The Progressive Era

By the 20th century the American people were confronted with another reform movement known as the Progressive Era. The government played crucial roles in reforming America socially, economically, and politically. These reforms ranged from the federal level, the state level, and the local level. The Bureau of corporations, the salvation army, and the Home Rule Charters are all examples of the social, economic, and political reforms.
The Bureau of Corporations was a reform at the federal level that had an economic impact. The Bureau of Corporations was created to investigate antitrust violations. Economic reforms focused mainly on corrupt corporations which is why the Bureau of Corporations had an economic impact.
The Salvation Army was a reform movement at the state level that had a social impact. The Salvation Army focused on helping the poor and socially underprivileged. The Salvation Army’s social impact was so great that it is still around today assisting the needy.
The Home Rule Charters was a reform movement at the local level that had a political impact. The Home Rule Charters took away a lot of power from the state governments and allowed the local governments to make their own plan of government. This reform limited the corruption within the government.
The Bureau of corporations, the salvation army, and the Home Rule Charters were all reforms by the government that had social, economic, and political affects on the American people.

The Spanish-American War

In the decades after the Civil War, the United States continued to expand to territories across the continent, but by the late nineteenth century it turned its attention to non contiguous territories (Epstein pg. 229). One of those contiguous territories was Spain. The Spanish-American war made the United States a global power in possession of an over seas power. This war came about because of the cruel treatment of the Cubans from Spain, The DeLome’ letter, and the sinking of the Main. These are all valid reasons. Therefore, the United States was justified in going to war against Spain.
Cubans rose up against their Spanish oppressors in 1895. Sugar production was crippled when the American Tariff of 1894 restored high duties on the product. Driven to desperation, the Cubans torched cornfields and land mills. Spanish general herded many civilians into barbed wire concentration camps so that they could not give assistance to the rioters. Many of them died like dogs due to poor sanitation. American sympathies, ever on the side of fighting for freedom, went out to the Cuban underdogs.
In 1898, a U.S. newspaper published private letters stolen from the Spanish minister in Washington DeLome’. In the letter, the minister made derogatory comments about President McKinley which outraged many American people. This only added to the already explosive situation.
To make matter even worse a week after the DeLome’ incident a massive explosion blew up the U.S.S. Main. This explosion killed over 250 American Sailors. Since the American people were already upset about the DeLome’ incident, they quickly jumped to the conclusion that Spain was the obvious culprit. Although, to this day the cause of the explosion s a mystery.
Taking into account the Cruel treatment of the Cubans, the DeLome’ letter, and the sinking of the Main, The Spanish American war was justifiable. These are all valid reasons as to why the war was necessary. The Cubans were granted their independence and it made the United States a global power.
In my opinion, the constitution is the backbone of America. It gives the Unites States structure and character. If the constitution did not exist then America would not have made it so far. The constitution plays a very important and essential role in the destination of the American future. I guess you could call it the main character.