1. America’s History Seventh Edition
James A. Henretta
Rebecca Edwards
Robert O. Self
America’s History Seventh Edition
CHAPTER 8
Creating a Republican Culture
Copyright © 2011 by Bedford/St. Martin’s

2. I. The Capitalist Commonwealth
Banks, Manufacturing, and Markets
1. Banking and Credit-Panic of 1819-caused by worldwide drop in crop prices, speculation, and not enough specie to cover paper money
2. Rural Manufacturing
Building a Transportation Infrastructure-necessary for trade routes
1. By Land-turnpikes ex. Lancaster Turnpike in PA.
2. By Water-canals
The Capitalist Commonwealth
Banks, Manufacturing, and Markets
Banking and Credit – many Americans believed republicanism should advance capitalism; to finance economic ventures people needed banks; Boston and New York founded institutions similar to the Bank of the U.S., which issued notes and commercial loans; 1816 Congress chartered Second Bank of the U.S., joining 246 banks in the nation; not all banking institutions were trustworthy; Panic of 1819 caused by “dubious” banking policies and a 30% drop in agricultural prices; Americans were learning the dangers of the up and down capitalist “business cycle.”
Rural Manufacturing – by 1820 many small artisans were selling their products nationwide; rural manufacturing networks aided in this process; innovations in production and marketing; water-powered mills in New England and the Middle Atlantic states (1780s) increased output; some farmers began to change their focus; in New England a switch from growing crops for subsistence to raising livestock to sell; environmental repercussions: unwanted production-induced smells, cutting down of trees, mills inhibited the existence of fish; wage labor became increasingly important.
Building a Transportation Infrastructure
By Land – states issued charters for “turnpike companies” with special rights to transportation routes; improved transportation would aid in the distribution of products; creation of roads.
By Water – quickest and cheapest way to transport goods; land near waterways became increasingly expensive; speculators bought up land in small cities with waterways: Cincinnati, Louisville, Chattanooga, St. Louis.

3. I. The Capitalist Commonwealth
Public Enterprise: The Commonwealth System
1. “Public Utility”-state legislatures granted charters to build roads, bridges, and canals to improve the “common wealth” of its citizens
2. Critics
The Capitalist Commonwealth
Public Enterprise: The Commonwealth System
“Public Utility” – increased production, transportation methods would add to the “common wealth” or “public utility”; transportation charters included the power of “eminent domain” (allowing the forced sale of land along routes).
Critics – some argued that statutes like eminent domain gave privileges to corporations and violated the rights of individuals; Supreme Court upheld these statutes as good for all.

4. II. Toward a Democratic Republican Culture
Opportunity and Equality – for White Men
1. Social Divisions-talent and hard work could lead to social mobility
2. Discrimination- eliminated property qualifications for white men-expansion of universal white male suffrage but no voting rights or property ownership for blacks or women
Toward a Democratic Republican Culture
Opportunity and Equality – for White Men
Social Divisions – an emerging middle class after the new nation was formed publicly celebrated political equality and social mobility; European visitors viewed the U.S. as different culturally and socially from Europe; no aristocracy in their view; social division did exist as some used their talents to achieve personal advancement; some criticized the nouveau riche who seemed to grow their own wealth/rise from nothing; reality was that great majority of those who achieved success were white and male.
Discrimination – laws in the new nation and cultural rules long existent in Europe kept women and African American men from advancing as white men did; race and gender restrictions were written into law keeping women and black men/women from being able to vote (suffrage), own property; politicians used both biology and custom to make their discriminatory arguments.

