ESSENTIAL QUESTION:ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

Westward Movement

• As late as 1850, 50% of Americans were under 30 years of age.

• Americans were a restless and energetic bunch who were constantly on the move, always westward.

• As the “tall tale’ stated, the chickens in the spring voluntarily crossed their legs to be tied up for the move west.

Pioneer Life• Legend romanticizes pioneer life:

– Muscular axmen who triumphantly carve out civilization from the western woods.

• In reality it was much different:– Poorly fed, ill-clad, housed in hastily erected shanties– Victims of disease, depression, and premature death– Unbearable loneliness especially for women, who may not have

contact with others for days or weeks– For men, life was crude and tough. – Also, due to the seclusion, people were ill-informed,

superstitious, and individualistic. • Literature at this time embodied the self-reliance and spirit of

pioneer life:– James Cooper’s Natty Bumppo and Melville's Captain Ahab.

• Concept of American “rugged individualism” is born out of frontier life and pioneering life. Obama uses this phrase often.

Effects of Western Migration

• Enviromental and Ecological Effects of Western Migration:– Tobacco fields left leaving behind barren and

destroyed fields– In Kentucky, burned cane and “Kentucky Bluegrass”

grew after it was burned. Allowing ideal pasture for livestock

– Destruction of the beaver and bison populations due to fashion. In California, sea otters also killed close to extinction just for their pelts.

• Exploitation of the West’s resources and boundless beauty called “Ecological imperialism.”

Respect for Nature

• However, at the same time that many of the west’s resources were being exploited, Americans also showed deep respect for nature:– American nature and wilderness became a symbol of

American nationalism. No country could brag of the natural and pristine beauty that America had, much of it not spoiled by human hands

– This attitude helps spur a conservation movement and also art and literature genres.

• George Catlin- lived with Native Americans and painted portraits in their natural state. Advocated for a national park system and idea bore fruit with creation of Yelowstone Park in 1872

The triangles indicate the points at which a map of the United States weighted for the population of the country in a given year would balance. Note the remarkable equilibrium of the north-south pull from 1790 to about 1940, and the strong spurt west and south thereafter. The 1980 census revealed that the nation’s center of population had at last moved west of the Mississippi River. The map also shows the slowing of the westward movement between 1890 and 1940--the period of heaviest immigration from Europe, which ended up mainly in East Coast cities.

Westward Movement of Center of Population, 1790–2000

Copyright (c) Houghton Mifflin Company. All Rights Reserved.

Population Increase, Including Slaves and Indians, 1790–1860

Population still doubled every 25 years in 1850. By 1860, there were 33 states and United States was 4th in population in the western world behind France, Russia, and Austria.

American Population Centers in 1820

American Population Centers in 1820

American Population Centers in 1860

American Population Centers in 1860

Only two urban centers greater than 20,000 in 1790; Philly and New York. By 1860, there were 43. Only two urban centers greater than 20,000 in 1790; Philly and New York. By 1860, there were 43.

Effects of rapid Urbanization

• Increased problems of smelly slums, impure water, foul sewage, poor police forces, ravenous rats, and improper garbage disposal.

• Hogs scavenged through the streets.

• But changes occurred:– Boston pioneered a sewer system in 1823– New York developed a piped-in water supply

Immigration

• Birthrate accounted for the population boom, but so did massive immigration:– Immigration rates tripled during the 1840’s and quadrupled

during the 1850’s– 1. 5 million Irish and 1.5 million Germans arrived during this

time. • Europe had a “surplus” population and many of these

people saw in America a land full of freedoms and opportunity

• Freedom from aristocratic class and state supported church. Letters home describe a more rich life in America with low taxes, no compulsory military service and three meat meals a day.

• Transatlantic steamships also meant a faster means of travel across the Atlantic.

The Irish

• Forced to move during the “Black Forties” due to the potato blight or potato famine. 2 million perished during the potato famine

• Many too poor to but land, so they populated the eastern seaboard cities such as New York and Boston, New York became largest Irish city in the world and more Irish lived in American than Ireland

The Irish

• Life was not easy for the Irish:– Forced to live in squalor and already vile

slums– Many resented them because of their faith

and only the worst jobs were available to the Irish. Many signs posted No Irish Need to Apply

– As a result, hatred existed between blacks and the Irish because they competed for the same jobs

The Irish

• Ancient Order of Hibernians served a s a benevolent society to help poor Irish

• Also, the Molly Maguire's, a union gang, formed to protect Irish interests.

• In the end, the Irish become involved in politics to improve their lot. Especially in New York with Tammany Hall. Consequently, they reaped the patronage awards as politicians sought out the Irish vote.

