The Emergence of the US as an Economic and Military Superpower

Introduction

Centuries of its existence, the United States has confidently moved towards a stable military and economic position. In the beginning, the country was constantly at war, frequently acting belligerent and self-righteous toward other nations, bold in demanding its privileges and forceful in achieving its objectives. Today, the nation holds sole global power in economic and military might, which has surpassed the power of past lead states such as the British Empire and the Soviet Union. The country’s global influence results from its control of trade, political stability, and appealing culture. Currently, America accounts for most of global wealth, innovation, and military spending. ¹ Further, the country hosts numerous profitable companies in technology and innovation with many ally nations, which depend on the country for economic and military support.

Despite its position as a global leader today, the United States was an insignificant nation before the 19^th century and had to undergo various struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs to achieve a global superpower. This paper explores the significant factors that led to the rise of the United States’ economic and military superpower, including continuous innovation, capitalism, foreign policy, and military conflicts victories between 1900 and 1945.

Military Conflicts and Victories

The Russo-Japan Conflict

The U.S has a long history of victories and losses, rising from a vulnerable nation to an economic and military superpower, becoming one of the most robust and reputable countries in the world. However, it has not always been this way since, in the 19th century, the country was a defenseless and unprotected nation. The army was not sufficiently equipped and did not have budgetary funds to replenish military supplies in the earlier conflict between central powers, such as the Crimean War in 1854, which involved central world powers.² The first conflict which elevated the U.S as an economic superpower was the Russo-Japan War between 1904 and 1905. The Japanese and Russians had suffered several years of conflict regarding the control and ownership of Manchuria, leading to Japan’s attacks against Russia. Although the two armies had great military potential, the battles resulted in many deaths, chaos, and suffering, which prompted a peace treaty to appease both sides. Hence, the U.S got involved as a mediator of peace between the two nations ending the war in 1905 with a peace treaty known as the Portsmouth Treaty.

The treaty ensured that Japan could not stifle Russia’s power and gain significant influence regionally and globally, which gave the U.S the privilege of being a global superpower. Mccoy argues that if Japan established greater might during the period, it would lead to competition and more wars to conquer the world.³ Thus, President Roosevelt advocated for a power balance where each region settled for a part of the region under dispute. Further, the war had drained the military and economic resources of the two battling countries, leaving the U.S with more resources to establish global supremacy economically and in military might.

World War I

Another victory that led to the economic and military power of the U.S emerged in the 20^th century with its entry into World War I between 1914 and 1918. United States’ involvement in the war brought significant changes in the socioeconomic and political aspects of the nation. America became allies to the winning side, enhancing its military position since France and Britain held significant global economic, social, military, and political power. At the same time, Mccoy argues that joining the military service industry enhanced the citizens’ economic life. In turn, America’s economy was boosted immensely, which marked the start of the global economic superpower due to the financial growth and stability of the citizens.⁴ Thus, America’s wealth became incomparable to other countries, achieving economic superiority globally.

Unlike the Soviet Union and European nations who suffered significant losses in the war, America emerged more potent in military affairs from World War I. Millions of American citizens joined the military and spread worldwide to fight against Germany and Austria leading to victory. However, the victory came at the price of losing more civilians despite gaining military power and economic stability. According to Lindbloom and Cosgrove, Americans had lost more than 116000 lives by the war’s end, making it a bitter victory.⁵ Nonetheless, the country had gained military strength, which has benefitted the citizens to date, enabling the nation to fight singularly against foreign threats.

World War II

Similarly, World War II between 1939 and 1945 led to the growth and stability of the United States military and economic power. Despite being defenseless since most civilians spread out to fight the war, the nation was economically stable with the production of military materials and resources. The remaining citizens engaged in activities that supported their fellow citizens in war which promoted economic growth and financial security. According to Browne, the U.S switched from producing civilian materials such as garments and shoes to producing military garments, boots, and weapons⁶. At the same time, farming shifted from local consumption to large-scale food production for feeding those in battle and exporting to the armies creating a significant boost to America’s economy and global power.