6. II. Toward a Democratic Republican Culture
Toward a Republican Marriage System
Sentimentalism-romantic love of the heart over financial logic
Companionate Marriage-women became an equal partner in marriage
Toward a Democratic Republican Culture
Toward a Republican Marriage System
The Impact of Sentimentalism – debate within American households over authority and political rights; post-war Americans did not arrange marriages for children as colonial parents had when land was abundant; “sentimentalism”: importance of feeling or appreciation of God, nature, other human(s); consent-based marriage; relationships based on intimacy; celebration of “falling in love.”
Companionate Marriage – marriages based on love; in theory they were supposed to be more republican, reality was that husbands remained authoritarian; after 1800 divorce petitions mentioned emotional turmoil in marriages, sometimes drunkenness and personal cruelty. 6

7. II. Toward a Democratic Republican Culture
Republican Motherhood-mothers responsible for raising boys of good character
1. Demographic Transition-sharp decline in birthrate-fewer children meant more time spent with kids
2. Christian Thought-women are more spiritual and nurturing to the spirit
Toward a Democratic Republican Culture
Republican Motherhood
Demographic Transition – by 1790s northern states’ birthrate was declining; native-born white women were having fewer children; U.S. first nation to experience “demographic transition” caused by: 1) decrease in the number of men in the East because of single men migrating to the West, 2) later marriage for women meant fewer children, 3) white couples were deliberately limiting family size to be better able to provide for children (abstinence and birth control).
Christian Thought – by 1800 Protestant ministers were blaming men for the sexual misconduct of women; claimed women were pure and spiritual by nature; Benjamin Rush called for “republican mothers” to instruct their sons to be better citizens; ministers embraced Rush’s ideas; instead of seeking the vote, women should care for children.

8. II. Toward a Democratic Republican Culture
Raising Republican Children
1. Two Modes of Parenting-Authoritarian and Permissive-treated with more equality and respect
2. Debates over Education-ordinary citizens saw little need for education beyond the three R’s-eventually education reformers improved educational standards and used American history to teach patriotism and moral lessons
3. Promoting Cultural Independence-Webster and Irving
Toward a Democratic Republican Culture
D. Raising Republican Children
Two Modes of Parenting – unlike Europeans, who generally left property to eldest son, Americans were now encouraged to divide their property equally; parenting among the middle class appeared to observers more permissive than traditional European practices; yeoman and tenant farmers tended toward a stricter approach with authoritarian practices.
Debates over Education – post-Revolution emphasis on public schooling increased significantly; among the elite the importance of primary, secondary, and potentially college training emphasized; most American families needed the income their children could provide; farmers, artisans, laborers wanted their children to know how to read, write, and do basic math; until the 1820s few children attended school for extended periods of time; post-1820s legislatures included provisions for public schools in local areas.
Promoting Cultural Independence – Noah Webster argued that education should raise the “nation’s intellectual reputation”; literary culture was slow to catch on; only Washington Irving was popular outside of the U.S. (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow); 1830s/40s an “American Renaissance” (Emerson). 8

9. Have students examine this image and the following one.
1. Examine these depictions of two American families.
(Answers: The Cheneys: large family, appears to be either parents with several children, including a married daughter, her husband, children and siblings, all members of the family are well-dressed; no indication of father’s business/trade. The Caverlys: father, mother, son, daughter; father engaged in reading the newspaper with son at his feet holding a square; mother holds baby girl whose hand is on a book (possibly the Bible); all eyes look upon the father, behind them a painting of a home draped in garland; all members of the family are well-dressed, parents are seated upon nice furnishings.)
2. Based on these images, what can we infer about changes in American family life from the eighteenth to the nineteenth century?
(Answers: smaller families; mother linked to the home and religion; increased importance of the father’s role both within the family and in his position as family’s representative outside of the home, hence his concern for the happenings in the outside world as he reads the newspaper.)

10. Have students examine this image and the previous one.
1. Examine these depictions of two American families.
(Answers: The Cheneys: large family, appears to be either parents with several children, including a married daughter, her husband, children and siblings, all members of the family are well-dressed; no indication of father’s business/trade. The Caverlys: father, mother, son, daughter; father engaged in reading the newspaper with son at his feet holding a square; mother holds baby girl whose hand is on a book (possibly the Bible); all eyes look upon the father, behind them a painting of a home draped in garland; all members of the family are well-dressed, parents are seated upon nice furnishings.)
2. Based on these images, what can we infer about changes in American family life from the eighteenth to the nineteenth century?
(Answers: smaller families; mother linked to the home and religion; increased importance of the father’s role both within the family and in his position as family’s representative outside of the home, hence his concern for the happenings in the outside world as he reads the newspaper.)