• This also allowed many Irish to be members of the police force in many big cities.

• All in all, 2 million Irish arrive between 1830-1860. So as their numbers increased, the Irish vote became more important.

American View of the Irish Immigrant

American View of the Irish Immigrant

National Origin of Immigrants:1820 - 1860

National Origin of Immigrants:1820 - 1860

Why now?Why now?

The Irish

Thousands fled famine in Ireland by coming to America in the 1840s and 1850s.Thousands fled famine in Ireland by coming to America in the 1840s and 1850s.

Outward Bound, The Quay at Dublin, 1854Outward Bound, The Quay at Dublin, 1854

1870 St. Patrick’s DayParade1870 St. Patrick’s DayParade

The IrishA bitter “nativist” cartoon charging Irish and German immigrants with “stealing” elections.

A bitter “nativist” cartoon charging Irish and German immigrants with “stealing” elections.

First Turnpike- 1790 Lancaster, PA

First Turnpike- 1790 Lancaster, PA

By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road connected most major cities.connected most major cities.

Cumberland (National Road), 1811

Cumberland (National Road), 1811

Conestoga Covered WagonsConestoga Covered Wagons

Conestoga Trail, 1820sConestoga Trail, 1820s

Erie Canal SystemErie Canal System

Erie Canal, 1820sErie Canal, 1820s

Begun in 1817; completed in 1825Begun in 1817; completed in 1825

Robert Fulton & the Steamboat

Robert Fulton & the Steamboat

1807: The 1807: The ClermontClermont

Principal Canals in 1840Principal Canals in 1840

Inland Freight RatesInland Freight Rates

Clipper ShipsClipper Ships

The “Iron Horse” Wins! (1830)The “Iron Horse” Wins! (1830)

1830 1830 13 miles of track built by Baltimore & 13 miles of track built by Baltimore & Ohio RROhio RR

By 1850 By 1850 9000 mi. of RR track [1860 9000 mi. of RR track [1860 31,000 31,000 mi.]mi.]

TheRailroad

Revolution,1850s

TheRailroad

Revolution,1850s

Immigrant laborImmigrant laborbuilt the No. built the No. RRs.RRs.

Slave laborSlave laborbuilt the So. built the So. RRs. RRs.

Resourcefulness & Experimentation

Resourcefulness & Experimentation

Americans were willing to try Americans were willing to try

anything.anything.

They were first copiers, thenThey were first copiers, theninnovators.innovators.

1800 1800 41 patents were 41 patents were approved.approved.

1860 1860 4,357 “ “ “4,357 “ “ “

Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin, 1791

Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin, 1791

Actually Actually invented by a invented by a

slave!slave!

Eli Whitney’s Gun FactoryEli Whitney’s Gun Factory

Interchangeable Parts RifleInterchangeable Parts Rifle

OliverEvansOliverEvans

First prototype of the First prototype of the locomotivelocomotive

First automated First automated flour millflour mill

John Deere & the Steel Plow(1837)

John Deere & the Steel Plow(1837)

Cyrus McCormick& the Mechanical Reaper:

1831

Cyrus McCormick& the Mechanical Reaper:

1831

Samuel F. B. MorseSamuel F. B. Morse

1840 – Telegraph1840 – Telegraph

Cyrus Field & the Transatlantic Cable,

1858

Cyrus Field & the Transatlantic Cable,

1858

Elias Howe & Isaac SingerElias Howe & Isaac Singer

1840s1840sSewing MachineSewing Machine

z They all regarded material They all regarded material advance as the natural fruit of advance as the natural fruit of American republicanism & proof American republicanism & proof of the country’s virtue and of the country’s virtue and promise.promise.

The “American Dream”The “American Dream”

A German visitor in the 1840s, A German visitor in the 1840s, Friedrich List, observed:Friedrich List, observed:

Anything new is quickly introduced Anything new is quickly introduced here, including all of the latest here, including all of the latest inventions. There is no clinging to inventions. There is no clinging to old ways. The moment an old ways. The moment an American hears the word American hears the word “invention,” he pricks up his ears.“invention,” he pricks up his ears.

Boom/Bust Cycles: 1790-1860Boom/Bust Cycles: 1790-1860

The blue line shows, for comparison, the The blue line shows, for comparison, the price of a year’s tuition at Harvard price of a year’s tuition at Harvard College. In 1790 it was $24, but by 1860 College. In 1790 it was $24, but by 1860 had risen to $104.had risen to $104.

