Changes

Transportation improved over time.  In 1817, how long do you think it took for freight to travel from Cincinnati to New York City?  A total of 52 days was required.  How would you have traveled it?  Take the Ohio River to Pittsburgh, then by wagon to Philadelphia, and then by wagon and river to New York City.  Now, how long would the same trip take in 1845?  Only 28 days: by canal across Ohio to Lake Erie, then the Erie Canal to the Hudson River, which flows to New York City.

Transportation improved over time.  In 1817, how long do you think it took for freight to travel from Cincinnati to New York City?  A total of 52 days was required.  How would you have traveled it?  Take the Ohio River to Pittsburgh, then by wagon to Philadelphia, and then by wagon and river to New York City.  Now, how long would the same trip take in 1845?  Only 28 days: by canal across Ohio to Lake Erie, then the Erie Canal to the Hudson River, which flows to New York City.

Then how long would that shipment take in 1860?  Only 6-8 days, using the Erie Railroad and connecting lines.  How long would it take today?  Only one day by truck over federal highways, like Route 80.

Then how long would that shipment take in 1860?  Only 6-8 days, using the Erie Railroad and connecting lines.  How long would it take today?  Only one day by truck over federal highways, like Route 80; perhaps only two hours by airplane.

But the addition of new states to the United States does not tell the whole story of the American territory.  What else needs to be told?  Imperialism is a controversial part of our history from late 1893 (when we installed an American to run Hawaii) through 1914 (when we completed the Panama Canal).  The presidents most responsible for imperialism were William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt (who also established the national park system and engaged in "trust-busting" actions to break up large business monopolies).   

But the addition of new states to the United States does not tell the whole story of the American territory.  What else needs to be told?  Imperialism is a controversial part of our history from late 1893 (when we installed an American to run Hawaii) through 1914 (when we completed the Panama Canal).  The presidents most responsible for imperialism were William McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt (who also established the national park system and engaged in "trust-busting" actions to break up large business monopolies).   

Our imperialism included our invasion of Cuba to liberate it (while retaining Guantanamo Bay), and our acquisition of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam from Spain at the end of the Spanish-American War.  The U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris in a close vote at the end of the war to allow this.  Arguments for imperialism in the Philippines include these:  the U.S. has a civilizing mission and the Philippines gave us important strategic advantage.  If we withdrew, foreign powers would acquire it.  Arguments against imperialism were these: Democrats and populists said it was contrary to American principles of self-government, the Monroe Doctrine, and traditional U.S. "isolationism", a slightly pejorative term for the view that we should focus on America first.

Our imperialism included our invasion of Cuba to liberate it (while retaining Guantanamo Bay), and our acquisition of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam from Spain at the end of the Spanish-American War.  The U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Paris in a close vote at the end of the war to allow this.  Arguments for imperialism in the Philippines include these:  the U.S. has a civilizing mission and the Philippines gave us important strategic advantage.  If we withdrew, foreign powers would acquire it.  Arguments against imperialism were these: Democrats and populists said it was contrary to American principles of self-government, the Monroe Doctrine, and traditional U.S. "isolationism", a pejorative term for the view that we should focus on America first.

Part of imperialism was the building of the Panama Canal based on the Jay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty in 1903.  In 1977, President Jimmy Carter pushed through the Senate a treaty to return the Canal territory to the ownership of Panama.  A Republican senator from New Jersey, Clifford Chase, supported the return of the Canal to Panama; public outrage caused his remarkable defeat by an obscure conservative opponent in the Republican primary in 1978.  Now, due to the giveaway, the Panama Canal is operated by ... Communist China!

Part of imperialism was the building of the Panama Canal based on the Jay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty in 1903.  In 1977, President Jimmy Carter pushed through the Senate a treaty to return the Canal territory to the ownership of Panama.  A Republican senator from New Jersey, Clifford Chase, supported the return of the Canal to Panama; public outrage caused his unusual defeat by an obscure conservative opponent in the Republican primary in 1978.  Now, due to the giveaway, the Panama Canal is operated by ... Communist China!

After Jimmy Carter's one term as president (1977-81), Ronald Reagan served as president for two very successful terms (1981-89).  His successor in office was his Vice President, George H.W. Bush (the father of the current President Bush), who was able to serve only one term before losing reelection, from 1989-93.  This repeated how the previously popular presidents of George Washington and Andrew Jackson were followed in office for only one term by their Vice President.  In all three cases, economic problems plagued the term of service of the former Vice President.  John Adams, Martin Van Buren and George H.W. Bush all were unpopular partly due to a downturn in the economy during their presidency, and none were reelected.

After Jimmy Carter's one term as president (1977-81), Ronald Reagan served as president for two very successful terms (1981-89).  His successor in office was his Vice President, George H.W. Bush, who was able to serve only one term before losing reelection, from 1989-93.  This repeated how the previously popular presidents of George Washington and Andrew Jackson were followed in office for only one term by their Vice President.  In all three cases, economic problems plagued the term of service of the former Vice President.  John Adams, Martin Van Buren and George H.W. Bush all were unpopular partly due to a downturn in the economy during their presidency, and none were reelected.

Democracy (without a constitution) started in Ancient Greece hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. By 1776 many countries were already implementing the principles of democracy, but without constitutions. Britain had an elected parliament, and so did France.  The American Revolution was motivated partly by economics, partly by religion, and partly by philosophical principles, and its result was the Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) that protected individual freedom, private property and a republican form of government.  Today the U.S. Constitution is the longest governing document of its kind in the world.  

Democracy (without a constitution) started in Ancient Greece hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. By 1776 many countries were already implementing the principles of democracy, but without constitutions. Britain had an elected parliament, and so did France.  The American Revolution was motivated partly by economics, partly by religion, and partly by philosophical principles, and its result was the Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) that protected individual freedom, private property and a republican form of government.  '''Today the U.S. Constitution is the longest governing document of its kind in the world.'''

James Madison, in advocating ratification of the Constitution in the Federalist Papers, admitted that democracies were short-lived and that a single faction or special interest could obtain tyrannical control in a democracy.  But he observed that the Constitution established a republic rather than a democracy, and the large size of our republic would protect us against any single faction or special interest obtaining control of our country.

James Madison, in advocating ratification of the Constitution in the Federalist Papers, admitted that democracies were short-lived and that a single faction or special interest could obtain tyrannical control in a democracy.  But he observed that the Constitution established a republic rather than a democracy, and the large size of our republic would protect us against any single faction or special interest obtaining control of our country.