11. III. Aristocratic Republicanism and Slavery
The Revolution and Slavery, p252
1. Manumission and Gradual Emancipation
2. Slavery Defended-property rights of slave owners more important than emancipation of slaves-”A necessary evil”-”The peculiar institution”
The North and South Grow Apart
1. Slavery and National Politics-White men in South reluctant to do manual labor-South needed to dominate government for slavery to continue
2. African Americans Speak Out-American Colonization Society-humanitarian solution to slavery-Henry Clay and James Madison.
Aristocratic Republicanism and Slavery
The Revolution and Slavery,
Manumission and Gradual Emancipation – one-third of population of South were slaves; some believed that the Revolution would end slavery; many black Loyalists fled to Canada at war’s end; others stayed in the States supporting the Patriots; free blacks in New England volunteered for service; some slaves in Maryland and Virginia bargained service in local militias for postwar freedom; 1782 Virginia manumission act allowed for the release of slaves by their owners; condemnation of slavery by Quakers and Enlightenment thinkers increased after war; 1784 Massachusetts abolished slavery; all states north of Delaware followed by 1804; some states promised freedom after a period of service; even where slavery was abolished discrimination continued.
Slavery Defended – financial investment in slaves made linking republicanism to their condition difficult for most slaveholders; some did release slaves or allow them to buy freedom; slavery a “necessary evil” in the South, most contended; maintenance of white supremacy and planter lifestyle critical; 1800 a planned uprising by Gabriel Prosser (VA) resulted in him and 30 others being hanged; increased argument among southerners that republicanism was meant for whites only.
The North and South Grow Apart
Slavery and National Politics – foreign visitors noticed distinct cultural differences between North and South; during Constitution debate it was accepted that Congress not interfere in slavery; a growing national issue of debate; slave trade outlawed by Congress in 1808 but the institution remained.
African Americans Speak Out – black abolitionists became more vocal after trade ended; used the Haitian Revolution as evidence of the ability of a people to overthrow the institution; creation of secret anti-slavery societies; demand continued to increase with cotton demand; 1817 formation of the American Colonization Society by white men with the goal of freeing the slaves and sending them back to Africa; approx. 6,000 re-settled in Liberia; free blacks opposed colonization.

13. III. Aristocratic Republicanism and Slavery
The Missouri Crisis, wanted to be admitted as a slave state
The Tallmadge Amendment-would approve statehood only with slavery restrictions-caused a negative uproar among slave states
1. Constitutional Issues-states rights and property rights more important then emancipation
2. Missouri Compromise 1820-Henry Clay
What were the terms of the Missouri Compromise? What precedent was set?
(admit free then slave to keep balance of power)
Aristocratic Republicanism and Slavery
The Missouri Crisis,
Constitutional Issues – debate over whether Missouri would enter the union as a slave state; northern congressional majority blocked attempts to allow slavery in its constitution; southerners threatened to keep Maine from entering the union as a free state; southerners argued 1) equal rights (Missouri could not be held to a different standard than other new states), 2) Constitution guaranteed state sovereignty, 3) Congress could not infringe on rights of slaveholders who wanted to live in Missouri.
A Compromise – Henry Clay drafted a compromise after two years of debate; Maine would be admitted free (1820) and Missouri would be slave (1821); preserved a balance between North and South but also created a precedent for future admissions.

