7.1 Context: America in the World
5 min read•january 25, 2023
Eshal Warsi
Caleb Lagerwey
Eshal Warsi
Caleb Lagerwey
The grew into its role as a world power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This growth was driven by a number of factors, including the country's vast , its rapidly expanding , and its growing population. Additionally, the played a key role in and II, which helped to establish it as a major player on the global stage. In the post-war period, the continued to assert its economic and political influence around the world, and by the mid-20th century, it had become one of the two dominant superpowers of the world, along with the .
Economy
The experienced a significant economic transformation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as it transitioned from a largely rural, agricultural economy to an urban, industrial economy. The US economy grew into a major world importer and exporter, eventually becoming the world’s biggest economy (as measured by Gross Domestic Product, or GDP) by the 1920s.
This transformation was driven by several factors, including the growth of large corporations, advances in technology and transportation, and an influx of immigrants who provided a large and growing labor force. The growth of large companies, known as , and the increasing concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few large corporations, led to the rise of , which shaped the economy of the during the 20th century.
On the other hand, the Great Depression challenged US politicians to come up with new solutions to increasing economic instability. Policymakers and politicians in the implemented a number of policies aimed at addressing the economic and social problems caused by the depression.
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal was the most significant of these policies. It introduced a number of and , as well as financial and agricultural reforms. The New Deal also expanded the role of the federal government in the economy, and established new regulatory agencies to oversee key sectors of the economy.
These policies and programs laid the foundation for the modern American welfare state and helped to redefine the goals and ideas of , which had traditionally emphasized individualism and laissez-faire economics.
Technology & Migration
Thanks to new technologies that spread faster than ever, the US changed into a , with fewer goods being made inside the home and more and more goods being “imported” from stores. Automobiles and radio made it possible for large numbers of people to access information, entertainment, and advertising on a scale that was previously unimaginable.
The economic and political changes in the world, such as the , the , and the , led to large-scale international migration, as people moved in search of better economic opportunities, political freedom, or to escape persecution. These migrations brought new cultures and diversity to the US.
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
People also migrated within the US. and migration westward and southward had a massive impact on transportation and industry.
Foreign Policy
The US grew into a dominant position militarily and politically through this time period. At the start of the period, the US was generally uninvolved in overseas events other than through trade.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the began to assert its and acquisitions in the and the . This expansion was driven by a number of factors, including economic interests, political considerations, and a desire for strategic advantage. The U.S. annexed in 1898 and acquired , and from Spain, the U.S. also acquired the , which was a significant strategic acquisition.
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
These territorial acquisitions and expansion led to heightened public debates over America's role in the world. Some Americans viewed expansion as a means of fulfilling the nation's and spreading American values and institutions to other parts of the world. Others opposed expansion, arguing that it would lead to entanglement in foreign conflicts and the erosion of American values and traditions.
The U.S. entered in 1917, and its participation played a key role in the eventual defeat of the . Despite being a huge provider of loans and military equipment, the US promptly returned to under new presidential administrations.
U.S. participation in , which lasted from 1939 to 1945, had a profound impact on American society and economy. The war effort required the mobilization of the American economy, which led to the end of the and the country's transformation into the "." Millions of Americans were drafted or volunteered to fight, and the war effort required the involvement of millions of Americans on the home front as well, including women and minorities, who participated in the war effort in unprecedented numbers.
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
The victory of the and its allies over the Axis powers in led to the emergence of the as a superpower. The U.S. played a key role in the formation of the and the establishment of the , which helped to rebuild the post-war international economy. Additionally, the U.S. had developed during the war and it was the only country in possession of those weapons. This gave the country a powerful leverage in the that followed.
The U.S. emerged from as the world's leading economic and military power, and its leadership role in the post-war period set the stage for American dominance in international affairs during the second half of the 20th century and beyond.
