The Role of Technology at the End of Isolation of Americans - Case Study Example

End of Physical and Intellectual Isolation of Americans: The Role of Technology End of Physical and Intellectual Isolation of Americans: The Role of Technology Elements of isolationism are to a large extent prevalent in the history of the USA. Olson (2002) argues that isolationism was the supreme strategy in foreign relations, mainly reigning during the period between 1789 and 1947. Isolation of Americans followed a number of patterns, one of them being physical. Here, isolation hegemony was promoted by USA’s separation by two vast oceans from principal European powers alongside abundance of natural resources and militarily weak neighbors. Intellectual considerations of American isolation revolve around the limited American contribution to significant strides made in science and philosophy especially in Europe during the 19th century. However, an end to this isolation occurred along the timeline of American history due to a number of reasons including technological, political, military, cultural, and societal factors. This study will focus on the role of technology in ending the physical and intellectual isolation of Americans from the rest of the world. This will be done through analyzing both radical and gradual impacts of technology in ending this isolation by studying the period beginning 1865 to date. The guiding thesis is that technology played a significant part in ending American isolation through influencing the economic, military and culture considerations that characterize the end of isolationism. Technology, Economics and the end of Isolation of Americans One of the ways through which technology has historically contributed to the end of isolation of Americans is through the influence of American technology on the global economy. The first discussion for this stems from the American aspect of the Agrarian revolution in the mid-19th Century. One of the defining characteristics of this revolution in agriculture was the significant role played by technology from earlier years and during this period. Diffusion of new technologies into applied farm machinery is one of the highlights of the agrarian revolution. Technologies that had set the basis for the agricultural revolution include Eli Whitney’s cotton gin that markedly improved cotton production. Turnpikes, canals and railroads had also enhanced productivity per acre of land (Olson, 2002). Some of the most influential technologies applied during actual agrarian revolution range from the advent of horse-drawn to the multiple generations of ploughs, reapers, threshers, seed equipment and mowers. Carstensein and Rothstein (2001) argue that there s a strong link between the expansion of technologically-driven agriculture and mid-western industrialization. The two authors further state that innovation and increased diffusion of technology also played a significant role in growth of the market system, westward expansion and relative scarcity of labor that has continued to be the case even in modern times. The considerations established from this analysis of the role of technology in the agrarian revolution highlight the significant role that technology had in growth of the economy, which in extension was influential globally, direct and subtle effects of which contributed to end of American isolation. The direct effects include immigration from across the world to meet the labor shortages and thus decreasing isolation. The subtle effects include the long term effects of the agricultural expansion as exemplified by the 1942-1964 Bracero Program which allowed Mexican nationals to temporarily work in agricultural fields in the U.S following laws and diplomatic agreements between the U.S and Mexico (Mize and Swords, 2010). The revolution impacted global economy and started a trend of American interaction with the rest of the world that is present even today, thus played a significant role in ending American isolation. The other aspect through which the role of technology in influencing an economic end to American isolation can be discerned is in terms of the industrial revolution. This is closely related to the agrarian revolution but significantly different. The mid to late 19th century and early 20th century was a period characterized by expansion in factory-based manufacturing that was the core of the industrial revolution. For instance, an aspect of the industrial revolution that can be used to exemplify the role of technology is in the automobile manufacture industry car-making had been the preserve of Europe during its formative years in the late 19th century (Kaltenbach et al., 2006). This however changed from the 20th century henceforth with most of the milestones in the development of the car were laid by American engineers, entrepreneurial minds and executives, with some of the notable figures including Henry Ford and William Crapo Dunant. The role played by technology in driving the industrial revolution can be related to the end of isolation of Americans in a similar way to its role in the agrarian revolution. Kim (2007) argues states that the current state of USA as melting point from all over the world significantly stems from the industrial revolution. The 19th and early 20th century saw America develop into a nation of immigrants 33 million individuals arriving. Immigrants from the European continent arrived in large and steady numbers until the 1921 Emergency Quota Act. Although immigration into the USA has always remained high, there is no time in history in which it exceeds the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution thus had beneficial impacts in setting the economic position of the USA in terms of global considerations alongside being the main point of immigration globally. Specifically, the widespread immigration from Europe helped ease of isolationism, as can be seen by its increase after the 1921 Emergency Quota Act up to the late 1940s (Kennedy, 2002). In contemporary terms, the role of technology in determining US inclusion in global affairs has never been greater. Schacht (2010) argues that there is an on-going interest in the pace and technological advancement in the USA due to its significant role in the nation’s economic growth, productivity and international competitiveness. This is exemplified by the congressional attention that technological development receives in the USA. Besides, technology continues to define globalization, with firms from the USA such as Apple and numerous others developing into modern day global brands. Thus, regeneration of American isolationism to its historical levels seems virtually impossible. Technology, Militarism and the end of Isolation of Americans Another aspect through which the role of technology in ending isolation of Americans is discernible is in its contribution to American global militarism. Technology plays a crucial role especially