America, since it inception, has been different than any other country in history. We are a nation, barely two hundred and thirty years old, and yet in our first century became the richest, most powerful and influential nation the world has ever known.

Our land has produced many natural resources such as iron ore, oil and gas, and timber which were seemingly vital to our success in becoming a world power. However, in later years it has been discovered that many other countries have as much, or more, natural resources as America has ever had. So, the obvious question is, why did they not become world powers considering the fact that they are much older than America?