America begin in 1750 in North America. It's been 150 years since settlers from Western Europe, mostly fleeing poverty, famine, or religious and political persecution, first arrived on the continent. Their arrival came at the expense of millions of native Americans who lived there for thousands of years. On the East , Great Britain has established colonies . The northern regions depend mainly on fishing and trade, the climate of south is ideal for growing products such as tobacco, rice and cotton.
Rich landowners - called the Planters - seize vast territories that they exploit by buying slaves from Africa. Further west, the Appalachian mountains forma natural boundary. Tensions rise between the French and British colonies. When the Seven Years’ War breaks out in Europe, Britain dominates and takes hold of New France. Native American tribes living there unite to demand the departure of the British of their own state. the British government hurriedly carves out an Indian reservation between the Appalachians, the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes.
This does not please the colonists who wanted to seize the opportunity to extend their territories to the west. In addition, war proves costly for Britain. The country expects its colonies to repay part of its debts through new taxes, which further angers the settlers. In Boston, in protest of taxes on tea, colonists disguised as Native Americans climb on board British East India Company ships and throw out its tea cargo into the ocean. in Philadelphia 12 colonies gather to organize the First Continental Congress. They decide to boycott British goods.
The following year, the War of Independence breaks out, pitting the insurgents -- also called the patriots -- against the British and its loyalists. On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress proclaims the independence of the United States of America. France sees an opportunity to avenge its defeat in the Seven Years' War. Having invested heavily inits military fleet, the country hasthe means to compete withthe Royal Navy. France allies with the patriots. Spain andthe United Provinces of the Netherlands,in turn, goto war against Great Britain. In 1783, the patriots prevail, forcing Britainto recognize the independence of the country. TheUnited States receives territories until Mississippi, whileSpain seizes Florida. This marks the firsttime a Europeancolony gains independence.
The United States adopts a constitution based ona strict separation of powers. The legislative power formed by Congress passes laws and budgets, the judiciary with the Supreme Court upholds the constitution, andfinally there is the executive power with the US president, the head of government. On the other hand, the 13states retain sovereignty withtheir own constitution and governor. Itwas decided to build the new capital, Washington,along the Potomac River. In the West, each newterritory with at least60,000 free citizens would beallowed to form a newstate equal to the others. Pioneers setoff to relocate there, pushing back Amerindian tribes further west of the Mississippi River. In1800, France obtained Louisiana from Spain inexchange for the kingdom of Etruria. But it proves difficult to protect this vast,far-away & relatively lessknown territory. Fearing the loss of Louisiana to the United Kingdom in war, France decides to sell the region to the United States. Congress then funds expeditions toexplore and reach the PacificOcean. In Europe, France and the UK clash again.
The United States first tries to remain neutral,butfollowing tensions with Britain, enters the war. It fails ina bid to invade thecolony of Canada, as a British maritime raid reaches Washington and burns the city. At the end of the war, theUnited States abandons its ambitions in the north and focuses on the south where the Spanish Empire is in decline. A military incursion in Florida allows after negotiations the annexation of the territory. In the West, Oregon is shared with the United Kingdom. Eastof the Mississippi, five Amerindian tribes are adapted to the settlers' sedentary and agrarian lifestyle, but Congress nevertheless decides to take over the land and pushes the natives to a reserve westof the Mississippi. Thousands dieof exhaustion on the way. In Mexico, Texas, whichis populated mainly by settlers from the UnitedStates, declares its independence.
After awar, the Republicof Texas is created in1845 is annexed to the UnitedStates. But as the border ispoorly defined, both countries are atwar. The UnitedStates prevails and takes the opportunity toannex NewMexico and California, where thediscovery ofgold causes a rush thatattracts hundreds of thousands of pioneers ofall origins. With theand route proving dangerous, private funds are invested inthe construction ofa railway in Panama. The state of California is admitted, which does not have slavery. Southern statesare largely agrarian, and haveslavery; while Northern statesare industrial and abolitionist. Both sides wishto extend their model tothe newwestern states, causing thegap between them to widen. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln, who is hostile toslavery, is elected president of the country. In response, southern states secede from theUnited States one by one and band together to proclaim the Confederate States of America. Then begins the Civil War which pits the Unionistsof the North against the Confederates of the South. The North sets up a maritime blockade on theAtlantic coast, cutting out any potential support from Europe and blocking cotton exports. In 1865, the North prevails and takes theopportunity to impose its policies. Slavery is abolished, and 3.5 million slavesare freed. But African-Americans are now victims of segregationand racism, especially through the emergence of Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization. Many migrate to the North, while others moveto cities. The Russian Empire fears losing Alaska toBritain, so chooses to sell the territory to the United States. To accelerate its conquest of the West, the government finances the construction of transcontinental railway lines. In the center of the country, the inventionof new machinery allows intensive agriculture. Vast plantations of wheat, corn and largepastures are set up at the expense of the last 250,000 Amerindians who are kept on reserves. On the other hand, the rich soil allows rapiddevelopment of industry.