Creating a Business-Friendly Climate

Creating a Business-Friendly ClimateSupreme Court Rulings:Supreme Court Rulings:

** Fletcher v. PeckFletcher v. Peck (1810) (1810) ** Dartmouth v. WoodwardDartmouth v. Woodward (1819)(1819) ** McCulloch v. MarylandMcCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (1819) ** Gibbons v. OgdenGibbons v. Ogden (1824) (1824) ** Charles Rivers Bridge v. Charles Rivers Bridge v. WarrenWarren Bridge Bridge (1835) (1835)General Incorporation Law General Incorporation Law passedpassed in New York, 1848. in New York, 1848.Laissez faire Laissez faire BUT, govt. did muchBUT, govt. did much to assist capitalism! to assist capitalism!

Distribution of WealthDistribution of Wealthv During the American During the American

Revolution,Revolution,45% of all wealth in the top 45% of all wealth in the top 10% of10% ofthe population.the population.

v 1845 Boston 1845 Boston top 4% owned top 4% owned overover 65% of the wealth. 65% of the wealth.v 1860 Philadelphia 1860 Philadelphia top 1% top 1% ownedowned over 50% of the wealth. over 50% of the wealth.v The gap between rich and poor The gap between rich and poor waswas widening! widening!

Polarization of Wealth in the 20c

Polarization of Wealth in the 20c

Samuel Slater(“Father of the Factory

System”)

Samuel Slater(“Father of the Factory

System”)

The Lowell/Waltham System:

First Dual-Purpose Textile Plant

The Lowell/Waltham System:

First Dual-Purpose Textile Plant

Francis Cabot Lowell’s town - 1814Francis Cabot Lowell’s town - 1814

Lowell in 1850Lowell in 1850

Lowell MillLowell Mill

Early Textile Mill Loom FloorEarly Textile Mill Loom Floor

Early Textile LoomEarly Textile Loom

New EnglandTextile

Centers:

1830s

New EnglandTextile

Centers:

1830s

New England Dominance in Textiles

New England Dominance in Textiles

Starting for LowellStarting for Lowell

Lowell GirlsLowell Girls

What was their typical What was their typical “profile?”“profile?”

Lowell Boarding HousesLowell Boarding Houses

What was boardinghouse life What was boardinghouse life like?like?

Lowell Mills Time Table

Lowell Mills Time Table

Early “Union” Newslett

er

Early “Union” Newslett

er

The Factory Girl’s GarlandThe Factory Girl’s Garland

February 20, 1845 issue.February 20, 1845 issue.

I’m a Factory Girl Filled with Wishes

I’m a Factory Girl Filled with WishesI'm a factory girlI'm a factory girl

Everyday filled with fearEveryday filled with fearFrom breathing in the poison airFrom breathing in the poison airWishing for windows!Wishing for windows!I'm a factory girlI'm a factory girlTired from the 13 hours of wok each dayTired from the 13 hours of wok each dayAnd we have such low payAnd we have such low payWishing for shorten work times!Wishing for shorten work times!I'm a factory girlI'm a factory girlNever having enough time to eatNever having enough time to eatNor to rest my feetNor to rest my feetWishing for more free time!Wishing for more free time!I'm a factory girlI'm a factory girlSick of all this harsh conditionsSick of all this harsh conditionsMaking me want to sign the petition!Making me want to sign the petition!So do what I ask for because I am a factory So do what I ask for because I am a factory girlgirlAnd I'm hereby speaking for all the rest!And I'm hereby speaking for all the rest!

Irish Immigrant Girls at LowellIrish Immigrant Girls at Lowell

The Early Union MovementThe Early Union Movement

Workingman’s Party Workingman’s Party (1829)(1829) ** Founded by Robert Dale Owen Founded by Robert Dale Owen and and others in New York City. others in New York City.Early unions were usually local, Early unions were usually local, social, and weak.social, and weak.

Commonwealth v. HuntCommonwealth v. Hunt (1842).(1842).

Worker political parties were Worker political parties were ineffective until the post-Civil ineffective until the post-Civil War period.War period.

Regional SpecializationRegional Specialization

EAST EAST IndustrialIndustrial

SOUTH SOUTH Cotton & SlaveryCotton & Slavery

WEST WEST The Nation’s The Nation’s “Breadbasket”“Breadbasket”

Know-Nothing Party:

“The Supreme

Order of the Star-

Spangled Banner”

Know-Nothing Party:

“The Supreme

Order of the Star-

Spangled Banner”

Changing Occupation Distributions:1820 - 1860

Changing Occupation Distributions:1820 - 1860

ECONOMIC?ECONOMIC?

SOCIAL?SOCIAL?

POLITICAL?POLITICAL?

FUTUREPROBLEMS?

FUTUREPROBLEMS?