Russia also prospered from a long awaited growth in industry. CZARS/ AUTOCRACIES During the 19th century, Russia was ruled by autocrats, or czars, who ruled with absolute power. Their individual philosophies affected the history and culture of the vast empire. Alexander I was the first czar of the 19th century. He came into power during the Napoleonic Wars, and is most remembered for his involvement in these wars and his sudden change from an active liberal ruler to a more moderate czar.
The trading companies played a significant role in triggering the Navigation Acts, but it was the acts themselves that put trade in the hands of the British. Therefore, it can be judged that the Navigation Acts were the main reason for the growth of the British Empire. The Navigation Acts were the most important aspects which not only helped, but accelerated the growth of the British Empire. The Navigation Acts which began in 1650 had four major aims in its mercantile policy, to encourage the growth of a native merchant marine fleet including colonial ships, to protect English agriculture and manufacturers from foreign competition and to make as much bullion as possible. It started off by forbidding the import of all goods, unless they were imported in English ships.
Westward Expansion There are many factors to consider when trying to decide which force had the greatest impact on the nation. Nationalism, when people hold great pride in their country, influenced heavily on the nation by bringing us closer to our neighbors and unifying us as a society. January 1815, a British fleet with 7500 troops lands near New Orleans. When the United States conquered the British, it was our nations first true look at nationalism. While this impacted our nation, the other competing forces still had a more significant impact.
Roosevelt and the Panama Canal Alfred Mahan had written in “The Influence of Sea Power upon History,” that national greatness depended on supremacy in all oceans. When Theodore Roosevelt took office his ideals agreed somewhat with Mahan’s ideas. The decision of The United States to construct a canal across Panama resulted largely from the efforts of Philippe Bunau-Varilla and William Nelson Cromwell. These two men were prominent in the Panama revolution of 1903 took on the task of finding a buyer. Thus, they conducted a lobby to convince the American leaders of the superiority of the Panama Canal route over Nicaragua because there were volcanoes there, whereas Panama did not have any volcanoes.
Imperialism set the stage for both wars. WWI began with the assassination of the Austrian archduke, Franz Ferdinand and his wife. This alone did not start the war but merely sparked tension. During the beginning of the 20th century, the strongest country in Europe was Britain. Its empire was the largest with the richest industries and strongest navy.
As noted this was an important time and takes a considerable time of examination. Public opinion as discovered plays vital role in influencing presidential decisions and generally simulates the attitude and mentality of the American public on the wars. This is of course, holds a considerable weight that pulls on the executive branch and their decisions and policy, but members of the White House and other appointees have agenda of their own. These along with many other issues are observed and considered in the studies done. Public opinion also plays a statistical importance on the outlook on the wars and is also observed from an analytical position.
Empires were expensive to build and to defend, and the growth of nationalism and imperialism led to increased military spending. By 1890 the strongest nation on the European continent was Germany, which had set up an army reserve system that drafted and trained young men. Countries alike developed this system, always relying on their navy for defense and protection. Lastly, by 1907 there were two major defense alliances in Europe. The Triple Entente, later known as the Allies, consisted of France, Britain, and Russia.
Prior to the Titanic’s demise in 1912, American society was making steady progress in the development of technology. The country was expanding in wealth and population, with many foreigners immigrating to the states in hope of finding wealth in the nation’s blooming industrial centers. The industrialization of the country made Americans become arrogant and imperious; the designers of the RMS Titanic stated, “God himself could not sink this ship.” This egotistic attitude likely led to the Titanic devastation. Because the Titanic was thought to be the “unsinkable ship,” when the tragedy was announced to the American public, many citizens did not believe that it was true. One effect of the disaster is the new safety
The effects of the war included 8.5 million deaths, higher taxes, rationing of food and other products, a propaganda war, and famine. Imperialist rivalry is considered a primary cause of war, with Europe's growing economic status and wealth, rivalries and competition for colonies among European nations were becoming more prevalent which ultimately led to unrest. Before WW1, Europe was in a state of growing prosperity and peace, it's wealth rested on its industrial strength and its domination of the rest of the world. By 1900's European powers were in control of most of Africa and Asian and also other continents, showing strong ideas of imperialism. While imperialism showcased European strength, it also revealed a basic dependency.
As a lot of Americans call it, the Spanish-American war was a splendid little war. The war caused America to gain a lot and lose very little. Even though there has been a few negative effects as the result of the war, the United States changed history by acquiring more ports, territories and by building bigger navies. American imperialism was what Americans wanted the most. They wanted to extend their political, military and economic control all over the world.