Basically, the country needed to become an economic and military power. It was a long process that spanned at least 300 years. First, the guys “put the house in order”, resolving internal political and economic conflicts, unifying American society and expanding its territory.
At the same time, different sectors of society engaged to make the country a favorable environment for capitalism. The basic recipe was to encourage private initiative (helping entrepreneurs who wanted to open their own businesses, for example) and ensure that the government had little involvement in the economy (the market, by the law of supply and demand, would regulate the ups and downs of economic).
A third change took place in the field of customs: to “dominate” the world, American society had to overcome its historical isolationism – the tendency not to get involved in international armed conflicts. By the end of the 19th century, the tripod of Yankee growth was in place. Economic expansion required the search for new markets, which led the United States to war with Spain in 1898, the first of many international conflicts of Uncle Sam.
“War and economic growth are almost inseparable in the US imperialist adventure”, says José Otávio Nogueira Guimarães, historian at the University of Brasília. As you can see in the timeline below, the “blood + money” formula was repeated many times, becoming decisive in consolidating and keeping Americans on top of the world.
money and grenade
Economic strength and military victories put Uncle Sam in charge of the planet
1776
The history of American rule begins with the country’s independence. Fleeing European settlers make their way east of what would become U.S. mainland, putting the “work ethic” of vigorous capitalism into practice.
1865
The Civil War (1861-1865) destroyed the southern states of the country, both slave and agrarian. But the northern states, winners, readmit the southern ones into the union of American states and invest heavily to recover the economy
1876
Last major war by the US Army against indigenous nations that opposed the colonization of their lands. The defeat of the Indians stimulated population expansion towards the west, with new territories open to agriculture and livestock
1898
The United States supports Cuba’s independence and goes to war with the Spanish. With a powerful fleet of warships, the Americans win and conquer former Spanish colonies such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines
late 19th century
The creation of a wide railway network and the removal of Indians to reserves led to a drastic increase in the area of cultivated land. Supported by mechanization, crop productivity explodes
Early 20th century
A huge wave of immigration brings more than 35 million Europeans to the United States. A plentiful and cheap workforce contributes to accelerating economic vigor
1917
The United States abandons neutrality in World War I and enters the conflict. On the battlefields of Europe, American divisions play an important role in victory, consolidating the country’s military prestige.
1941
At a decisive moment in the conflict, the Americans enter World War II. Support is vital to Allied triumph, and the conversion of American industry to war results in important technological and economic advances.
From 1946
American companies are boosted with the transfer of military technologies and with the opening of the European market in the reconstruction of the continent. From there, most historians have no qualms in saying that the United States is the world’s only superpower.
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