Evolution of the American Working Class - Essay Example

In the Spanish-American war, Cuba and the Philippines were involved because these countries were colonies of Spain. American government helped fight the wars of these two countries against their colonizer which led to their victories. Having won the wars against Spain, America gained control over these countries and expanded its interest from Latin America to the Pacific. American economic interest also grew due to newfound alliance with the countries involved. It also opened doors for the Americans to trade with the other nations adjacent to these countries which mean a free market and free taxes for the American capitalists and wider international markets. American economy soared high because of these reasons and American capitalists started looking for cheap workers for their growing businesses. Import and export businesses of basic commodities such as spices, wheat corn, cotton, and other basic needs began to grow.  After the war, the middle class or working class started to come to America due to expanding businesses and industries. The migration of Filipinos and Latin Americans started to grow due to open ports between America and countries of the alliance. It has not stopped since then and became the main component of the American working class today. Before the war, the majority of the working class in America were African-American but after the war immigrant workers started to pour in from different parts of the globe. They saw America as a good opportunity to seek greener pastures and improve their lives which cannot be attained in their native country.

The Spanish-American war and the Second World War had a great impact on the American economy. A wider international market, a rise in the import-export of basic commodities, more job opportunities, and a promise of a better life were the reasons why immigrant workers started to flock to America. Aside from this American government gained so many advantages in terms of political and economic aspects. Today American working class consists of different races and ethnicity, the history of growing migration dated back to the end of the Spanish-American War and World War 2 although migration of the said races started as early as the 16th century.  American working class today caters to different fields such as medical, blue-collar jobs, the fashion industry, food sectors, education sectors, the computer industry, and the like. The involvement of America in the Spanish-American war and the Second World War has shaped its economic status in the world and its citizens as well.