CHAPTER 14 Forging the National Economy, 1790–1860

Theme #1 The importance of the West grew in the early nineteenth century. Cheap land attracted immigrants and natives alike, and, after some technological innovations, the West became an agricultural giant. The increased output also spurred transportation developments to tie this developing region to the rest of the United States.

Inventions Agricultural Innovation (1st Industrial Rev) Cyrus McCormick, John Deere Communication and Transportation Innovation (American System) Samuel F. B. Morse Lancaster Turnpike Pony Express Erie Canal

Transportation revolution’s effect on the Western Frontier: the landscape, the people, the American Indians Discussion Question: What is the general affect of transportation expansion into the West?

The Wildness of the West George Caitlin, Ralph Waldo Emerson, James Fenimore Cooper, Herman Melville Fredrick Jackson Turner’s Frontier Thesis Discussion Question: How did they portray the West? Who’s interpretation is the most accurate? Why?

Theme #2 In the era of Jacksonian democracy, the American population grew rapidly and changed in character. More people lived in the raw West and in the expanding cities, and immigrant groups like the Irish and Germans added their labor power to America’s economy, sometimes arousing hostility from native-born Americans in the process.

New Immigrants “Black Forties” (Irish) Forty-Eighters (Germans) Discussion Question: What was the effect of immigrants on the West ?

Response from American-born citizens Nativism Gangs of New York – Nativists vs. Irish Immigrants William the Butcher and the Democratic political machine in NYC Movie Trailer Ending Discussion Question: What was the effect of immigrants on the East (North)? What was the effect of immigrants in the South?

Theme #3 In the early nineteenth century, the American economy developed the beginnings of industrialization. The greatest advances occurred in transportation, as canals and railroads bound the Union together into a continental economy with strong regional specialization.

Industrial Revolution Samuel Slater Eli Whitney “King Cotton” Elias Howe Isaac Singer

“wage slaves” trade unions factory girls “cult of domesticity” Discussion Question: How are the North, South and West connected together by these Industrial innovations?

Transportation Revolution Lancaster Turnpike, Erie Canal, Clermont and Robert Fulton Order of the Star Clipper Ships

Discussion Questions: What was the specific impact of Railroads on the West? What was the Impact of faster shipping to and from the West?

Market Revolution Interchangeable parts and mass production create the changes in manufacturing Transportation revolution and changes in volume of production result in an expanded market for production Industrial revolution changes the economy

Final Discussion Question: What is the overall effect of a Market Revolution in the North, South, East and West?