As the United States began its rapid entry into the Industrial Era, it became quickly apparent that certain industries needed government regulation. The purpose of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 was to provide regulation over the burgeoning railroad industry. In the aftermath of the Civil War, the United States began to experience the effects …
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The 1930s were a difficult time in world history and living in the United States during this period was no different. One of the major events of the Great Depression was the Dust Bowl. The Dust Bowl was a devastating event in the Great Plains region of the United States that took place during the …
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One of the biggest construction projects that had the most historical significance was the United States’ Interstate Highway Act of 1956. The bill played a monumental role in shaping the future of the US and transforming the national landscape. The Interstate Highway System had its origins in the woes of the Great Depression. World War …
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When looking at the history of the Hoover Dam, one must admire the incredible planning that went into its creation. The foresight of the project’s engineers and overseers to create a massive construction project that has stood the test of time is truly remarkable. The need for the Hoover Dam stems from the vast history …
The cotton gin was an invention at the end of the 18th century that had a drastic impact on the institution of slavery and the trajectory of the new United States nation. As early as the founding of the United States in 1776, there was a clear divide over the issue of slavery. The northern …
The Impact of the Cotton Gin: How it Affected Slavery in the South Read More »
The history of the French fur trade dates back to as early as the 16th century. This was a time prior to any permanent European settlements north of Florida. The French were the first to initiate and recognize the value of North American fur, though the Dutch, English, and other nations soon followed. The trade …
In 1870 John D. Rockefeller co-founded the Standard Oil Company. The company (or “Standard” for short) would grow over the coming decades to be one of the largest businesses in the US at the time. It eventually met its demise, though the breakup of Standard Oil still has a lasting effect on the modern world. …
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In order for humanity to transition from hunter gatherer groups to agricultural based societies the domestication of plants and animals was needed. The domestication of plants in particular is a fascinating topic. What most do not know is that many different regions of the world domesticated plants and animals independently. That is, crops were not …
Timeline of The Domestication of Plants and Animals Read More »
In the aftermath of World War II, Europe was in ruins. After 6 years of war had reduced cities and industries across the continent to rubble from fighting and aerial bombings. To return the countries back to their prewar levels, something major needed to occur. Enter aid from the Marshall Plan. Named after former US …
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In 1532 Francisco Pizarro and 167 other Spanish conquistadors arrived in Peru. Their goal was simple: find enough wealth to never have to work again. Obtaining gold and silver could help accomplish that, but so too could overthrowing an empire. Just how much gold did the Incas have? It’s with that in mind that the …
One indicator that economists use to measure the relative health of an economy is the national debt to GDP ratio. If this ratio is within an ideal zone, a country is set for growth. However, if the ratio is above a certain level, a country could suffer negative effects. The U.S. debt to GDP ratio …
U.S. National Debt to GDP Ratio by Year (1929-2022) Read More »
At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century Japan experienced an incredible transformation. During a period known as the Meiji Restoration, the island nation transformed from a feudal society to an imperial power with drastic economic effects across a thirty year period. Since 1600 the island of Japan was ruled by …