The old continent, Europe, now views the UnitedStates as an El Dorado. Fleeing poverty and religious persecution,many Southern and Eastern Europeans migrate to the United States where they work as cheaplabor. But the economic boom only benefits a minority. An elite group of industrialists grows richquickly by establishing monopolies in sectors such as steel, railways, oil and banks atthe expense of workers and peasants, including women and children working in harsh conditions. Strikes and protests erupt demanding betterconditions, but these are often met with violence by private militias or the National Guard. While European powers colonize a large partof the world, the United States also looks to project its power on the internationalscene. While annexing Hawaii in the middle of thePacific, the country turns to Cuba where there is a revolt against the Spanish. The United States supports Cuban independentists.
After the mysterious explosion of a US Navyship in the port of Havana, war breaks out between Spain and the United States. The United States wins, obtains the independence of Cuba and seizes Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. The country thus becomes a colonial power. In Colombia, a French company begins constructionof a canal that would connect the two oceans, greatly shortening the journey between theUS East and west Coast. The UnitedStates buysthe project and thenintervenes tosupport the independence of Panama. In return, the new government of Panama offersthe United States a strip of land, which helps complete the construction of the canal, inaugurated in 1914.
In Europe, World War I begins. With workers and peasants onthe frontlines,industry onthe continent slowsdown. The US industry takes advantage ofthis and despite thecountry’s neutrality inthe war sells on credit ammunition, food, clothesand automobiles tothe Entente countries. In response, Germany tries to impose a maritimeblockade by sinking merchant ships in British waters. In 1917, a German telegram destined for Mexicois intercepted, proposing a military alliance against the United States. This pushes the United States to go to waron the side of the Entente, and 2 million soldiers are sent to European fronts. 116,000 soldiers lose their lives.
After the victory of the Entente, Europe findsitself indebted to the United States. The economy of the US prospers. In factories, improvements in the assemblyline cause production to skyrocket and decrease prices. The rise in purchasing power and credit resultsin a boom for the sale of cars, all kinds of appliances, and bank shares. Hollywood becomes a major industry with globalinfluence. Thanks to the sale of radios, music genressuch as jazz become popular. In New York mainly, night clubs open, stimulatingthe sale of alcohol. The more conservative government tries tostem the phenomenon by voting for prohibition, forbidding the production, transport or saleof alcohol. In response, thousands of speakeasies springup throughout the country. Mafia networks seize the market and get richquickly. Meanwhile, the South misses out on this waveof prosperity. Falling prices for agricultural products plungethe region into poverty. The Ku Klux Klan comes back into prominence, this time also targeting Catholics, Jews and immigrants in addition to African-Americans. The organization reaches 5 million members,and is then banned after several lynching episodes. In 1929, the Wall Street Stock Market crashtakes place. The US economy collapses. In a few short years, a string of bankruptciesof companies and banks pushes a quarter of the active population into unemployment. Prohibition is lifted, and steps are taken to try to revive the economy and improve working conditions.
In Europe, World War II breaks out. TheUnited States, although officially neutral,prepares forwar by reinstating military service. In addition, the country sells arms mainlyto the United Kingdom and the USSR. Inthe Pacific Ocean, in orderto curb theexpansion of imperialist Japanallied to NaziGermany, the United States imposes upon thecountry an embargo on steel and oil. In response, Japan launches a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, causing the United States to enter the war. The country secretly embarks upon a researchprogram to create the atomic bomb. In 1945, the Allies overcome Germany. The USSR and the United States then uniteagainst Japan. A ground invasion by the Soviets and the twoatomic bombs dropped by the United States on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki forceJapan to surrender. At the end of the war, the United States supportsthe creation of the United Nations whose primary role is to maintain peace and security inthe world. Europe finds itself in ruins and is exhaustedby war. The United States and the USSR emerge as thetwo great world powers.
