Unit 1: Domestic and Foreign Policy from 1860-1914

The predominant theme in both the domestic and foreign policy pursued by the federal government from the period 1850-1914 was that of growth. Even before 1850, with the Indian Removal Act passed by Andrew Johnson, "manifest destiny" rolled forward with the government displacing Native peoples in order to facilitate white settlement and the addition of states to the union. In 1848, with little opposition from local or national lawmakers, America waged war on Mexico to acquire its territory in North America. In keeping with the idea of growth, the primary cause of the Civil War from the Northern point of view was the preservation of the union, and during Reconstruction national politicians eagerly rebuilt the infrastructure and economic character of the South. During this war, several pieces of landmark legislation were passed that would have a massive impact on the future of the American economy, and after the war, in the "gilded era", government generally sided with big business until citizen groups and movements forced reform.

On the international stage, America was quickly becoming a superpower and legislation during this era generally reflected desire for economic and military power equal to or surpassing the industrial powers of Europe. Domestic land policies promoted the immigration of millions of people that became the backbone of America's industrial infrastructure, and at the turn of the century America fought a war with Spain, acquiring many of its Caribbean and Pacific territories. Later, president Theodore Roosevelt asserted authority over the Western Hemisphere with his Corollary, and The US supported a revolution in order to build the Panama Canal. By the eve of WWI, America was the world's premier industrial power and domestic and foreign policy legislation had prepared every step of the way, creating a superpower in the process.

Unit Essay: Building the American Economy

In order to get credit for this project you must write an essay on the following topic:

Building the American Economy

The Era from 1860-1914 was a time of rapid territorial and economic growth in the United States. Rail Road acts and establishment of Land Grant universities during the late nineteenth century paved the way for this growth, and laws regulating industry, commerce, and governing public education systems established the infrastructure for the economic superpower that the US would later become. Using the knowledge that you have gained from studying the lessons in this unit, pick three aspects of American Domestic Policy or three pieces of landmark domestic legislation and write an essay of 600 words or more that defines American Domestic Policy from 1860-1914.

Aspects of US Domestic Policy you could organize your essay around: commerce, industry, agriculture, immigration, education, settlement of the West, government

The Last Spike, Thomas Hill. Oil-on-canvas, 1881.