🎥 Watch: AP US History - Period 7 Review
Key Terms to Review (35)
American Liberalism
: This is a political ideology that advocates for civil liberties under the rule of law with an emphasis on economic freedom found in liberal democracies.Arsenal of Democracy
: A phrase used by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, describing the United States as a supplier of war materials to Allied nations fighting against Axis powers.Atomic Weapons
: Atomic weapons, also known as nuclear weapons, are explosive devices that derive their destructive force from nuclear reactions. These reactions release vast amounts of energy from relatively small amounts of matter.Bretton Woods System
: The Bretton Woods System was a monetary management system that established rules for commercial and financial relations among the world's major industrial states in the mid-20th century. It set up procedures for fixed exchange rates and created the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.Central Powers
: The Central Powers were one of two major alliances during World War I and consisted primarily of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.Cold War
: The Cold War was a period of political tension and military rivalry between two superpowers, United States and Soviet Union (1947-1991), without actual warfare but marked by economic competition, technological race (like Space Race), proxy wars, etc.Consumer Culture
: Consumer culture refers to a social arrangement where buying and consuming goods and services is not only essential but also seen as desirable for personal happiness or social status.Decolonization of Africa and Asia
: Decolonization refers to the process by which colonies became independent from their colonial rulers. In Africa and Asia, this occurred primarily after World War II as European powers weakened.Foreign Policy
: Foreign policy refers to a government's strategy in dealing with other nations. It includes decisions about diplomacy, military and economic issues.Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal
: The New Deal was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to needs for relief, reform and recovery from The Great Depression.Government-funded Public Works Projects
: These are construction projects such as highways, bridges, or parks that are financed by the government and intended for public use and benefit.Great Depression
: The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s. It began in the United States after a major fall in stock prices around September 29, 1929, and became worldwide news with the stock market crash of October 29, 1929 (known as Black Tuesday).Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
: GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced by a country in a specific time period. It's one way to measure the size and health of a country's economy.Guam
: Guam is a U.S. territory located in the western Pacific Ocean, acquired from Spain after the Spanish-American War in 1898.Hawaii
: An archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean that became an official U.S. territory in 1898 following annexation and later achieved statehood in 1959.Industrial Base
: The industrial base refers to the collective productive capacity of a country or region's industry sectors including manufacturing, mining, agriculture etc., especially as used for military purposes.Industrial Capitalism
: Industrial capitalism refers to an economic system based on industrial production or manufacturing. It emerged during the Industrial Revolution when capitalists were involved in producing and selling goods using mechanized industry.Isolationism
: Isolationism is a foreign policy approach where a nation avoids alliances with other nations and generally stays out of international political affairs.Manifest Destiny
: Manifest Destiny was a 19th-century belief that the United States was destined and divinely ordained to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean.Natural Resources
: Natural resources are materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.Pacific
: The Pacific refers to the Pacific Ocean, the largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions. In AP US History, it often relates to America's expansion and influence across this region.Panama Canal Zone
: The Panama Canal Zone was a strip of land running across Panama that contained the Panama Canal, a key maritime route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was controlled by the U.S. from 1903 to 1979.Philippines
: The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country in the Western Pacific, comprising more than 7,000 islands. It was a Spanish colony from the 16th century until it was ceded to the U.S. after the Spanish-American War in 1898.Puerto Rico
: An island located in the Caribbean Sea, it became a U.S. territory following the Spanish-American War in 1898.Russian Revolution
: The Russian Revolution refers to a period of political and social revolution across the territory of the Russian Empire, commencing in 1917 with the abolition of monarchy and concluding in 1923 with the Bolshevik establishment of the Soviet Union.Social Welfare Programs
: Social welfare programs are government initiatives designed to provide financial or material aid to individuals or groups who cannot support themselves due to certain circumstances such as poverty, unemployment, or disability.Soviet Union
: The Soviet Union was a federal socialist state in Northern Eurasia that existed from 1922 to 1991. It was nominally a union of multiple national Soviet republics; in practice its government and economy were highly centralized.Suburbanization
: Suburbanization is the process by which populations move from urban areas to suburban areas—residential communities located outside of city centers.Territorial Ambitions
: Territorial ambitions refer to a country's desire or plan to acquire more land or control over more geographical areas.Trusts
: In terms of U.S history, trusts refer to large business entities that are formed with intent to monopolize and control market share by eliminating competition through consolidation of companies.United Nations
: The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II with the aim to promote peace, security, cooperation among nations, human rights, social progress and better living standards worldwide.United States
: The United States is a federal republic composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions located in North America.Western Hemisphere
: The Western Hemisphere is a geographical term for the half of Earth which lies west of the prime meridian (which crosses Greenwich, London) and east of the antimeridian.World War I
: World War I was a major global conflict that took place primarily in Europe between 1914 and 1918. It involved many of the world's leading powers divided into two opposing alliances: the Allies (including France, Russia, and the United Kingdom) and the Central Powers (primarily Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey).World War II
: World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's nations. It was marked by significant events like the Holocaust and the use of nuclear weapons.7.1 Context: America in the World
5 min read•january 25, 2023
Eshal Warsi
Caleb Lagerwey
Eshal Warsi
Caleb Lagerwey
The grew into its role as a world power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This growth was driven by a number of factors, including the country's vast , its rapidly expanding , and its growing population. Additionally, the played a key role in and II, which helped to establish it as a major player on the global stage. In the post-war period, the continued to assert its economic and political influence around the world, and by the mid-20th century, it had become one of the two dominant superpowers of the world, along with the .