After World War II, the USSR and the UnitedStates try and peddle their influence in Europe. The United States implements the MarshallPlan, while the Soviet Union supports pro-communist governments in Eastern countries. The old continent is found divided by theIron Curtain. The USSR and the United States engage in a cold war that is an arms race without direct confrontation. The US, largely spared the ravages of waron its territory, has an industrial, economic and military advantage. Inside the country, federal officials sympatheticto communist ideas are dismissed.
Hollywood is also used to churn out anti-communistpropaganda. On the global arena, the country employs aninterventionist policy, aimed at stemming at all costs the spread of communism. The US intervenes in Greece, China, and engagesits military in Korea and Vietnam. The Soviet Union, for its part, invests heavilyto catch up with the US.
After developing atomic weapons of its own,it becomes the first country to send a satellite into orbit, and further outdoes itself bysending the first man into space. TheUnited States then launches the Apolloprogram which aims tosend the first astronaut tothe Moon. In Cuba, an attempt to overthrow the new communistgovernment fails. The Soviet Union takes advantage to ally withthe country, and installs nuclear missiles on its territory, pointed at the United States. Tensions build to a point where it seemeda third world war was imminent. However, anaccord is reached between thetwo world powers, resulting inthe USSR withdrawing fromCuba. Within thecountry, more and more civil rightsmovements gain momentum, forcing the government to review its social policies.
African-Americans begin non-violent actionsto combat segregation. More and more women enter the workforce anddemand equal pay. Native Americans also fight for better conditions. Moreover, with the US at war in Vietnam, studentsand hippie pacifist movements call for peace. In 1969, the country sends the first man tothe moon. Worldwide, millions of viewers watch the eventlive on their television. On the global arena, the United States triesto ease tensions. It begins diplomatic rapprochement withChina,and signs agreements withthe USSR to limit theglobal arms race. In the Middle East, the US supports Israelin the Yom Kippur War, for which it is then subject to an oil embargo imposed by OPEC countries. In Vietnam, after negotiations, the UnitedStates withdraws their army.
African-Americans begin non-violent actionsto combat segregation. More and more women enter the workforce anddemand equal pay. Native Americans also fight for better conditions. Moreover, with the US at war in Vietnam, studentsand hippie pacifist movements call for peace. In 1969, the country sends the first man tothe moon. Worldwide, millions of viewers watch the eventlive on their television. On the global arena, the United States triesto ease tensions. It begins diplomatic rapprochement with China,and signs agreements with the USSR to limit the worldwide race . In the Middle East, the US supports Israelin the Yom Kippur War, for which it is then subject to an oil embargo imposed by OPEC countries. In Vietnam, after negotiations, the UnitedStates withdraws their army.
The United States emerges as the only majorworld power. Domestically, the population involves moreinvestment within the fight against poverty, crime, gangs and medicines . However, the US continues to primarily focuson its foreign policy, showing an apparent willingness to become the world's policeman of sorts. When Iraq invades Kuwait, which then held9% of the known oil reserves in the world, the United States forms a coalition and neutralizesthe Iraqi army. The US then establishes an inventory of nations considered as rogue and threatening global peace and stability. These nations are subjected to blockades andembargoes. Meanwhile, the military presence of an allyof Israel in the Middle East bothers radical Islamists, including the terrorist group AlQaeda headed by Osama bin Laden, who is a former ally from the Afghan war. US facilities and assets around the worldare targeted by terrorist attacks.
On 9/11 , 2001, the us becomesthe victim of a large-scale surprise attack on its territory. Terrorism thus becomes the new enemy of thecountry. But it proves harder to fight thiswar as terrorist organizations operate discreetly in mobile networks borderless . Having launched a war against the Talibanin Afghanistan, the US hardens its stance against North Korea , Iran and Iraq, which it considers a part of an “Axis of Evil”. a replacement war is launched against Iraq, but UStroops - after quickly overthrowing the govt - find themselves fighting against severalterrorist groups within the region.
In 2007, the subprime mortgage shock, followedby the financial crisis plunges the worldwide economy into turmoil. The country tries to revive its economy, amongother measures, by boosting the extraction of oil on its territory. Today the interventionist policy of the countryis increasingly countered by rising powers like Russia and China. The us , however, remains the mostpowerful economy and military within the world.
Hello, my name is Sanjib kumar biswas. I'm a 29 year old self-employed, history lover.
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