AMS 207 Lecture 5: AMS 207 Notes 2-23

• School: Miami University
• Department: American Studies
• Course: AMS 207
• Professor: Busch Andrew

Document Summary

Monroe doctrine continues to dominate us policy after the civil war. Despite cultural skirmishes, economic and demographic growth are extremely strong, making the us the fastest growing nation in the world while still being very inward looking. (cid:862)p(cid:396)otectio(cid:374)is(cid:373)(cid:863) Railroads, steel, electricity, oil, and immigration fuel a tremendous increase in specialization and mechanization, leading to rapid gains in productivity after the civil war. Economies of scale and centralization of production lead to national markets for many mass produced goods, Steel in pittsburgh and elsewhere in the midwest. Railroads, oil, and automobiles all use extraction-based natural resources. Economic growth leads to a new middle class that absorbs manufactured goods. New amusement parks cater to younger people looking forward to have fun away from adult supervision. Blurs ethnic and class lines, breaks down barriers among groups, reinvests disposable income. Almost all growth is focused internally; although some financial markets are becoming international, most are entirely local or national.