>I heard someone in the media say "The 20th Century was the American Century". I think this is true. But how did it happen?
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>The US was late to the Industrial Revolution because of its civil war. In addition, the US was quite isolationist. In the late 1800's and early 1900's Americans started to innovate and where at the leading edge of electricity, radio and flight. The two world wars gave the US economy a good kick in the pants.
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>Why didn't Mexico or Canada beat the US in growth? The European countries were for the most part flattened by World War II and in economic disarray.

It could be as simple as Goldilocks and the Three Bears: This country is too cold, this country is too hot, this country is just right. < g >

I can't speak as far as Mexico goes, but I have a friend who is Canadian. She says that many Canadians view Americans as being very, very agressive. I have only been to Canada once, Toronto, three years ago, and my impression was that Canadians were much more laid back.