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To: BohDaThone
But, it wasn't just "an accident of history." Those resources were worthless until we applied ingenuity, sweat and freedom. The Indians had the same resources, and didn't do much with them.

One important point. In contrast with the Latin America (where top families own the most) the land taken from Indians was GIVEN FOR FREE to the all citizens in order to create the independent middle class. Freed blacks on the other hand did not get their "mule and forty acres" - results show until today.

60 posted on 02/18/2004 6:36:55 AM PST by A. Pole (The genocide of Albanians was stopped in its tracks before it began.)
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To: A. Pole
In contrast with the Latin America (where top families own the most) the land taken from Indians was GIVEN FOR FREE to the all citizens in order to create the independent middle class.

Actually, this wasn't really the case at all. While it is true that the Homestead Act resulted in the creation of what we now identify as a "middle class," these people were not the intended beneficiaries of the Act, nor were they "independent" in any real sense.

The Homestead Act was specifically aimed at helping U.S. railroads secure a lifeline to natural resources, while at the same time building markets for finished products made by eastern manufacturers. In essence, the railroads were looking to build up what is known in the industry as a "back haul" by running revenue service in both directions.

And far from being "independent," the farmers who settled in the Great Plains were beholden to the railroads in almost every area of their lives, from the prices they received for their grain to the prices they paid for their farm equipment.

83 posted on 02/18/2004 8:00:30 AM PST by Alberta's Child (Alberta -- the TRUE North strong and free.)
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