Economy
The experienced a significant economic transformation in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as it transitioned from a largely rural, agricultural economy to an urban, industrial economy. The US economy grew into a major world importer and exporter, eventually becoming the world’s biggest economy (as measured by Gross Domestic Product, or GDP) by the 1920s.
This transformation was driven by several factors, including the growth of large corporations, advances in technology and transportation, and an influx of immigrants who provided a large and growing labor force. The growth of large companies, known as , and the increasing concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few large corporations, led to the rise of , which shaped the economy of the during the 20th century.
On the other hand, the Great Depression challenged US politicians to come up with new solutions to increasing economic instability. Policymakers and politicians in the implemented a number of policies aimed at addressing the economic and social problems caused by the depression.
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal was the most significant of these policies. It introduced a number of and , as well as financial and agricultural reforms. The New Deal also expanded the role of the federal government in the economy, and established new regulatory agencies to oversee key sectors of the economy.
These policies and programs laid the foundation for the modern American welfare state and helped to redefine the goals and ideas of , which had traditionally emphasized individualism and laissez-faire economics.
Technology & Migration
Thanks to new technologies that spread faster than ever, the US changed into a , with fewer goods being made inside the home and more and more goods being “imported” from stores. Automobiles and radio made it possible for large numbers of people to access information, entertainment, and advertising on a scale that was previously unimaginable.
The economic and political changes in the world, such as the , the , and the , led to large-scale international migration, as people moved in search of better economic opportunities, political freedom, or to escape persecution. These migrations brought new cultures and diversity to the US.
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
People also migrated within the US. and migration westward and southward had a massive impact on transportation and industry.
Foreign Policy
The US grew into a dominant position militarily and politically through this time period. At the start of the period, the US was generally uninvolved in overseas events other than through trade.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the began to assert its and acquisitions in the and the . This expansion was driven by a number of factors, including economic interests, political considerations, and a desire for strategic advantage. The U.S. annexed in 1898 and acquired , and from Spain, the U.S. also acquired the , which was a significant strategic acquisition.
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
These territorial acquisitions and expansion led to heightened public debates over America's role in the world. Some Americans viewed expansion as a means of fulfilling the nation's and spreading American values and institutions to other parts of the world. Others opposed expansion, arguing that it would lead to entanglement in foreign conflicts and the erosion of American values and traditions.
The U.S. entered in 1917, and its participation played a key role in the eventual defeat of the . Despite being a huge provider of loans and military equipment, the US promptly returned to under new presidential administrations.
U.S. participation in , which lasted from 1939 to 1945, had a profound impact on American society and economy. The war effort required the mobilization of the American economy, which led to the end of the and the country's transformation into the "." Millions of Americans were drafted or volunteered to fight, and the war effort required the involvement of millions of Americans on the home front as well, including women and minorities, who participated in the war effort in unprecedented numbers.
Image Courtesy of Wikipedia
The victory of the and its allies over the Axis powers in led to the emergence of the as a superpower. The U.S. played a key role in the formation of the and the establishment of the , which helped to rebuild the post-war international economy. Additionally, the U.S. had developed during the war and it was the only country in possession of those weapons. This gave the country a powerful leverage in the that followed.
The U.S. emerged from as the world's leading economic and military power, and its leadership role in the post-war period set the stage for American dominance in international affairs during the second half of the 20th century and beyond.