The demand for labor in the military, manufacturing industry, and farming provided a source of income for many Americans. Hence, it helped buy bonds and give to the warring nations loans through the U.S government to facilitate their military might and victory. Lindbloom and Cosgrove argue that although the country seemed neutral initially, its target was supporting the allied nations because they had economic potential as trade partners and represented democratic practices.⁷ By the war’s end, sovereign empires like Great Britain and France owed American taxpayers over $9 billion, making the U.S more economically powerful.⁸ Nowadays, the U.S continues to demonstrate military power through demonstration performances and open funding reports. For example, while the U.S. defense budget is $700 billion, the budget of the U.S. main competition, China, is $200 billion.⁹ In this sense, the U.S. has been building its reputation for centuries while accumulating its military and economic might, making it a global superpower.

Foreign Policies

Platt Amendment

Since the country’s creation, the foreign policy of the U.S. has been essential to the perception of the U.S. as a worldwide economic superpower. Throughout history, the U.S has focused on consolidating a peaceful, democratic and united world, leading to the creation of policies that foster foreign diplomacy, democracy, military defense, security, peace, health issues, and trade worldwide.¹⁰ The primary policies that have made America a significant world power are military support, economic support, and security nationally and internationally.¹¹ The security and military defense policy date back to the early 20^th century during World War I and World War II, when the nation defended against foreign attacks and aided other nations in ending the wars.

The first policy that led to the United States’ global economic superpower in the Platt Amendment in 1901. The amendment followed America’s involvement in the Spanish war and conquest of Cuba and the Caribbean islands. Acquiring the Pacific islands, particularly Hawaii, provided a strong base for the economic growth of the U.S as it facilitated trade interests with Asia and other countries and strategic military planning to defend against external threats.¹² In 1914, the U.S built the Panama Canal, which facilitated transport and trade across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans leading to an economic boost in America. Thus, the amendment strengthened the United States’ power by allowing them to control Cuba’s commercial, foreign and financial policies. Further, the U.S. signed a treaty with Cuba in 1903, making America a significant contributor to Cuba’s political system and administration, leading to economic and political dependency.¹³ The increased influence of the U.S in foreign matters enhanced its status, making them a global superpower to date.

The Marshall Plan

Another policy that made America a world superpower was foreign trade policies and treaties, which boosted the nation’s economic prosperity nationally and globally. One example of a successful U.S. trade policy is the Marshall Plan. After the Second World War, the U.S. was ready to rebuild its own country and help European countries, which led to the signing of a foreign trade treaty referred to as the Marshall Plan.¹⁴ This plan allowed the U.S to create economic ties with foreign nations infusing substantial financial aid to southern and Western Europe on conditions of mutual support and cooperation towards the recovery of the markets, assisting in foreign trade.¹⁵ The Marshal plan aimed to bridge the rift between the two regions through economic prosperity facilitated by America, making it a diplomatic nation with sound foreign policies. Therefore, the country emerged as a powerful ally in providing economic support and peace, making it a global superpower. Although the Marshal plan drained much of the United States’ economic resources, it aimed at bridging the rift between the two regions through economic prosperity facilitated by America, making it a diplomatic nation.

The Open-door Policy

Throughout history, the U.S has facilitated aid in developing countries, which has enhanced their financial stability, food security, education, and the health sector. From 1904 to 1905, the United States supported the open-door policy in Asia, declaring independent trade interests among the Far East countries.¹⁶ The policy was made in China, where Asian countries, including Russia, were requested to respect the trade interest of individual nations in the region. Thus, the policy promoted foreign peace in the region and enhanced cross-borders and foreign trade with the U.S making it the sole beneficiary of the policy, which led to a global economic superpower. Despite the filial efforts to foster peace and trade, historians and political scholars argue that the U.S used foreign policies to boost its global superpower than help enhance global economic stability and security.¹⁷ Nonetheless, the U.S insisted on giving the national military and economic support to help in promoting democracy and peace. Thus, America’s excellent foreign policy influence has established the nation as a superpower globally.

