Chapter 10. The Changing American Population Most American farmers were part of a national and...

Chapter 10

The Changing American

Population

• Most American farmers were part of a national and increasingly international market economy

• The northeast and the northwest were developing a complex, modern economy and society which was increasingly dominated by large cities.

The Changing American Population

• Southern agriculture, particularly cotton farming, flourished as never before in response to the growing demand from textile mills in New England. The south was resisting strong economic development and defending their dependence on slavery.


• The United States needed a population that was large enough to grow its own food and produce a work force. Transportation and communications system capable of sustaining commerce over a large geographical area.

• From 1820-1840 the American population increased, became centered in the Northeastern and Northwestern industrial centers, provided the labor force for the factory system


• In 1790 the American population stood at only 4 million. By 1820 it had reached 20 million. By 1840 it equaled 27 million. The United States was growing much more rapidly than Britain or Europe.

• Population increasing, migrating westward, moving to towns and cities.


• Improvements in public health (the number of epidemics {such as the great cholera plague of 1832} which had periodically decimated urban and even rural populations),

• High birth rate- rapidly revived beginning in the 1830’s. The total population nearly 13 million, the foreign population was less that 500,000


• Immigration boom- By 1832 the immigration climbed to 60,000 and nearly 80,000 in 1837. Increased by reduced transportation costs and increasing economic opportunities. The deteriorating conditions in Europe also helped.


Population Growth 1620-1860

Immigration 1820-1840


• Influx of Irish Catholics- The increased immigration brought a wave of immigrants from Southern Ireland. Marked the beginning of a tremendous influx of Irish Catholics that was to continue through the three decades before the civil war.


• The agricultural regions in New England and other areas grew less profitable, more and more people picked up stakes and moved- some to promising agricultural regions in the west, but more to the eastern cities.


• New York became largest city as a result of natural harbor and Erie Canal, which gave unrivaled access to the interior, liberal state laws

• By 1860: 26% of the population of free states was living in towns or cities

• In the Northwest once small trading posts became major cities; St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati


American Population Density, 1820

American Population Density, 1860


• Immigrants came from England, France, Italy, Scandinavia, Poland and Holland, but most came from Ireland and Germany

• In Germany economic dislocations of the industrial revolution caused widespread poverty, the collapse of liberal revolutions led to social unrest

• In Ireland the oppressiveness and unpopularity of the English drove people to emigrate, Potato Famine (1845 – 1849) one million people died of starvation and disease and led to immigration to the US


Sources of Immigration 1820-40 Sources of Immigration 1840-60


• Native American Association was formed to combat the "alien menace", agitating against immigration in 1837, held a convention in Philadelphia


• Supreme Order of the Star-Spangled Banner endorsed a list of demands, included banning Catholics from holding public office, restrictive naturalization laws, literacy test for voting- secret password "I know nothing"

• The Know Nothings created the new political organization known as the American Party, contributed to the collapse of the existing party system, creation of new national political alignments


• The Irish settled in eastern cities, provided unskilled labor, many young single women came over and found jobs in factories

• The Germans moved on to the Northwest, became farmers or went into business in the western towns, they had more money, came as members of family groups or as single men


• American views of immigration - welcome supply of cheap labor, move into regions to expand population and market for land, resulted in an increase in political influence of western states


• Nativism – a defense of native born people and hostility to the foreign-born, thought they were inferior, newcomers were socially unfit to live alongside people of older stock, were stealing jobs from native labor force, Whigs outraged because so many new comers were voting Democratic, feared they would bring new radical ideas into national life

Transportation, Communication and Transportation, Communication and

TechnologyTechnology In the 1820's and 30's America began to In the 1820's and 30's America began to

turn to other ways of transportation other turn to other ways of transportation other than roads, steamboats grew in number than roads, steamboats grew in number and improved in design. Steamboats were and improved in design. Steamboats were used to transport corn and wheat of used to transport corn and wheat of northwestern farmers and the cotton and northwestern farmers and the cotton and tobacco of the south to New Orleans tobacco of the south to New Orleans where oceangoing ships took the cargoes where oceangoing ships took the cargoes to eastern ports.to eastern ports.

