Chapter 14Forging the National Economy

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