Answer to Question #187419 in History for Ggg

Question

Write an essay in which you discuss how Americans’ thinking about economic freedom has changed, and has not changed, from the end of the nineteenth century (that is, from around 1900) to the end of the twentieth century (or the early twenty-first century). What key historical events or developments shaped ideas about economic freedom during this period, and how? What continuities can be identified in thinking about economic freedom during this period (and even date back to the nineteenth century)?

Answer 1

From the era of Reconstruction to the end of the 19th century, the United States underwent an economic transformation marked by the maturing of the industrial economy, the rapid expansion of big business, the development of large-scale agriculture, and the rise of national labor unions and industrial conflict.

U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America in the 19th century initially focused on excluding or limiting the military and economic influence of European powers, territorial expansion, and encouraging American commerce.

These objectives were expressed in the No Transfer Principle (1811) and the Monroe Doctrine (1823).

The 19th century saw much social change: slavery was abolished, and the First and Second Industrial Revolutions (which also overlap with the 18th and 20th centuries, respectively) led to massive urbanization and much higher levels of productivity, profit and prosperity.