Transportation, Communication and Transportation, Communication and TechnologyTechnology

Farmers would pay less to transport their Farmers would pay less to transport their goods, and consumers would pay less to goods, and consumers would pay less to consume them if they could ship them consume them if they could ship them directly eastward to market, rather than by directly eastward to market, rather than by the roundabout river-sea route, New York the roundabout river-sea route, New York first to finance canalsfirst to finance canals


A team of 4 horses could haul on and a A team of 4 horses could haul on and a half tons of goods eighteen miles a day on half tons of goods eighteen miles a day on the turnpikes. The canals could transport the turnpikes. The canals could transport the goods much faster. Canals connected the goods much faster. Canals connected the eastern markets with the western the eastern markets with the western goods. goods.

The job of digging the canals fell to the The job of digging the canals fell to the states. De Witt Clinton, a late supporter to states. De Witt Clinton, a late supporter to the cause became governor in 1817. the cause became governor in 1817. Digging in New York began in 1817. Digging in New York began in 1817.


The Erie Canal was the greatest The Erie Canal was the greatest construction project Americans had ever construction project Americans had ever undertaken, within 7 years tolls had repaid undertaken, within 7 years tolls had repaid its entire cost of construction, gave NY its entire cost of construction, gave NY direct access to Chicago and growing direct access to Chicago and growing markets of the west. It went through 350 markets of the west. It went through 350 miles of the high ridges of the Appalachian miles of the high ridges of the Appalachian Mountains Mountains

The Erie Canal Changes The Erie Canal Changes AmericaAmerica


The canal gave New York direct access to The canal gave New York direct access to Chicago and the growing markets of the Chicago and the growing markets of the west. The system of water transportation west. The system of water transportation grew when the Erie Canal was connected grew when the Erie Canal was connected to the Ohio River. to the Ohio River.


Some states didn’t bother with canals; Some states didn’t bother with canals; Boston made no attempt to connect to the Boston made no attempt to connect to the west. Baltimore and Philadelphia had the west. Baltimore and Philadelphia had the challenge of the Allegheny Mountains; challenge of the Allegheny Mountains; efforts were made with discouraging efforts were made with discouraging results. results.

Resulted in increased white settlement in Resulted in increased white settlement in the Northwest, made it easier for migrants the Northwest, made it easier for migrants to make the westward journey and ship to make the westward journey and ship goods back to marketgoods back to market


Canals in the NE, 1823-1860


Railroads took a secondary role in the Railroads took a secondary role in the 1820’s and 30’s. Railroad pioneers laid the 1820’s and 30’s. Railroad pioneers laid the groundwork in those years for the great groundwork in those years for the great surge of railroad building in mid century. surge of railroad building in mid century.

Eventually railroads became the primary Eventually railroads became the primary transportation system for the U.S. and transportation system for the U.S. and remained so until 1956 (Interstate remained so until 1956 (Interstate Highways); railroads were even reaching Highways); railroads were even reaching west of the Mississippiwest of the Mississippi


Competition with the canals- The Competition with the canals- The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company blocked the advance of the B&O Railroad blocked the advance of the B&O Railroad through the narrow gorge of the upper through the narrow gorge of the upper Potomac. New York prohibited railroads Potomac. New York prohibited railroads from hauling freight in competition with the from hauling freight in competition with the Erie Canal. Erie Canal.


Trunk Lines were a consolidation of short lines Trunk Lines were a consolidation of short lines into longer lines, four major railroad trunk lines into longer lines, four major railroad trunk lines had crossed the Appalachian barrier to connect had crossed the Appalachian barrier to connect the Northeast with the Northwest and Chicago the Northeast with the Northwest and Chicago became the rail center of the westbecame the rail center of the west

The results of these Trunk Lines lessened The results of these Trunk Lines lessened dependence of the west on the Mississippi, dependence of the west on the Mississippi, helped weaken further the connection between helped weaken further the connection between the South and Northwest, diverted traffic from the South and Northwest, diverted traffic from the main water routesthe main water routes


