History since 1876

Why was US geography important to turn the company into a world power

US geography was crucial in establishing it as a world power for several reasons:

1. Natural Resources: Abundant resources like coal, oil, and minerals supported industrial growth.

2. Favorable Climate: Diverse climates allowed for varied agricultural production.

3. Strategic Location: Positioned between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans facilitated trade and military movement.

4. Expansive Land: Vast territories enabled population growth and economic expansion.

5. Rivers and Lakes: Major waterways supported transportation and commerce.

These factors collectively contributed to the US's rise as a global power.

mexican-american war

Causes of the Mexican-American War

• Annexation of Texas: Texas gained independence from Mexico and was annexed by the U.S. in 1845.

• Border Disputes: Disagreements over the southern border of Texas (Rio Grande vs. Nueces River).

• Manifest Destiny: The belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America.

Effects of the Mexican-American War

• Territorial Gains: The U.S. acquired present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Ended the war and formalised territorial changes.

• Increased Tensions: Heightened sectional conflicts over slavery in new territories.

San Patricio’s Battalion

The San Patricios Battalion was a unit of Irish immigrants who fought for Mexico during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).

• Formation: Established in 1846, the battalion was composed mainly of Irish soldiers who had deserted the U.S. Army, motivated by anti-British sentiment and a desire for a better life.

• Role: They fought valiantly in several key battles, including the Battle of Churubusco, and were known for their bravery and effectiveness.

• Legacy: The battalion is remembered for its unique cultural and historical significance, symbolising solidarity against oppression and the complexities of national identity. Many members were executed after the war, viewed as traitors by the U.S. forces.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

When was it signed?

• Signed on February 2nd 1848

• Mexico lost 55% of its territory

• $15,000,000 USD for compensation

• Establishment of the boundary line between the two republics

Where was it signed?

• At villa de Guadalupe, outskirts of Mexico City

Events leading up to it

The events leading up to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) include:

1. Mexican-American War (1846-1848): Conflict arose over territorial disputes following the U.S. annexation of Texas.

2. U.S. Expansionism: The belief in Manifest Destiny fueled American desire to expand westward.

3. Skirmishes: Initial clashes, such as the Thornton Affair, escalated tensions.

4. Military Campaigns: U.S. forces captured key locations, including Mexico City.

5. Negotiations: Peace talks began, leading to the treaty's signing on February 2, 1848.

The treaty resulted in significant territorial gains for the U.S.

Indian wars

Causes

• Territory: American settles moved westward, ending up in Native American lands and thus disrupting traditional hunting and migration routes of both the Apache and Comache

• Economy and resources: The arrival of settles, ranchers and US army killed bison herds, which were the main food source of the tribes, they also competed for water in arid regions

• Cultural and Political Conflict: Apaches and Comanches had a long-standing disagreement of territory, and the US attempted to control native populations and impose treaties

• Military matters: Both the Apaches and Comanches were skilled in guerrilla warfare, and thus, went to battle, fueled by the desire to protect their way f life, families and land

Consequences

• Population Decline: The wars, along with diseases and forced relocations, reduced the Apache and Comache poulations

• Loss of land, power and authority: The conclusion of the war resulted in the forced relocation of tribes onto reservations, stripping of ancentral lands and autonomy. Both tribes lost control over vast territories in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

• Cultural disruption: The disruption of bison hunting impacted the diets, economies and cultural practices

• Forced assimilation: Apaches and Comaches were relocated and subjected to suppress their languages, religions and customs.

Filibustering and US imperialism in the 19th century

• Filibustering: Private, unauthorised military expeditions launched by US citizens to seize control of foreign territories, and spread US influence

• US imperialism: was driven by Manifest Destiny and the desire for territory, filibusters like william walker attempted to take over reagions like Nicaragua and parts of Mexico. Whilst not officially sancioned by the US government, these actions reflected the push for american dominance in the western hemisphere.

  Spanish-American war in 1898

• Cuban independence: drew US attention due to economic interests and spanish brutality

• US victory: Us markets emergence as global power, gains territories of puerto rico, guam and philippines, cuba becomes US controlled and protected state

• imperialism: the war solidified the US as an imperial power with overseas colonies, fuelling expansion in the pacific and caribbean

19th century happenings

• Mexican cession (1848) - fierce debates ensured about whether slavery should be permitted after mexico gives up territory

• Internal slave trade (1 in 3 children would be expected to be sold by the age of 10)

• The cotton boom - Eli Whithey’s gin allowed for the processing of 50lbs of cottoning in 10 hours instead of 10 hours to clear 1lb

• Outbreak of the civil war (1861) - April 1865 General Robert E. Lee and army surrender to Ulysses S. Grant, civil war ends on may 13 1865.

