Mr. Benson's APUSH Blog

Imperialism By the middle of the 1890's the American western frontier was viewed by many as being "closed". This was seen as the fulfillment of the westward expansions started under the banner of "manifest destiny". The public perception of the "closing of the west", along with the philosophy of Social Darwinism, contributed to a desire for continued expansion of American lands and the spreading of American culture. The result was a shift in US foreign policy at the end of the 19th century from a reserved, homeland concerned republic to an active imperial power. The Spanish-American War The "USS Maine" pictured here in Havana Harbor, Cuba The Spanish-American war heralded the start of the era of American Imperialism. In the shadow of the expanding empires of Europe, an America that now stretched from sea to shining sea was desiring to still grow. Causes of the Spanish-American War: Cuban Revolution  -  The Spanish suppres...

Were the founders of American industry "robber barons" or "captains of industry?" The wave of industrialism that we have been studying was often driven by a few great men known as industrialists. There can be no mistaking their motives: wealth. There is some debate, however, on the how history should portray these industrialists. Some feel that the powerful industrialists of the gilded age should be referred to as "r obber barons. " This view accentuates the negative. It portrays men like Vanderbilt and Rockefeller and Ford and cruel and ruthless businessmen who would stop at nothing to achieve great wealth. These "robber barons" were accused of exploiting workers and forcing horrible working conditions and unfair labor practices upon the laborer. Another view of the industrialist is that of  "captain of industry. " The term captain views these men as viewed ingenious and industrious leaders who transformed the America...