The Basis of the U.S. Empire: How Bird Guano Promoted Growth and Domination
American Imperialism’s Startling History America’s quest for resources in the middle of the 19th century produced a surprising source of its worldwide influence: bird guano. The United States began its first significant overseas expansion by acquiring isolated islands covered with nutrient-rich bird droppings. This unanticipated resource, essential to American agriculture, established the foundation for strategic […]