Implications of building Pana Canal

1. Economic Growth: Facilitated trade by connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, reducing shipping time and costs.

2. Geopolitical Influence: Enhanced U.S. presence in Central America and strengthened its strategic military position.

3. Environmental Impact: Altered local ecosystems and affected biodiversity due to construction and operation.

4. Social Changes: Led to population shifts and changes in labor dynamics in the region.

5. Cultural Exchange: Increased interaction between different cultures and economies, fostering globalisation.

The Gilded Age

The Gilded Age (1870s-1900) was a period of rapid economic growth, industrialization, and social change in America, featuring railroad expansion, the rise of big businesses, and increased immigration. However, it also revealed social inequalities, political corruption, and labor unrest, with "gilded" indicating a facade of prosperity hiding deeper problems.

gilding is a decorative tequinique of applying thin leaves of gold onto something

Second Industrial Revolution

• US in 1st productivity

• Coal vs waterpower (steam machines)

• Scale of business: family owned, independent and farms turn into big corporations

causes

• natural resources

• new technology

• immigration

• railroad expansion

• new business practices

conditions

• exploitation

• pression

• security = low

more specific

Citites

• Growth: due to factories, railroads and manufacturing: NYC, chicago, pittsburgh became industrial hubs

• Immigration: europeans looking for jobs, contributing to population gain

• Innovation: cities were centers of technological progress, new transportation and skyscrapers transforming urban life

Rural area

• Agricultural economy: rural areas depended on agriculture, small farms struggling against the large-scale prices

• Population decline: many moved to cities for better economic opportunities

• Agricultural struggles: farmers faced economic hardships due to high railroad rates, debt and falling crop prices, leading to movements advocating for railroad regulation

• Lag: Rural regions lagged behind cities in terms of infrastructure and technological advancements: electricity, paved roads

Chinese exclusion act in 1882

• california gold rush!

• first wave of immigrants during the gold rush - 1849

• before mexicans and latinos, chinese were the expendable

• this is in the gilded age

effects in canada

• alternative route for chinese people to get to the US

• influx of immigrants lead to anti-chinese sentiment like in the US

• harsh working conditions

effects in mexico

• also an alternative route

• baja california and sonora, where they worked in agriculture, construction and as merchants

• mexican government welcomed the chinese

why did they take these alternative routes?

• because the US applied laws in order to prevent chinese people from immigrating:

  • 1875 page act: prohibited the entry to prostitutes and worker under contract

  • 1882 chinese exclusion act: approved on may 06 by president Chester A. Arthur

  • 1892 geary act: required chinese residents to carry special documentation or they would be deported

US expansionism to the west and into mexican nothern territory

Exploitment of silver or copper mines

• discovery of precious metals, particulary silver and copper, made the US want to expand west, including mexican territories. the california gold rush setting the standard for these metals

• they found a lot of silver and copper in new mexico and arizona, and hired mexican miners (payed them very little though)

• economic boom

Land Speculation

• aacquisition of mexican territory allowed all this economic growth

• mexican landowners lost their lands through legal challengers or were forced to sell at low prices

• resulted in displacement of mexican communities but also concentrated land ownership at the hands of wealthy american elites, who made much profit

US colonies

• alaska - 1867

• hawaii - 1893

  • US needed a naval station to control the pacific ocean, hawaii was the perfect place (pearl harbour)

• philipines - 1898

• cuba - 1898

• puerto rico - added as territory

• the panama canal - 1904-1914

during the gilded age, the US invested heavily in new navy ships and weaponry

expansionism implied contending int he world economy

argument questions

what are the labour conditions of the 19th century gilded age?

During the 19th century Gilded Age, labor conditions were harsh, with workers facing 10-16 hour days, low wages, and unsafe environments. Child labor was prevalent, and protections were minimal. In response, strikes and labor movements emerged, demanding better pay, shorter hours, and safer workplaces.

how did poor children live in industralised cities?

During the Gilded Age, poor children in industrial cities lived in overcrowded tenements with poor sanitation and worked long hours in factories or as street vendors under dangerous conditions. Limited education and prevalent child labor led to a lack of childhood experiences and poor health. Social reform movements arose to advocate for better working conditions and education.

how easy was it to move west searching for new land and life in the gilded age?

During the Gilded Age (1870-1900), westward movement was driven by:

influencing factors

• Transportation: Railroads enhanced travel speed and access.

• Homestead Act (1862): Offered land to settlers, promoting migration.

• Economic Opportunities: Gold rushes and farming attracted settlers.

challenges

• Native American Conflicts: Tensions and violence were common.

• Harsh Conditions: Settlers endured severe weather, tough terrain, and isolation.

In summary, while opportunities were plentiful, significant challenges remained.