American History- Final

Running Head : AMERICAN HISTORY

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In 1877 , the United States of America was reeling under the pressure and aftermath of reconstruction . Relations between the northern and the southern states had become polarized and ethnic animosity was rife America , from this period to date has gone through both smooth and turbulent times . Majority of those historical events have played a role in shaping the United States seen today

The westward migration can be traced to the period when the colonists began their settlement in

America , it continued later and for long and has been the source of many queries from many historians who have wondered what it is that drew people west . The answers lie in the immense opportunities available in the west then . The later part of the 19th century was characterized by conflicts between farmers and ranchers especially after the passing of the 1862 Homestead Act that was seeking to give land to those who were devoted to tilling it . It had taken a racial turn especially with the entrance of foreigners in the migration Americans of Africa descent were not given land in the prime territories in addition to the other marginalized groups such as Mexicans . Many of the people were hoping to try their luck in the west rather than in the rapidly expanding and industrializing East . There was over a 20 population increase by 1900

Increase in population had been fuelled by immigration of more than 9 million people from across the globe . This was unlike before where majority of immigrant were drawn from Western Europe . This resulted to a cause for alarm by most of Americans who believed that the increase in civil and in industrial strife exhibited then was as a result of these immigrants . Laws were enacted to restrict this . An example is the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 .By 1902 Chinese were indefinitely banned from immigrating to America

As far as industrialization is concerned , east was the first to industrialize . This process started with the mechanization of farming By the close of the 19th century , the United States was fourth in manufacturing but the process speeded up in the 20th century that saw it become the largest industrialized nation in the world . This process was fuelled by presidents who supported business , which accelerated wealth accumulation in the gilded age

Wealth amassed during this period would be invested heavily in the extraction of natural resources . Discovery of telephone by Graham Bell and the light bulb by Edison in 1879 was the first sign that industrialization was being felt in the households

Major figures and industrialists started to emerge in the various industries . The likes of , Morgan J .P . John , John Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie , representing the key industries such as banking , steel industry and in the oil industry

The expansion of railroad facilitated the growth of industries in America as well as the cheap labor from Chinese immigrants

From the close of the 19th century , the United States initiated...