Assignment 1: America’s Post-Civil War Growing Pains,

Introduction

In America the Progressive Era and the Great Depression were representing time periods of reformation and economical difficulties. Reformation was the central topic during the Progressive Era in 1895 to 1920. It represents the time of social development with fundamental and long lasting effects in the history of the United States. The Great Depression on the other hand was an economical reaction on a crushed stock market that reflected a global effect on the economy. This period represents major turning points in the history of the United States that also had an impact on our current economical and social situation. President Roosevelt, Taft and Wilson all supported the progressive spirit of reformation in the legislation and federal governmental role.

Americas Development based on the Spanish-American War

McKinley presidential time was during the Spanish-American war. He saw Hawaii as territorial advantage in order to gain a part of China. In the 1890’s America obtained Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines among its territories through the Spanish-American War of 1898. With the outbreak of the war American business owner had over 50 million invested property in Cuba and gained control over Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Profitable “Free Trade” that opened up with the beginning of the war helped the businessmen with more profit and therefore more investment. Cuba and Puerto-Rico were massive American sugar plantations with bad economical condition for the citizen. This war also represented the first step for the Americans towards the imperialism and interventionism. The process of imperialism raised America to a world power between 1890 and 1920.

Legislation in the Progressive Era

After the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, Theodor Roosevelt served the US as a president for seven-and-a-half years during the Progressive Era. Roosevelt was a leading advocate for a greater federal government with interventions...