The Role of Territorial Expansion, Liberalism, and Racism in the United States History - Essay Example

All U.S Citizens are governed by the Constitution of the United States. The main achievements of the Government of the day were the passing of a Tariff on Imports, which would provide 90% of the Government's Revenue. Subsequently, Federal Courts were created to dispense justice to all the citizens of the country. In 1812, the U.S was forced into a war with Britain, in order to defend its sovereignty, western settlements and maritime rights.

The year 1815 is very important in American History. Prior to that American History was closely related to that of Europe. With Napoleon's defeat and the success of the Vienna Congress in 1815, Europe saw the emergence of a long period of peace. American leaders of this era focused mainly on internal development rather than on European Affairs. The advent of the year 1830 saw the Federal Government resettling some of its people to new lands on the far side of the Mississippi. Railroad connections to the East were completed by the year 1860 and the North - West territory was explored and inhabited by migrants from the North - Eastern States.

Liberalism connotes an attitude or movement that has as its basic concern, the development of personal freedom and social progress. Opposition to the evil of Racism was dividing the people of America. In 1849 the case Roberts V. City of Boston (1849), took place in Massachusetts. This case was the first legal challenge to Racism. The decision in this case though favourable to Racism, had the positive effect of sharply dividing public opinion vis--vis slavery and thus was one of the important factors instrumental in bringing about The Civil War of 1861.

George Washington became the first president of America in 1789. American life was infused with equality and national rights. However, from 1789 itself it was evident that a consensus on the abolition of slavery would sharply divide the States of the Union. The congressional representatives made twelve amendments to the Constitution of America. However, only ten of these amendments were ratified by the states. This then became the Bill of Rights. Abraham Lincoln heading an anti-slavery party was elected the President of America in 1860.

The crisis concerning control of economic power was intensified during this period. Unhampered private enterprise without mercantilist restrictions was advocated by the economic liberals. State Authority was viewed with hostility by the champions of Economic Liberalism. This resulted in the development of Industrial Capitalism in the 19th Century. Initially, the economy was farm-based, with the main cash crops being tobacco and cotton; but later on, the economy's concentration was on the industrial sector.

In 1787 itself, it became evident that some of the states would oppose the abolition of slavery tooth and nail. North America upheld the abolition of slavery, whereas the South was adamantly in favour of slavery. Such Southern States supported slavery, seceded from the Union in 1860, the Union did not recognize this secession and this culminated in the American Civil War of 1861. The war was won by the Union and the Confederates lost. Slavery was thus abolished finally in the United States of America.