16. IV. Protestant Christianity as a Social Force
A Republican Religious Order
1. Religious Freedom-end of legal status of Anglican Church 1776 ; Jefferson in Virginia Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom
2. Church-State Relations- state governments indirectly supported churches but only protestant denominations p259
Unitarian religion developed in New England from Deism-believed in Supreme Being but not divinity of Jesus-believed everyone could get in heaven from good works
B. The Second Great Awakening
1. Evangelical Churches-Baptist and Methodist-egalitarian religious culture-back country revivals-
2. Black Christianity- Owners encouraged to spread Christianity among Slaves many converted from their tribal religions-enslaved blacks identified with Jews of the old testament
Protestant Christianity as a Social Force
A Republican Religious Order
Religious Freedom – prior to the Revolution only Rhode Island and Pennsylvania did not have state churches/religious taxes; postwar other states debated religious tolerance and an end to such taxation; newer states did offer religious tolerance because they had members of many different denominations; Congregationalism in New England until the 1830s.
Church-State Relations – Virginia prohibited religion as a qualification for holding office; other states disqualified candidates who were Catholics and/or Jews; Enlightenment thinking influenced states to advocate freedom of conscience and encouraged “voluntarism” (funding churches through membership).
The Second Great Awakening
Evangelical Churches -- Methodist and Baptist most popular churches during decade-long series of revivals; Baptists had self-governing congregations; Baptists and Methodists had egalitarian services; Massachusetts and northern New England developed a new sect, Universalists; camp meetings in South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky offered a message of religious fellowship to believers; spoke in simple language with great style and gestures; in South ministers angered planters by criticizing slavery; eventually they would modify their message to fit southern culture: pro-slave and authoritarian white males in society/household.
Black Christianity – some planters were convinced to allow Christianity to spread among their slaves; over time free blacks and the enslaved adapted these teachings to their own beliefs, teaching that as slaves they had a special relationship with the Christian God.

19. IV. Protestant Christianity as a Social Force
Religion and Reform-”religious benevolence”- salvation achieved through good works-inspired reform movements of Antebellum Era
1. Benevolence and Reform-in contrast to 1st Great Awakening, 2nd GA inspired cooperation among denominations
2. In Political Life-some wanted U.S. to become a Christian nation-”elect only Christian leaders”
Women’s New Religious Roles
A Growing Public Presence-women became active in social reform(important point about the Second GA)
Spiritual Authority vs. Political Power-some in society wanted America to be run by Christians and combine church and state
Protestant Christianity as a Social Force
Religion and Reform
Benevolence and Reform – some ministers linked individual salvation to religious benevolence, preaching of a duty to do for others; founding of the Humane Society in NYC and other such organizations; common among devout women to adopt a charitable causes in their community; cooperation among churches led to the founding of religious societies to produce pamphlets and disseminate information.
In Political Life -- religion increasingly important in political life of the nation even as it became separate from the state; some ministers advocated the election of Christian leaders and converting non-Christians in the U.S. and abroad.
Women’s New Religious Roles
A Growing Public Presence – numerous public activities of women in mainstream churches gave females the opportunity to participate in an acceptable arena of public life (charity); some congregations were as much as 70% female; ministers stopped segregating men and women in prayer groups and instead encouraged them to pray together; ministers argued that these men and women showed surprising restraint in their sexual relationships; decrease in the number of women pregnant at marriage in these communities.
Spiritual Authority vs. Political Power – in both North and South men feared the power women were gaining within the churches; women were prevented from being voting members of churches even when they outnumbered male church participation; ministers and husbands encouraged them to focus on being mothers; this participation did encourage more girls to attend school as the churches sponsored female academies for academic and moral instruction; women educated in these schools became school teachers in the 1820s.

20. 1. Describe this woman and her actions.
(Answer: Appears to be of African-American descent, well-dressed, standing at a lectern of some kind, open book in front, arm raised in emphasis of a point about which she is speaking to an audience.)
2. What makes this image of Mrs. Tillman unusual for the 19th century?
(Answer: a black female addressing an audience would have been controversial even in audiences comprised entirely of African Americans; her race and gender would have made opportunity to do as such extremely limited.)