Life in the New Republic

Crossing the Appalachians

Rapid Population Growth ► 2.7 million in 1780—12 million in 1830 ► 10% of growth from immigration ► 90% of growth from an increase in the # of children born to a family ► Median age was 17 by 1820

Settling the West ► As the population grew, Americans settled western lands. ► Life was difficult on the frontier, especially the first year. ► Daniel Boone  Famous frontiersman in the trans-Appalachian area.  He led the expedition to cut the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap.

Daniel Boone

► Florida  Pinckney Treaty ► Left Florida in Spain’s control ► Spain and the US were to control the natives in their territories and keep them from attacking the other country’s territory.  Seminoles ► 1810s began attacking Southern Georgia ► Andrew Jackson was charged with the defense of Georgia

Andrew Jackson

A Seminole Woman

► Jackson boasted, “Let it be signified to me that the possession of the Floridas would be desirable to the United States, and in 60 days it will be accomplished.” ► Jackson attacked the Seminoles and entered West Florida and took all of the western territory ► Sec. of State John Quincy Adams accused Spain of breaking the Pinckney Treaty. ► Spain ceded East and West Florida and the Spanish Northwest. The US now stretched from ocean to ocean.

John Quincy Adams

Inventions and Innovations

The Spirit of Improvement ► Americans grew to believe that all could improve themselves with education. ► Noah Webster developed the first dictionary of American English. ► States began to require free public education for all children. ► Schools promoted Republicans Virtues (ie- honesty, good citizenship, etc.)

Noah Webster

The Industrial Revolution ► The Revolution began in Britain and spread to the US. ► The British tried to keep all the new technology in Britain.  Samuel Slater ► Worked as an apprentice in a textile mill and memorized how the machinery worked. ► He emigrated to America and reproduced the mill. ► This caused the American textile industry to boom.

Samuel Slater

► American Innovations  Interchangeable Parts—Eli Whitney  Cotton Gin—Eli Whitney ► Effects  Cotton profits skyrocketed.  Planters began to depend on cotton.  Planters looked for more land to plant cotton on.  Planters bought more slaves to work the land.

Cotton Gin

Transportation Revolution ► Steam Power  Robert Fulton successfully adapted the steam engine to a boat.  Riverboats became widely used in the US. ► Canals  Americans began to build canals to connect important waterways. ► Roads  Americans began to build more roads and better roads.

Robert Fulton

Clermont

► Railroads—1828 The construction of the first American railroad began in Baltimore, Maryland.

Society and Religion

Society ► Society became mobile because people were not tied to the land. ► People began to encounter more strangers so rituals like the duel were more common. ► Courtships also became longer because mobility made the character of an individual less certain.

Religion ► 1790 Census showed that 1 in 10 Americans was a member of a church. ► The Great Awakening  Began in Kentucky and Tennessee  Evangelical movement that taught: ► Scripture is the final authority. ► Salvation comes only through a personal belief in Jesus Christ. ► People demonstrate true faith through a transformed life.

 Democratic Movement ► Emphasized the congregation and not the minister  Produced new Denominations ► Baptists—baptized by immersion ► Methodists—founded by John Wesley ► Unitarians—believed Christ was only a human messenger of God, not divine. ► Mormons—founded by Joseph Smith; based on a book that Smith said an Angel revealed to him; also known as “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints” ► Millennialists—believed America was leading the world into the Millennial Reign of Christ.