Sources of funding for these Trunk Lines Sources of funding for these Trunk Lines were private American investors, railroad were private American investors, railroad companies borrowed from abroad, local companies borrowed from abroad, local governments-in the form of loans, stock governments-in the form of loans, stock subscriptions, subsidies and donations of subscriptions, subsidies and donations of land for right-of way, also federal land for right-of way, also federal government in the form of land grantsgovernment in the form of land grants


By 1853 four major railroad trunk lines had By 1853 four major railroad trunk lines had crossed the Appalachian barrier to connect crossed the Appalachian barrier to connect the Northeast with the Northwest. New the Northeast with the Northwest. New York Central and New York and Erie. The York Central and New York and Erie. The Pennsylvania railroad connected Pennsylvania railroad connected Philadelphia and Pittsburg. The Baltimore Philadelphia and Pittsburg. The Baltimore and Ohio connected Baltimore with the and Ohio connected Baltimore with the Ohio RiverOhio River


By 1860, Congress had allotted over 30 million By 1860, Congress had allotted over 30 million acres to 11 states to help with railroad acres to 11 states to help with railroad constructionconstruction

Railroad Growth, 1850-1860


Samuel F.B. Morse perfected the Samuel F.B. Morse perfected the telegraph in 1844 allowing instant telegraph in 1844 allowing instant communication between distant cities, communication between distant cities, lines were strung along railroad tracks lines were strung along railroad tracks making the telegraph more common in the making the telegraph more common in the North, by 1860 most lines were part of the North, by 1860 most lines were part of the Western Union Telegraph Company and Western Union Telegraph Company and were being utilized by the Associated were being utilized by the Associated Press which was dominated by Northern Press which was dominated by Northern newspapers that were national in scope.newspapers that were national in scope.


Transmitted from Transmitted from Baltimore to Baltimore to Washington the news Washington the news of James K. Polk’s of James K. Polk’s nomination for the nomination for the presidency. presidency.

1846- Richard Hoe 1846- Richard Hoe invented the steam invented the steam cylinder rotary press cylinder rotary press making it possibly to making it possibly to print newspapers print newspapers rapidly and cheaply. rapidly and cheaply.


In New York there were Horace Greeley’s In New York there were Horace Greeley’s “Tribune”, James Gordon Bennett’s “Tribune”, James Gordon Bennett’s “Herald” and Henry J. Raymond’s “Time.” “Herald” and Henry J. Raymond’s “Time.” All gave serious attention to national and All gave serious attention to national and international events with significant international events with significant circulations beyond New York City. circulations beyond New York City.


1840’s and 50’s journalism helped to feed 1840’s and 50’s journalism helped to feed sectional discord. Most of the major sectional discord. Most of the major magazines were in the north, reinforcing magazines were in the north, reinforcing the South’s sense of subjugation. The the South’s sense of subjugation. The South had a few minor newspapers with South had a few minor newspapers with focused on local news. The combined focused on local news. The combined circulation of the Tribune and the Herald circulation of the Tribune and the Herald exceeded that of all the daily newspapers exceeded that of all the daily newspapers published in the south. published in the south.

Commerce and Industry

• By the mid-1800s the U.S. had developed the beginnings of a modern capitalist economy with an advanced industrial capacity that created enormous wealth

• Consumers – In cities there came to be stores that specialized in groceries, dry goods, hardware, etc, in smaller towns people depended on general stores, and rural areas barter was still common


• Businesses were mostly limited partnerships that were dominated by great merchant capitalists (Vanderbilt) that had sole ownership of their enterprises

• Corporations which combined the resources of a large number of shareholders began to develop rapidly during the 1830’s when legal obstacles to their formation were removed


• States began to pass general incorporation laws under which a company could get a charter by simply paying a fee, as opposed to getting a charter through a special act of the state legislature as was previously the case, also these new incorporation laws granted limited liability to shareholders which meant that they were only responsible for their investments not the liability of the company as a whole


• As a result, these new corporations accumulated much larger amounts of capital and made possible much larger manufacturing a business enterprises, however there was not enough available credit to handle the needs of these growing businesses so economic instability was a fact of life


• The Government had alone could issue official currency (gold or silver) or paper notes backed by gold and silver. The emergence of corporations caused a demand for more money. Banks began to issue unofficial currency that circulated in the same way.