in breaking the pre-World War II near severe isolationism. This discussion will explore specific technological advancements and application by the USA during and after World War II and other wars (helicopter, missiles), the Cold War (rockets and space technology) and finally in the contemporary world (information technology in militarism). This will be followed by a discussion of how such technologies have impacted American isolation. The possible entry of the USA into the World War II prompted military action strategists to seek procurement of new equipment, one of which was the helicopter. Hence, the most celebrated advancements of the helicopter in terms of military use occurred in the USA especially considering that efforts such as those of the Soviet Union were instead hampered by the occurrence of war (McGowen, 2005). For instance, the XR-4 was of particular importance to the USA in World War II as it weighed on 2700 pounds and could fly at a height of 5000 feet at a speed of 70 mph. The first uses of helicopters in the war included carriage of light freight and mail and for humanitarian aid supplies. By 1944, helicopters were being used for combat rescue and evacuation of air soldiers and wounded soldiers. Missile technology (cruise and ballistic) was developed further by the USA post-World War II. One of the ways that use of technology in militarism has impacted isolation of Americans is in terms of the USA and her allies bearing superior weaponry and thus engaging in war rather than desisting as would be the case in isolationism. The fact that American strategy and warfare tactics have remained largely the same over decades as depicted in Vietnam and Afghanistan wars (Said, 2001), while the USA has remained a military power over the years indicates the importance of bearing better warfare technology. The helicopters helped change the course of war despite similar strategies being used as can be seen in increased importance of military airpower in supplementing ground fire power and their impact on synchronizing ground and air efforts. The USA has used cruise missiles in Iraq, Sudan, Afghanistan and Yugoslavia. Information technology, for instance in computer-guided launch and targeting of missiles alongside effective logistics and tracking in warfare is also at the disposal of the USA. Technology thus provides the USA with military might on a global scale and thus determines the nation’s role and involvement in global affairs, effectively ending isolationism. Another aspect through which the role of technology in military considerations has influenced American isolation is clear in the Cold War. The technological aspects here included actual and perceived development of warfare technology between the USA and USSR. For instance, the race to space technology is a direct result of technological military competition. After the World War II, both the USSR and USA retained German missile developers in research and development in exchange for immunity to war crime punishments. The German missile scientists are responsible for development of rocket technology that was the basis of sending humans to space and the moon during the mid 20th century. Another aspect of technology and the Cold War that saw the USA being involved in global affairs was in terms of arms race. The USA and the Soviet Union both developed missile warfare technology further post-World War II. Missiles- especially intercontinental ballistic ones- characterized a significant portion of the arms race in the Cold War with the USA and Soviet Union. Both nations built missile technology that could travel over thousands of miles in space and strike their targets with accuracy (US Centennial of Flight Commission, 2011). Here, technology plays a pivotal military role in the end of isolation of the USA from global affairs. This is discernible during the World War II, the Cold WAR and several other wars in which USA has engaged. Besides, technology plays a crucial role in maintaining the global power balance involving the USA as it has access to arguably the best military technology. Technology, Cultural Considerations and the end of Isolation of Americans Another aspect through which an end to American physical and intellectual isolation has occurred is through the role of technology in cultural transfer between America and the rest of the world. This integrates the information age in this discussion, where the central role played by information and communication technology (ICT) and the internet is discerned. According to Hemerking (2005), technology defines the post-modern era of globalization in which there is high intensity global interactions of people and exchange of products and information. Emergence of a worldwide standardized culture is currently an exciting phenomenon as exemplified by increased standardization in international marketing. Charles and Hall (2009) support this view, arguing that technology provides an avenue for cultural production as exemplified in music, film-making, literature and visual arts. In the discussion of the cultural exchange promoted by technology, it must be appreciated that the USA is at the forefront of ICT and internet use and consumption. In this case, American culture is thus generated, exchanged and transferred all across the world as can be seen in the spread of American culture in many countries in the world. Similarly, Americans have access to information from all over the world which ultimately allows for cultural exchange and thus an end to isolation of Americans. Conclusion Isolation is evidently a common aspect of American history. Technology has played a significant role in bringing an end to physical and intellectual isolation of Americans from the rest of the world. This is established through an analysis of the role of technology in economic, military and cultural aspects in the timeline of American history. This discussion confirms the thesis that the contribution of technology to the end of isolation of Americans has been both direct and subtle, through its role in aspects such as global economics, militarism and cultural exchange. References American History (2011). 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Consuming Mexican labor: From the Bracero Program to NAFTA. UTP: Ontario. Olson, S. (2002). The encyclopedia of the industrial revolution in America. Greenwood: USA. Said, M. K. (2001). Missile proliferation in the Middle East: A regional perspective. The Middle East. 2, 49-61. Schacht, W. H. (2010). Industrial competitiveness and technological advancement: Debate over government policy. CRS: USA. US Centennial of Flight Commission (2011). Missiles and rockets in warfare. Retrieved 15 December 2011 from www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Air_Power/Missiles/AP29.htm Appendix Figure a) Prospective Bracero Mexicans being registered to work in US farms b) Braceros at work in a US farm. Read More