Westward Expansion &The Market Revolution 1815-1840

Movement Westward Increased Westward movement following War of 1812 Louisiana Purchase open to settlement Soldiers had been offered land incentives for enlistment Indian tribes were now vulnerable to settlers British/Spanish had attempted to protect Western Indians Indian tribes will be repeatedly pushed further West and on to reservations By 1840 1/3 American population between Appalachian mountains and Mississippi river Western settlers will develop a unique society Eastern society rejected by Western values Provided a safety valve for democracy (F.J. Turner)

Movement Westward Federal government reduces the price of Western lands Agricultural Boom Increased European demand for American food crops American prices increase rapidly Increases settlement near transportation corridors Demand for cotton increases Southern expansion Beginning of the Cotton Kingdom England’s industrial revolution increases demand Eli Whitney’s cotton gin increases profitability Unintended consequences Prevents the disappearance of slavery Slavery becomes deeply entrenched in Southern economy

Movement Westward Transportation Revolution Facilitated Westward movement Steamboats Drastically decreased time to market and price of river transportation Made the development of canals feasible Canals Golden age of canals 1820-1830 Erie Canal 1825 Railroads 1830’s on replace canals Will revolutionize transportation in the next two decades

Market Economy Shift from an exchange and subsistence economy to one controlled by market pressures Shift in farming Many farmers abandon subsistence farming Farmers favor cash crops Prices vary wildly and determined by the market Many farmers borrow money to sustain themselves during short term difficulties Additional cash in the economy and specialization of farming methods encouraged industrialization

Market Economy Rise of industrialization Mass production will replace hand produced goods Causes of Industrialization American industry developed in isolation Embargo Act Protective tariffs Revolutions in agriculture/transportation allowed Western markets to purchase mass produced goods Immigration British immigrants stole technology from English mills Other immigrant groups would supply a labor force Abundant raw materials

Market Economy Lowell and Waltham Radically change the ideas of industry in America Massachusetts textile mills Workers were primarily young girls Supplement farm economy Dramatically increase independence Women lived on sight Created reliable labor force Harsh work environment Long hours Difficult conditions Low wages Provided a model for future industrial growth

Market Economy Rise of the Cities (factors) Most rapid urbanization in American history 1820-1860 Transportation networks Immigration Industrialization Class Conflict Industrialization created a growing disparity between rich and poor Industrial workers made up a visible lower class Independent farmers and artisans struggled to maintain the “middling classes” Many disappeared into the lowest classes Increasing emphasis on individualism