1. 115 years after gaining independence from Britain, the United States was an industrial & imperial power
How did this happen?

2. The United States:
The U.S. Economy: From 1790 to 1820, most Americans were small-scale farmers
But, a few early textile mills were built in New England and…
Economic development
Territorial acquisitions
Foreign policy
...Eli Whitney’s cotton gin led to a boom in southern cotton & slavery

3. The United States:
U.S. Territorial Expansion: The American population expanded across the Appalachian Mountains
Economic development
Territorial acquisitions
Foreign policy
In 1803, Jefferson doubled the size of the USA & gained control of the Mississippi River when he bought Louisiana from French Emperor Napoleon

4. The United States:
Economic development
Territorial acquisitions
Foreign policy
U.S. Foreign Policy: In these early years, the American government was committed to neutrality in regards to foreign policy

5. The United States:
The U.S. Economy: From 1820 to 1860, Southern cotton made up 60% of American exports
The North had a diverse economy based on farming textile production, & manufacturing
Western farmers were connected to Northern industry by roads, canals, & railroads

6. By 1850, the USA had all lands from the Atlantic to the Pacific
The United States:
U.S. Territorial Expansion: From 1820 to 1860, the USA claimed its “Manifest Destiny” & gained new western lands in Texas, Oregon, & the southwest
By 1850, the USA had all lands from the Atlantic to the Pacific

7. The USA remained committed to neutrality in Europe…
The United States:
U.S. Foreign Policy: In 1823, the U.S. declared a new foreign policy called the Monroe Doctrine
The USA remained committed to neutrality in Europe…
...but promised to protect the Western Hemisphere from European colonization

8. The USA became a world leader in railroads, oil, steel, & electricity
The United States:
The U.S. Economy: From 1860 to 1900, the United States experienced an industrial revolution
The USA became a world leader in railroads, oil, steel, & electricity
As America became more industrialized, it experienced a rise in urbanization & immigration

9. The United States:
U.S. Territorial Expansion: The USA expanded beyond North America & imperialized by gaining new colonies in Latin America & Asia

10. The United States:
U.S. Foreign Policy: With its industry & strong navy, the USA became the “police power” of the Western Hemisphere

11. Why did the United States imperialize?
American factories needed new sources of raw materials & markets to sell their goods
By 1890, there were no new lands in the west to expand into & Americans wanted overseas colonies

12. Why did the United States imperialize?
Americans felt the need to keep up with European imperialists
The U.S. had a modern navy & belief that it could compete with other powerful nations