Chapter 14 Forging the National Economy
The Westward Movement 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 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 cities bad conditions jobs as kitchen maids and worked on canals and railroads hated by native workers resented 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 ’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 put into operation first efficient American machinery for spinning cotton thread Eli Whitney 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