A Nation of Regions: From the Founding to 1830

The Northeast The Northeast region stretched from eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey to New England. The Northeast region stretched from eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey to New England. Small family farms dotted the landscape and produced a surplus of goods. Small family farms dotted the landscape and produced a surplus of goods. People used the barter system for economic exchanges. Cash was rare. People used the barter system for economic exchanges. Cash was rare. The demand for heating fuel quickly depleted the region’s forests. The demand for heating fuel quickly depleted the region’s forests.

The South The South stretch from Maryland to Georgia along the coast, and west to the newly forming states of Alabama and Mississippi. The South stretch from Maryland to Georgia along the coast, and west to the newly forming states of Alabama and Mississippi. Planters had experimented with a number of grains, but had little success until cotton was imported from Europe. Planters had experimented with a number of grains, but had little success until cotton was imported from Europe. The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 allowed one laborer to clean up to 50 pounds of cotton a day. The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 allowed one laborer to clean up to 50 pounds of cotton a day.

Trans-Appalachia The Trans-Appalachia region consisted of the lands west of established white settlement known as the “backcountry” or “frontier.” The Trans-Appalachia region consisted of the lands west of established white settlement known as the “backcountry” or “frontier.” Settlers, drawn by the promotions of land speculators, moved west into the region in astounding numbers between 1790 and Settlers, drawn by the promotions of land speculators, moved west into the region in astounding numbers between 1790 and 1810.

The Nation’s Cities Although most Americans lived on the land or in small villages, a growing number chose to live in the expanding cities. Although most Americans lived on the land or in small villages, a growing number chose to live in the expanding cities. The most aggressive urban growth was found in the Northeast due to established ports of commerce and booming economy. The most aggressive urban growth was found in the Northeast due to established ports of commerce and booming economy. In Trans-Appalachia, cities like Chicago and Pittsburg began to spring up along the Great Lakes and interior rivers. In Trans-Appalachia, cities like Chicago and Pittsburg began to spring up along the Great Lakes and interior rivers. Cities were relatively small, dangerous, and unhealthy. Cities were relatively small, dangerous, and unhealthy.

Indian-White Relations in the Early Republic From 1790 to 1830, the federal government established policies toward Native Americans ostensibly to integrate them into white society. From 1790 to 1830, the federal government established policies toward Native Americans ostensibly to integrate them into white society. The Indian’s refusal to view themselves as a conquered people forced the government to deal with the tribes through land treaties. The Indian’s refusal to view themselves as a conquered people forced the government to deal with the tribes through land treaties. Illegal infringement of tribal lands rarely ceased, always in the benevolent guise of education or Christianization. Illegal infringement of tribal lands rarely ceased, always in the benevolent guise of education or Christianization.

Perfecting a Democratic Society: The Revolutionary Heritage Social reform was inspired by the democratic ideals of the Revolution. Social reform was inspired by the democratic ideals of the Revolution. Americans accepted the ideal of differences in wealth or social standing but could not tolerate the suggestion that such differences made some people better than others. Americans accepted the ideal of differences in wealth or social standing but could not tolerate the suggestion that such differences made some people better than others.

Race, Slavery, and the Limits of Reform In the South, the aggressive growth of cotton cultivation made the price of slave labor skyrocket. In the South, the aggressive growth of cotton cultivation made the price of slave labor skyrocket. Antislavery appeals from abolitionists all but disappeared, even from once-vehement religious groups and the nation’s capital. Antislavery appeals from abolitionists all but disappeared, even from once-vehement religious groups and the nation’s capital. Antislavery reform also weakened in the Northeast. Antislavery reform also weakened in the Northeast.

International Conflict: The War of 1812 War Hawks of Congress had tolerated enough of Britain’s presence on American soil. War Hawks of Congress had tolerated enough of Britain’s presence on American soil. President Madison finally asked Congress for a declaration of war on June 1, President Madison finally asked Congress for a declaration of war on June 1, British forces occupied Washington in 1814, burning the Capital and presidential mansion. British forces occupied Washington in 1814, burning the Capital and presidential mansion. Hostilities ended by the Treaty of Ghent on Christmas Eve, Hostilities ended by the Treaty of Ghent on Christmas Eve, 1814.

Strengthening American Nationalism National pride during this era was shaped by the War of 1812 and the religious revivalism of the Second Great Awakening. National pride during this era was shaped by the War of 1812 and the religious revivalism of the Second Great Awakening. Also important were landmark decisions by the Supreme Court regarding judicial review and supremacy of the federal government over the states. Also important were landmark decisions by the Supreme Court regarding judicial review and supremacy of the federal government over the states.

The Specter of Sectionalism Despite the rampant nationalism following the War of 1812, political unity in the nation was fragile. Despite the rampant nationalism following the War of 1812, political unity in the nation was fragile. Most divisive was the issue of slavery in the vast, new territory west of the Mississippi River. Most divisive was the issue of slavery in the vast, new territory west of the Mississippi River. Again, a compromise avoided disaster. The new state of Missouri was admitted to the Union as a slave state and Maine was admitted as a free state. Again, a compromise avoided disaster. The new state of Missouri was admitted to the Union as a slave state and Maine was admitted as a free state.