Capitalism and Innovation

The Free Market Capitalism

Lastly, the United States became the world’s leading economic superpower due to capitalism and continuous innovations. Capitalism is a political and economic system that advocates for private ownership and control of the trade industry.¹⁸ Capitalism is a market democracy where individuals are free to trade and profit privately, foster market competition, engage in voluntary exchange, and pose wage labor without government interference. Hence, capitalism is among the significant factors that economically led to America’s superpower. The industrial revolution era, between 1900 and 1904 is among the central capitalism and innovation period that brought significant transformations in the socioeconomic and political aspects leading to global economic power in the United States.¹⁹ The period was characterized by mass immigration, huge technological innovations, significant mergers, the expansion of cities, and the consolidation of significant firms, which significantly transformed the U.S into an industrial nation.

Innovations

The primary innovations which attracted significant development were the railroad system and steamboats that facilitated faster transportation. The country could move industrial raw materials, industrial machinery, and people more efficiently, leading to major innovations in production factories. Due to capitalism, the trade market was characterized by higher wages which attracted immigrants, mainly Europeans, to enter America in search of better employment opportunities and wages.²⁰ In turn, population growth promoted the growth of cities, which facilitated the development of technology and innovation in agricultural factories, mining, and animal production practices. Additionally, many citizens, including women and children, worked in industries boosting their financial status and the country’s economic power.²¹ Hence, the region experienced rapid economic growth and stability, making the nation among the world’s superpower economies.

Market Monopoly

Consequently, the great mergers and consolidation of significant firms led to a global monopoly of essential markets in the U.S, which has facilitated economic growth and development to date. Between 1900 and 1930, the nation established an intellectual monopoly in many areas, including railroad systems, oil, and manufacturing.²² This development enabled total control of market power leading to economic rise. Since 1930, America has held a global monopoly in the production and supply of steel, tobacco, and oil through significant companies which own precise control of the particular commodity.²³ Due to a lack of competition in the period, the production companies had total control of pricing and labor wages leading to high production and higher prices that contributed to America’s wealth and global economic superpower. McCoy argues that although the companies were privately owned, the United States allocated a significant amount of financial support to maintain the market monopoly.²⁴ At the same time, the inadequate global competition led to raised prices beyond the marginal cost giving the U.S significant returns that enhanced their economic wealth globally. Therefore, capitalism was one way of acquiring government wealth through private entrepreneurs resulting in America’s economic superpower.

Conclusion

Generally, the United States has established itself as a global economic and military superpower via constant innovation, capitalism, conflicts, and military triumphs. Various conflicts and military triumphs, such as the Russo-Japanese conflict and victories in World War I and World War II, led to the emergence of America’s economic and military superpower. Likewise, the United States as a global economic giant, has depended on its foreign policy since its founding, spurring the connection with other developed nations. The policies facilitated foreign trade and peace treaties, which fostered economic development due to international security and diplomacy. Capitalism and ongoing innovation were the final reason the United States became the world’s top economic superpower, incorporating significant mergers, monopolies, and globalization, which led to controlling world markets. Thus, America is a powerful and significant country controlling the global economy and military activities, enhancing its position worldwide.

Bibliography

Beckley, Michael. Unrivaled Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2018.

Browne, Blaine T. Mighty Endeavor: The American Nation and World War II. Lanham; Boulder; New York; London, New York: Rowman et Littlefield, 2019.

Greenspan, Alan and Woolridge, Adrian. Capitalism in America: An Economic History of the United States. United States, Penguin, 2019.

Herring, George C. From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations since 1776. New York, United States: Oxford University Press, 2017.