• The rise of the factory before the War of 1812 was the most profound development of the mid nineteenth century.

• Most manufacturing took place in private households or individually operated workshops.


• The Factory System which brought textile manufacturing under a single roof started in New England began to spread to other geographic areas and to other areas of industry (shoes), however of the 140,000 manufacturing establishments in the U.S. in 1860, 74,000 were located in the Northeast and those factories produced 2/3 of the manufactured goods in the U.S., also of the 1.3 million factory workers in the U.S. 938,000 of them were located in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states


0

500

1000

1500

2000

1840 1850 1860

Value of Manufactured Goods (In Millions)


• The U.S. began to lead the world in the manufacturing of machine tools which would then be used to make machinery parts; the national government supported much of this research because it was used to supply the military


• Three important innovations came during this time period – the turret lathe (used for cutting screws and other metal parts), the universal milling machine (which produced identical milled metal parts), and the precision grinding machine (which was used in constructing sewing machines)


• All of these innovations were based on Eli Whitney’s idea of interchangeable parts, and enabled U.S. factories to become world leaders in the production of watch and clock making, the manufacturing of locomotives, the creation of steam engines, the making of many farm tools, and they also led to the development of newer devices such as bicycles, sewing machines, typewriters, and cash registers


• Changes in energy sources also allowed for this rapid industrialization, the shift from water and wood as a source of energy to the use of coal took place during this time period

• Coal production (most of it around Pittsburgh) was 50,000 tons in 1820, but it increased to 14 million tons by 1860, and allowed factories to be located away from running streams and allowed industry to expand


• The number of patents granted in 1830 was 544, by 1850 it was 993, and by 1860 it was 4,778

• Charles Goodyear invented vulcanized rubber in 1839 and created a major rubber industry in the U.S. by 1860


• In 1849, Elias Howe invented the sewing machine, a few years later Isaac Singer made improvements on it, and the Howe-Singer sewing machine was creating ready-to-wear clothing by 1860


• Merchant capitalism was declining by 1860 and was being replaced by corporations but the industrial capitalists became the new ruling class, the aristocrats of the Northeast with far-reaching economic and political influence

Men and Women at WorkMen and Women at Work

Ninety percent of American people in the Ninety percent of American people in the 1820’s still lived and worked on farms.1820’s still lived and worked on farms.

People began leaving poor farm land in People began leaving poor farm land in the North to work in factoriesthe North to work in factories

Mid- Atlantic region: whole families moved Mid- Atlantic region: whole families moved to work in millsto work in mills

Massachusetts: enlisted young women in Massachusetts: enlisted young women in their late teens, early twentiestheir late teens, early twenties


Lowell or Waltham System: worked for Lowell or Waltham System: worked for several years in the factories, lived in several years in the factories, lived in clean boardinghouses, well fed, carefully clean boardinghouses, well fed, carefully supervised, saved wages, and returned supervised, saved wages, and returned home to marry, working conditions better home to marry, working conditions better than those found in Europethan those found in Europe

For women work in the mills was virtually For women work in the mills was virtually the only alternative to returning to farms the only alternative to returning to farms that could no longer support themthat could no longer support them


Factory Girls Association: staged a strike Factory Girls Association: staged a strike to protest a 25% wage cut, then again for to protest a 25% wage cut, then again for a boardinghouse rent increase - both a boardinghouse rent increase - both strikes failedstrikes failed

Sarah Bagley, led the Lowell women to Sarah Bagley, led the Lowell women to form the Female Labor Reform form the Female Labor Reform Association- agitated for 10 hour work Association- agitated for 10 hour work daysdays


Immigrants were labor that was vast and Immigrants were labor that was vast and inexpensive, encountered far worst inexpensive, encountered far worst working conditionsworking conditions

