American Expansion 2014: Oil, Walmart and Africa

So in U.S. History class we have been studying the Expansion of Industry in America in the late 1800's.  But we would like to compare American expansion in the 1800's to American expansion in 2014.  And eventually when we talk about imperialism we will want to try to connect past U.S. imperialism to current U.S. imperialism and how it relates to the expansion of American industry.  We will also want to look at the current countries we are in competition with in manufacturing/industry and the role that plays in our everyday lives.  Finally, I think we should look at our current crude oil production including the pipelines and railways.  Our country was built on the oil industry of John D. Rockefeller.  What impact does oil have today on our nation (domestic)?  Foreign interests?  Expansion?

Expansion in Africa article

Walmart and the U.S. government in Africa-even the supermarket is expanding

crude oil on America's railways-Interactive map

pipelines in America map