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Within a few decades of this energy transition, petroleum’s acquisition took on the spirit of an international arms race.Įven more significant, the international corporations that harvested oil throughout the world acquired a level of significance unknown to other industries, earning the encompassing name “ Big Oil.” By the 1920s, Big Oil’s product – useless just decades prior – had become the lifeblood of national security to the U.S.
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That in itself represented a new type of weapon and a basic strategic advantage. And in comparison to coal, when utilized in vehicles and ships, petroleum brought flexibility as it could be transported with ease and used in different types of vehicles. AP Photo Prime movers and national securityĭuring and after World War I, there was a dramatic change in energy production, shifting heavily away from wood and hydropower and toward fossil fuels – coal and, ultimately, petroleum. supplied crude to its allies in World War I and relied on domestic production after its entry. By the end of the first half of the century, the roadscape – transformed with an interstate highway system while he was president – helped remake the nation and the lives of its occupants. His decision to remain proved pivotal for the nation. Returning from World War I, Ike was entertaining the idea of leaving the military and accepting a civilian job. This trek, literally and figuratively, caught the nation and the young soldier at a crossroads. history, his passion for roads may have carried the most significant impact on the domestic front. Although he played a critical role in many portions of 20th-century U.S. Participating in this exploratory party was U.S.
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This was most troubling because their goal was to explore the condition of American roads by driving across the U.S. During the first three days of driving, they managed just over five miles per hour. Instead of an exploratory rocket or deep-sea submarine, these explorers set out in 42 trucks, five passenger cars and an assortment of motorcycles, ambulances, tank trucks, mobile field kitchens, mobile repair shops and Signal Corps searchlight trucks. The next morning, they helped to define the future of the nation. military members dedicated Zero Milestone – the point from which all road distances in the country would be measured – just south of the White House lawn in Washington, D.C.
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