Lindbloom, Carl G, Cosgrove, Michael. Cost of Winning: Global Development Policies and Broken Social Contracts. United Kingdom, UK: Taylor & Francis, 2018.

Mccoy, Alfred W. In The Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of US Global Power. United Kingdom: Oneworld Publications, 2019.

Preston, Andrew. American Foreign Relations: A Very Short Introduction. New York, United States: Oxford University Press, 2019.

Rikap, Cecilia. Capitalism, Power and Innovation: Intellectual Monopoly Capitalism Uncovered. Abingdon, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2021.

Footnotes

1. Michael Beckley, Unrivaled Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2018), pp. 152
2. George C. Herring, From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations since 1776 (New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2017), pp. 216
3. Alfred W. Mccoy, In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power (United Kingdom, United Kingdom: Oneworld Publications, 2019), pp. 141
4. Alfred W. Mccoy, In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power (United Kingdom, United Kingdom: Oneworld Publications, 2019), pp. 158
5. Carl G. Lindbloom and Michael Cosgrove, Cost of Winning: Global Development Policies and Broken Social Contracts (United Kingdom, U.K.: Taylor & Francis, 2018), pp. 211
6. Blaine T. Browne, Mighty Endeavor: The American Nation and World War II (Lanham; Boulder; New York; London: Rowman et Littlefield, 2019), pp. 188
7. Carl G. Lindbloom and Michael Cosgrove, Cost of Winning: Global Development Policies and Broken Social Contracts (United Kingdom, U.K.: Taylor & Francis, 2018), pp. 104.
8. Michael Beckley, Unrivaled Why America Will Remain the World’s Sole Superpower (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2018), pp. 195
9. Alfred W. Mccoy, In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power (United Kingdom, United Kingdom: Oneworld Publications, 2019), pp. 274
10. Andrew Preston, American Foreign Relations: A Very Short Introduction (New York, United States: Oxford University Press, 2019), pp. 74
11. George C. Herring, From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations since 1776 (New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2017), pp. 247
12. Andrew Preston, American Foreign Relations: A Very Short Introduction (New York, United States: Oxford University Press, 2019), pp. 68
13. Carl G. Lindbloom and Michael Cosgrove, Cost of Winning: Global Development Policies and Broken Social Contracts (United Kingdom, U.K.: Taylor & Francis, 2018), pp. 158
14. Blaine T. Browne, Mighty Endeavor: The American Nation and World War II (Lanham; Boulder; New York; London: Rowman et Littlefield, 2019), pp. 216
15. Carl G. Lindbloom and Michael Cosgrove, Cost of Winning: Global Development Policies and Broken Social Contracts (United Kingdom, U.K.: Taylor & Francis, 2018), pp. 166
16. George C. Herring, From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations since 1776 (New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2017), pp. 255
17. Carl G. Lindbloom and Michael Cosgrove, Cost of Winning: Global Development Policies and Broken Social Contracts (United Kingdom, U.K.: Taylor & Francis, 2018), pp. 152
18. Cecilia Rikap, Capitalism, Power and Innovation: Intellectual Monopoly Capitalism Uncovered (Abingdon, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2021), pp, 11
19. Alan Greenspan and Adrian Woolridge, Capitalism in America: An Economic History of the United States (United States: Penguin, 2019), pp. 217
20. Alan Greenspan and Adrian Woolridge, Capitalism in America: An Economic History of the United States (United States: Penguin, 2019), pp. 189
21. George C. Herring, From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations since 1776 (New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2017), pp. 236
22. Cecilia Rikap, Capitalism, Power and Innovation: Intellectual Monopoly Capitalism Uncovered (Abingdon, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2021), pp. 210
23. George C. Herring, From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations since 1776 (New York, New York: Oxford University Press, 2017), pp, 517
24. Alfred W. Mccoy, In the Shadows of the American Century: The Rise and Decline of U.S. Global Power (United Kingdom, United Kingdom: Oneworld Publications, 2019), pp. 281.