National growth and policy making: A comparative examination of British and American expansionary policy

As a comparative analysis of British and American expansionary policy, this study will examine the similarities which existed between the British and American approach to the development of theft respective frontier regions. For the British and the Americans, the solution for creating policy rested in the mutual relationship between the parent and dependents, and the extension of public incentives for private investment. The influence of mercantilism on British colonialism provided a framework for initial expansion. Facing internal and external threats, English expansionary policy was modified to maintain the positive balance of trade desired by the mercantile approach. American expansion, although occurring under different circumstances was fundamentally similar. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 as the manifestation of American expansionary policy utilized the charter of compact approach to further entice individuals to organize the Old Northwest. For both nations, parental leverage was created by the state to ensure compliance to expansionary policy.