Rural population
Sixty percent of Americans lived in rural areas, with little machine power, no electricity, and (on average) six years of education.
Agriculture
American families spent on average 44% of their income on food in 1900 (17% is common today). Food was the largest US export in 1900.
Industry
Favored with a growing population, a continent filled with raw materials and a legal system that rewarded ingenuity, the US became the single largest industrialized nation in 1903.
Questions for DraftWrite about 600 words (4 standard, typed pages) to answer these questions:
o Aside from the US, were there other nations with a ‘democratic’ style government? Name 2-3 and summarize how their government passed laws, chose leaders, etc.
o The US tradition in foreign affairs (relations with other countries) was to be strictly neutral in all matters of conflict (war, trade restrictions, etc.). How did this tradition begin? Why?
o How did Americans get their news about other nations in 1900?
These remarks will serve as the draft for your first paper. Turn it in on the due date.