1914, the United States tried to adopt a middle-line stance, with various American political institutions advocating isolationism in foreign policy implementation to achieve this goal. Regardless, the country did join the war following numerous events. In an effort by the warring sides, the Allies and the Central powers, to draw the United States into the fray, the US became victim to heavy propaganda. The literature appeared to support Britain as bearing cultural connections with the US as the main reason for the latter to participate more actively in support of the former. Notably, although pro-German propaganda was scanty, the Americans would definitely hold it with much contempt. Germany was perceived by the American public as a treacherous kingdom with totalitarian ideology, including a veiled agenda to weaken democracy and American influence through military force. There were claims of industrial disruption, contaminating water supplies, abducting Americans, and supporting American labor activism by Germans to limit the United States’ foreign missions. This propaganda, along with massive submarine warfare by Germany aggravated the widespread hate of the European giant; hence, the Foner’s implication of the “war at home” (628) In early 1917, Germany recommenced massive submarine warfare. The country through the Zimmermann Telegram, invited Mexico to its side, promising her resources and support to recapture what the United States had earlier annexed from her such as Arizona, and Texas. The document was intercepted by the British spy agency, and shared with Washington. President Wilson made public the Zimmerman document, which was largely perceived as an adequate ground for the American involvement in the war. At first President Wilson countered the German submarines by ordering the fitting of American merchant water vessels with arms effective enough to sink the German vessels on the surface; the strategy, however, became a cropper when dealing with submerged U-boats. The sinking of more than half-dozen merchant ships belonging to country prompted the United States to join the war in April 1917. Impacts of World War I on American relations World War I impacted the relations between American men and women relative to their contribution toward the achievement of national goals. During the conflict, most America’s men were sent abroad to the battle grounds, and therefore, had to be replaced by women in the industries. Women began joining positions that were previously occupied by and reserved for men, and used the gains to raise their families in the absence of men. The war resulted in women independence in a society that had previously treated women as half-human. Before the war, women were clamoring for universal suffrage rights, but According to Foner, after the war, the repressive attitude changed as evident in “Eugene V. Debs's Speech” (632). This is because the womenfolk had demonstrated that their capabilities and independence measured up to men, and that they had contributed to the war in a number of ways. The political elite also were prompted to acknowledge the women effort, with President Wilson advocating for more incorporation of the American women in decision-making processes. World War I also improved racial relations in the United States. Communities such as Indians, Hispanics, and African Americans among other races were treated in a better way following their contribution toward furthering American interest during the conflict. African-Americans, for instance, served in the frontlines and did American proud despite rampant racial segregation, in which blacks fought in units exclusively comprised of the community. In a nutshell, America came out of the war a more cohesive country, than ever before, following the significant contribution of all its citizens regardless of race and gender. Works Cited Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: An American History. New York: W.W. Norton, 2006 Read More