Chapter 9 Transformation of American Society

Quick Review of Dates French and Indian War? American Revolution? War of 1812?

Change was happening Most were farmers, rode horses, didn’t live in cities Yet, life was changing: by 1840, many farmers moved west Westward migration happened after the war of 1812 No longer subsistence farming: transportation now available meant distant markets available Alternatives to farming meant that families and social relationships were changing

Life in the West Successive economic and social changes Improvements in transportation 1825: Erie Canal completed Consequently the development of towns and cities

Innovations: 1790: Samuel Slater opened his first Rhode Island mill for the production of cotton yarn 1793: Eli Whitney: Cotton Gin 1807: Robert Fulton introduced the steamboat Clermont on the Hudson River 1811: Construction of the National Road 1817: Erie Canal started 1834: First Strike at Lowell

Market Economy In 1790: most lived on East coast Now in 1840: 1/3rd lived between Appalachians and Mississippi River Fur traders worked along the Missouri River The west was advertised as “all east, tranquility, comfort” when it was really harsh Pioneers migrated as families, clustered near rivers, were sociable

Federal Government and West Northwest Ordinance of 1787 allowed for the creation of states Louisiana Purchase 1803 brought Mississippi River Transcontinental Treaty of 1819 took out Spanish control of area

Land Grants by Government War of 1812 soldiers repaid with land National Road authorized 1816 Misery for the Native Americans

Removal of Indians 5 civilized tribes: Cherokees, Choctaws, Creeks, Chickasaws, and Seminoles Monroe and Adams asked for their “voluntary” removal 1830’s Jackson passed Indian Removal act which took 100 million acres of Native American land Bitter war ensued with Seminoles, cost $20 million “Trail of Tears”

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831) Andrew Jackson had forced them to leave But Cherokee nation took their case to the Supreme Court Cherokee Nation v. Georgia 1831 Worcester v. Georgia: Indians are distinct political community with rights.

This was Federalism tested John Marshall had sided with the Native Americans Jackson sneered: “John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.”

The Faces of Industrialization Waltham and Lowell mills turned out finished products, where before it had been cottage manufacturing: carding and spinning into yarn by Slater 80% of workforce: were young unmarried women who were “wage slaves” Strict rules: housing, church, food restricted

Equality and Inequality Antebellum America: gap between rich and poor widened Small fraction of people in cities owned 59% of wealth “Rags-to-Riches” story: John Jacob Astor: built a fur-trading empire

The Poor The Irish were “expiring from the want of sustenance”, fleeing the Famine They were Catholics, despised by Protestant majority

The Poor Free Blacks in the North: prejudice deeply engrained Slavery had largely disappeared by 1820 due to Missouri Compromise Yet, right to vote restricted in various ways: 1.Needed to own property 2. Segregated facilities