RI Y3 History Rise of the US 2021

• 13 colonies New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia) • Occupation of immigrants – traders, merchants, dock workers, plantation owners, farmers or growers, small business owners, enslaved workers, miners, etc. • Immigrants from Britain and Europe who brought with them their own religion. • Southern states became identifiable with farming or agriculture (for slavery). • Northern states were transforming into port cities (free states). • Western expansionism also led to expulsion of native Indians. • 13 colonies which were ruled by the British Crown. • Taxation without representation was a cause of revolution. • Declared independence in July 4, 1776 followed by War of Independence, which was won with the support of France. • Experimentation with liberal democracy (Republic) – Constitution, Presidential system, bicameralism, political parties, election, etc. • Westward expansion and integration of new states (with differing ideologies) – Southern states particularly which practiced slavery. • Civil War broke out (1861 to 1865) – Abolitionists vs Anti ‐Abolitionists. • A tentative but nervy peace after and reconciliation began. POLITICS SOCIETY • The continent, with its vast territory was untapped resources, invited the attention of European maritime powers. • There were plenty of French, Spanish, Dutch and even Russian colonial outposts on the American continent other than the British. • War of 1812 (1812‐1815) with Britain again. • Mexican ‐ American War (1846‐1848). • By 1870, Britain was emerging as the most powerful nation in the world. • Portuguese, Spain and Holland were declining powers with some colonies. • The German Empire was formed a year later . • Japan had begun its Meiji Restoration (industrialisation). • China had lost two Opium Wars. • Russia remained a stauch defender of absolute monarchy. • France was into its Third Republic. EXTERNAL RELATIONS / EVENTS • Land & Agriculture – The country had enormous reserves of fertile land, timber and minerals as well as a network of navigable rivers. • Most Americans were farmers, with small family farms typical of all regions. • Between 1840 and 1860 food production increased sevenfold, due to improved farming techniques as well the opening of new areas following expansion to the West. • In addition, the USA had developed a sound transport infrastructure. • Steamboat and canal development transformed travel on the great rivers. • By 1860, the USA had over 30,000 miles of railroad track, more than the rest of the world combined. • America was also on the verge of an industrial revolution with important advances in textiles, coal, iron and steel and the use of steam power . • However, at this time, fewer than one in five Americans lived in towns although there was rapid growth in cities such as New York and Chicago. • Moreover, there were great inequalities in wealth eve