🎥 Watch: AP US History - Period 7 Review
Key Terms to Review (35)
American Liberalism
: This is a political ideology that advocates for civil liberties under the rule of law with an emphasis on economic freedom found in liberal democracies.Arsenal of Democracy
: A phrase used by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, describing the United States as a supplier of war materials to Allied nations fighting against Axis powers.Atomic Weapons
: Atomic weapons, also known as nuclear weapons, are explosive devices that derive their destructive force from nuclear reactions. These reactions release vast amounts of energy from relatively small amounts of matter.Bretton Woods System
: The Bretton Woods System was a monetary management system that established rules for commercial and financial relations among the world's major industrial states in the mid-20th century. It set up procedures for fixed exchange rates and created the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank.Central Powers
: The Central Powers were one of two major alliances during World War I and consisted primarily of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria.Cold War
: The Cold War was a period of political tension and military rivalry between two superpowers, United States and Soviet Union (1947-1991), without actual warfare but marked by economic competition, technological race (like Space Race), proxy wars, etc.Consumer Culture
: Consumer culture refers to a social arrangement where buying and consuming goods and services is not only essential but also seen as desirable for personal happiness or social status.Decolonization of Africa and Asia
: Decolonization refers to the process by which colonies became independent from their colonial rulers. In Africa and Asia, this occurred primarily after World War II as European powers weakened.Foreign Policy
: Foreign policy refers to a government's strategy in dealing with other nations. It includes decisions about diplomacy, military and economic issues.Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal
: The New Deal was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to needs for relief, reform and recovery from The Great Depression.Government-funded Public Works Projects
: These are construction projects such as highways, bridges, or parks that are financed by the government and intended for public use and benefit.Great Depression
: The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s. It began in the United States after a major fall in stock prices around September 29, 1929, and became worldwide news with the stock market crash of October 29, 1929 (known as Black Tuesday).Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
: GDP is the total value of all goods and services produced by a country in a specific time period. It's one way to measure the size and health of a country's economy.Guam
: Guam is a U.S. territory located in the western Pacific Ocean, acquired from Spain after the Spanish-American War in 1898.Hawaii
: An archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean that became an official U.S. territory in 1898 following annexation and later achieved statehood in 1959.Industrial Base
: The industrial base refers to the collective productive capacity of a country or region's industry sectors including manufacturing, mining, agriculture etc., especially as used for military purposes.Industrial Capitalism
: Industrial capitalism refers to an economic system based on industrial production or manufacturing. It emerged during the Industrial Revolution when capitalists were involved in producing and selling goods using mechanized industry.Isolationism
: Isolationism is a foreign policy approach where a nation avoids alliances with other nations and generally stays out of international political affairs.Manifest Destiny
: Manifest Destiny was a 19th-century belief that the United States was destined and divinely ordained to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean.Natural Resources
: Natural resources are materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain.Pacific
: The Pacific refers to the Pacific Ocean, the largest and deepest of Earth's oceanic divisions. In AP US History, it often relates to America's expansion and influence across this region.Panama Canal Zone
: The Panama Canal Zone was a strip of land running across Panama that contained the Panama Canal, a key maritime route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was controlled by the U.S. from 1903 to 1979.Philippines
: The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country in the Western Pacific, comprising more than 7,000 islands. It was a Spanish colony from the 16th century until it was ceded to the U.S. after the Spanish-American War in 1898.Puerto Rico
: An island located in the Caribbean Sea, it became a U.S. territory following the Spanish-American War in 1898.Russian Revolution
: The Russian Revolution refers to a period of political and social revolution across the territory of the Russian Empire, commencing in 1917 with the abolition of monarchy and concluding in 1923 with the Bolshevik establishment of the Soviet Union.Social Welfare Programs
: Social welfare programs are government initiatives designed to provide financial or material aid to individuals or groups who cannot support themselves due to certain circumstances such as poverty, unemployment, or disability.Soviet Union
: The Soviet Union was a federal socialist state in Northern Eurasia that existed from 1922 to 1991. It was nominally a union of multiple national Soviet republics; in practice its government and economy were highly centralized.Suburbanization
: Suburbanization is the process by which populations move from urban areas to suburban areas—residential communities located outside of city centers.Territorial Ambitions
: Territorial ambitions refer to a country's desire or plan to acquire more land or control over more geographical areas.Trusts
: In terms of U.S history, trusts refer to large business entities that are formed with intent to monopolize and control market share by eliminating competition through consolidation of companies.United Nations
: The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945 after World War II with the aim to promote peace, security, cooperation among nations, human rights, social progress and better living standards worldwide.United States
: The United States is a federal republic composed of 50 states, a federal district, five major self-governing territories, and various possessions located in North America.Western Hemisphere
: The Western Hemisphere is a geographical term for the half of Earth which lies west of the prime meridian (which crosses Greenwich, London) and east of the antimeridian.World War I
: World War I was a major global conflict that took place primarily in Europe between 1914 and 1918. It involved many of the world's leading powers divided into two opposing alliances: the Allies (including France, Russia, and the United Kingdom) and the Central Powers (primarily Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey).World War II
: World War II was a global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving many of the world's nations. It was marked by significant events like the Holocaust and the use of nuclear weapons.
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.