chapter 14 forging the national economy. the westward movement 1840- the “demographic center” of...
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The Westward Movement
1840- the “demographic center” of American population map crosses the Alleghenies
Pioneer life was grim poorly fed housed in poorly built houses “rugged individualism” get help from gov. for internal
improvements
Shaping the Western Landscape Westward movement shaped physical
environment Pioneer exhaust land in tobacco region Kentucky bluegrass
1820s- American fur trappers set traps in Rocky Mountain region
Rendezvous System Beaver, buffalo, sea otter pelt trade “Ecological imperialism”- exploitation of
West’s natural bounty Americans still revere nature and admire its
beauty nature inspires literature and painting strong conservation movement George Catlin- painter and student of
Native American life
The March of the Millions American population grows rapidly
1860- original 13 states had more than doubled in number
Urban growth booms undesirable by-products smelly slums, inadequate policing, etc.
Continuing birthrate accounts for most of population growth, but later immigrants add more Europe getting too populated NY and Philadelphia- greatest
population of immigrants new opportunities freedom from aristocratic caste and
state church transoceanic steamship- immigrants
arrive in only 10 or 12 days
The Emerald Isle Moves West mid 1840s- Irish potato famine
death of about 1 million (25%) many immigrated to America and into
larger seaboard citiesbad conditionsjobs as kitchen maids and worked
on canals and railroads hated by native workersresented the blacks
Ancient Order of Hibernians helped spawn "Molly Maguires” conditions improved when Irish
acquired property Become involved in politics
The German Forty-Eighters 1 million German came between
1830-1860’s Crop failure Revolutionary war of 1849
German liberals contributed to elevation of American political life
Carl Schurz Germans had more money than Irish
-> bought land in the West. Votes were important; but too spread
out contributed to US culture and
isolationism. Advocated public education and
freedom. Resented by old Americans for
clinging on to their old ways
Flare-ups of Antiforeignism Invasion in the 1840’s and 50’s
inflamed prejudices of American nativists.
Catholicism becomes major faith due to immigration
Order of Star-spangled Banner- formed by nativists who feared Catholicism challenged Protestantism. Met in secrecy Fought for restrictions on
immigration, naturalization and deportation of alien paupers
Wrote books about corruption of churches
America became more diverse
Creeping Mechanization
Industrial revolution starts to spread Land is cheap, money for
investment and raw materials plentiful.
The British kept textile industries secrets as a monopoly (forbade exports of machines or the immigration of mechanics able to reproduce them)
US remained very rural and was mostly a farming nation.
Whitney Ends the fiber Famine
Samuel Slater : Father of the factory system 1791- put into operation first efficient
American machinery for spinning cotton thread
Eli Whitney - 1793 built cotton gin. More effective than hand picking
cotton. Expanded slavery South and North both prospered cotton kingdom pushed westward. Factories flourished esp. in New
England-Industrial center
Marvels in Manufacturing Embargo Act of the War of 1812
encourage home manufacturing After peace treaty at Gent, British
poured in surplus of cheap goods. Caused American factories to close.
Elias Howe & Issac Singer- sewing machine. foundation of clothing industry
number of patents increase By 1860-> 2600 patents
Important changes in the form and legal status of business organizations Principle of limited liability The Boston Associates Laws of “free incorporation”- passed
in NY 1848 Samuel F.B. Morse- telegraph