Transcript Slide 1
Treaty of Paris, 1783 After the Revolutionary victory, Great Britain: recognized American independence – kind of. . . Promised to pull troops from the new US soil Granted its former colonies the vast territory from the Appalachian mountains to the Mississippi River By 1783, 20,000 AngloAmericans settlers lived west of Appalachians. New Americans organize with “Ordinances. . .” The Land Ordinance of 1785 provided for the survey and sale of new territory Makes land available to farmers, but also raises money for federal treasury Also, introduces land speculators into the picture. . . The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established the process for turning territories into states. Set up procedure for how new territories would come into the union– as equal states, not colonies. Provided for (and with land sales, funded) public schooling system, ensured settlers the same rights as citizens in older states Banned slavery in the Northwest territories/states Ohio was the first state formed under this system in 1803 The “Revolution of 1800” Nation should be a decentralized empire of small farmers, dedicated to preserving and expanding “freedom” The organizing of Northwest is part of a “Jeffersonian” vision that influenced future American notions about expansion west. . . “Thomas Jefferson elected President” - 1800 Celebration of the Yeoman Farmer Expanding Jefferson’s “Empire of Liberty” A nation of white farmers who provided for their families, and sent any extra crops, food, or raw materials overseas to Europe trade for manufactured goods. YES: Small farms, landowners NO: factories or tenant classes This vision of a Republic of little republics does not include slavery. . .in theory 1803: Louisiana Purchase for $15 million Jefferson wins reelection in 1804. . . Brings the Entire Mississippi River under US Control Lewis and Clark sent to explore this new territory. After War of 1812: Increased expansion and immigration After 1815. . . One quarter of free American families (“white”) will start moving west in their “pursuit of happiness” From 1815 to 1860, 5 million European immigrants move to US By 1860, ¾ of all foreign immigrants are Irish or German Dramatic improvement in transport Roads and Turnpikes Congress begins the National Road in 1811, linking Potomac River with Ohio River at Wheeling – will extend to Vandalia, Illinois by 1838. States/private companies begin building their own turnpikes after 1812 Moving west – the hard way! Dramatic improvement in transport Steamboats: 1807 Robert Fulton sent his Clermont up river NYC to Albany By 1820, there were 69 steamboats operating on western rivers, moving against the tide! Dramatic improvement in transport CANALS: 1817 Governor Clinton of NY convinces state legislature to fund Erie Canal, linking Hudson River with Lake Erie People and goods move into interior NY – canal is springboard for development of northwestern regions By 1840, there are over 3000 miles of canals linking the northeast and northwest. . . Building of the Erie Canal Ohio Canal System First western city: Cincinnati Ohio farmers send produce north through Ohio, across Lake Erie, link up with Erie canal, to reach markets in NYC. The whole trip took 18 days. . . A Transportation Revolution facilitates westward expansion, especially in the north. . . The most extensive infrastructure is NORTHEAST linking NORTHWEST The SOUTH and SOUTHWEST have very little transportation options. . . Expansion into the “Far West” By 1840, over 500 Americans had settled in Oregon Took four months to travel there by wagon By 1848, 11,500 pioneers (mostly families) had followed overland trail to Oregon Thinking about Lucy’s life. . . Why does Lucy Fletcher Kellogg’s and her family move west and where do they go? Do they just work at farming – like President Jefferson envisioned? Be sure to choose a direct quote from Lucy’s autobiography that supports your answers to these questions! The expansion of people AND goods Improved transportation and increasing numbers of families moving west expand and extend domestic markets, Eastern homes receive Western crops/food Western homes receive manufactured goods made in Eastern factories One of Chauncey Jerome’s Clocks, all ready to sit on the Fireplace mantel of a western home! Expansion of Market Society Before the revolution, colonies supplied England with food, and bought manufactured goods from England. After the revolution, new nation moves towards a selfsustaining system with a strong domestic economy of interdependent, expanding markets MARKET SOCIETY part of the expansion story. . . What is a market society? A society in which the assumptions and language of capitalist transaction influenced the ways Americans perceived their world – and worked to expand it. Thinking about Chauncey. . . In what ways do you see market society influencing the ways Chauncey Jerome thought about his expanding world? I loved to work as well as I did to eat. (p172) 1793: Another spur to Expansion The cotton gin makes cotton cultivation lucrative Expanding slave market flourishes in response to the expanding labor needs of this new commercial enterprise Another influence of market society on American culture. . . To most Americans at the time, slaves and clocks are both things to be bought and sold. The west proves to be a lucrative market for both. Cotton cultivation expands the south into the “Old Southwest” region, White families brought slaves with them in their westward movement, or bought slaves when they settled into new territory Again, what is Lucy’s experience with slavery? After 1800, over 150,000 slaves sold into new cotton growing regions Trade in cotton and slaves flourishes along expanding territorial and transportation routes Southern regional expansion Region – and infrastructure - dedicated to cotton Massive need for cotton- friendly land – and slaves to work the land. South depends on north for manufactured goods Chauncey heard that his Bronze Looking Glass Clock was “liked very much in the southern market. I have heard of some of these being sold in Mississippi and Louisiana as high as one hundred and one hundred and fifteen dollars. . .” (175) “Manifest Destiny” (1845) By the 1840s, calls for America to fulfill a national “mission” and expand its power and people over the continent fill speeches, magazines, editorials, national party platforms, etc. According to one magazine, “our manifest destiny is to overspread the continent allotted by Providence. . .” Many Americans believe continent expansion is inevitable, and divinely ordained. . . War with Mexico 1846-1848 What is this war about? Depends on your regional loyalty. . . Security of western borders? A land grab for slaveholders? Or both? A slave perspective on the Mexican War. . . At the end of Northup, Chapter 17. . . “During the Mexican war I well remember the extravagant hopes that were excited. The news of victory filled the great house with rejoicing, but produced only sorrow and disappointment in the cabin. . .” Solomon Northup A free man enslaved. . . Northup grew up in upstate NY Goes on fiddle tour to DC with “business associates” - who sell him. He ends up in New Orleans slave market How does the transportation revolution and American expansionism influence his life? Gold Found in California - 1849 California territory fills quickly. . . By 1850, 44,000 settlers (mostly young men) arrived in California Even as Americans battled each over during the Civil War, they continued to encourage expansion. HOMESTEAD ACT, 1862 Congress granted 160 acres of public land to settlers after five years of residence By 1865, 20,000 homesteaders had settled Great Plains. . .