How the US Became a World Power

U.S. As a World Power

The United States became a world power between 1890 and 1974 through the winning of World Wars and through economic growth and stability. By 1890, the U.S. economy was the best in the world, and American industry was producing double what Britain was. During that time, though, the U.S. was not strong militaristically or diplomatically, as these were areas on which it needed to work. In the meantime, the U.S. was focused on its industry and on helping poorer nations that were considered "backward" at the time and that were struggling in an effort to grow and develop into countries with stronger economies that were better able to help take care of their citizens. While the U.S. was engaged in humanitarian efforts at home and around the world, it also began to develop more on a diplomatic level. This was needed as the tensions that would lead to the First World War began to grow. The goal of the U.S. was to avoid war, and to find ways to make peace with other countries.

However, that was not to be. When the war began, the U.S. found itself entrenched in the battle just as much as other countries. That forced it to become stronger from a military standpoint, so it would be able to defend itself and also work with its allies to defeat enemy countries. The development of the military during that time was valuable, though, because it meant that the U.S. was able to be much more prepared for World War II. That was where its power really showed, and there were three lasting effects from that war. First, the U.S.'s place as a dominant world power was firmly established. Second, the military was made strong and long-lasting, so it could withstand future problems. Third, other countries realized they could count on the United States for humanitarian issues and to stand with them when needed.

If the Axis Powers had won the war, however, things would have likely been very different. Nazi Germany would have continued down Hitler's path of exterminating the Jewish people, and that would have likely spread to other countries -- and potentially to other races, origins, and religions. The United States would not have the power it does today, and one can only speculate as to where it might rank in the world, both from a power standpoint and an economic standpoint. That is not to say that the U.S. would not be a great place to live, but only that the strength it has in the world and the way it is looked to for help by so many other countries would likely not be where it is today if it had seen defeat in WWII instead of being on the victorious side.

The United States has also changed greatly since the 1960s, and has become even more of a world power. One of the ways it has done this is through humanitarian efforts, and the value it places on the lives of those who are struggling in other countries. Each year, the U.S. gives billions of dollars in aid to foreign countries, and that is a practice that has been going on for many years. Other countries that are less fortunate know that they can count on the U.S. To help them, and that they will receive aid money to afford food, medical care, and other things. That is highly valuable to those countries, because they are not able to get that level of help from other places. Because of the money that it offers to other places, the U.S. has been seen as a significant world power. Many other countries do not have the kind of resources the U.S. does and, therefore, cannot give as much to countries that are in need of help.