About this episode

The episode explores the historical development of the United States and its emergence as a global superpower.

Since the discovery the New World by European explorers and the settlement of North America by English colonists, the land now occupied by the United States stood out for its tremendous natural wealth that remained untouched by the great population centers and civilizations of the Old World. The only question was who would subdue this continent, and in what fashion would it unfold. After several rocky starts, with conflicts between native populations and amongst the European powers and colonists, once the United States began its march westwards in earnest in the 1800s the makings of a superpower were clear. The principles of liberty, ingenuity, and raw ambition were on clear display, with vast territories falling into the influence of this new nation, building out cities, trails, and new technologies that took their people to the stars in the coming years. As the European empires crumbled with the end of the second world war, the United States emerged as the global power, ultimately defeating its last rival in the Soviet Union and paving the way for an era of globalization in the American image that has standardized around its English language, cultural icons from Hollywood, and…

Topics covered

• history
• American culture
• globalization
• political evolution
• economic changes

Keywords

• United States
• globalization
• American history
• Soviet Union
• 21st century
• cultural influence
• economic changes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hollywood, Wall Street, Silicon Valley

Places: United States, New World, North America, Soviet Union

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