Irish men mostly worked in construction on Irish men mostly worked in construction on the turnpikes, canals and railroads - did the turnpikes, canals and railroads - did not earn enough to support familiesnot earn enough to support families


Miserable working-class neighborhoods Miserable working-class neighborhoods were emerging in northeastern citieswere emerging in northeastern cities

Mass production threatened skilled Mass production threatened skilled artisans, began to form Trade Unionsartisans, began to form Trade Unions

National Trades Union was founded by National Trades Union was founded by delegates from six cities - mainly failed, delegates from six cities - mainly failed, although New Hampshire and although New Hampshire and Pennsylvania passed 10 hour work dayPennsylvania passed 10 hour work day


Commonwealth v. HuntCommonwealth v. Hunt declared that declared that unions were lawful organizations and that unions were lawful organizations and that the strike was a lawful weaponthe strike was a lawful weapon

Patterns of Industrial

Society

• Commercial and industrial growth elevated the average income of the American people, but income was still distributed unequally

• 5% of families possessed more then half the wealth, opulent neighborhoods emerged.

• Merchants and industrialists were accumulating enormous fortunes; and because there were now a significant number of rich people living in the cities, a distinctive culture of wealth began to emerge.

Patterns of Industrial Society

• The construction of the city’s great Central Park, which began in the 1850’s, was in part a result of pressure from the members of high society who wanted an elegant setting for their daily carriage rides.


• Paupers: poor people struggling to survive, recent immigrants, widows, orphans

• Urban areas had significant black populations with access to only menial jobs, paid too little to support families, could not vote or attend public schools

• Social Mobility was rare but possible


• The absolute living standard of most laborers was improving. Life, in material terms at least, was usually better for factory workers than it had been on the farms or in the European societies.

• Acquiring land out west was a "safety valve" as well as politics, ability to vote


• Rapidly expanding middle class, could become prosperous without owning land- providing valuable services, lived in solid homes, women tended to remain in the home, hired servants

• Cast iron stove became an important source of heat

• Families were no longer the principal unit of economic activity - began to hire help (female workers)


• Farm women became less crucial, and had lower economic status

• Birth rate fell due to increased abstinence, birth control, abortions

• Oberlin in Ohio became the first college to accept female students

• Wife was expected to remain in the home and engage in largely domestic activities


• "Separate Sphere" - women began to develop female culture, friendships, social circles, women's literature, magazines- isolated themselves from the public world, few men considered women fit for business politics or professions

• Cult of Domesticity – believed that women had female virtues, provided a home of refuge from the real world, resulted in a society by 1840's few women would work in mills or shops


• Holidays became highly celebrated and reading became a principle leisure activity, the sentimental novel offered idealized visions of women's lives and romances, theaters, boxing, horse racing, minstrel shows, circus


• P. T Barnum opened the American Museum in NY- a great freak show populated by midgets, Siamese twins, magicians

Shakespeare in America

• Public interest in his plays reached its peak in the 1830’s through the 1850’s when theatre was the single most popular performing art throughout the United States.

• Shakespeare was the most popular playwright. • The texts were reworked with American dialect,

and plays were abbreviated into programs containing other popular work of the time

Shakespeare in America

• Edwin Forrest- Celebrated American actor; Beloved by working class audiences as a great patriot and a common man who had risen to greatness. Performed Macbeth the same night as an acclaimed Englishmen was. Ten thousand Forrest enthusiasts gathered outside and attempted to storm the theatre. The militia was called out killed 22 more than 150 wounded.

The Agricultural NorthThe Agricultural North

Most people remained tied to Most people remained tied to agricultureagriculture

Decline of farming in Northeast, Decline of farming in Northeast, could not compete with the rich soil could not compete with the rich soil of the west, the leading wheat of the west, the leading wheat growing states used to be NY, Penn., growing states used to be NY, Penn., Ohio, and Virginia by 1860 they Ohio, and Virginia by 1860 they changed to Illinois, Indiana, and changed to Illinois, Indiana, and WisconsinWisconsin


Eastern farmers response was some moved Eastern farmers response was some moved to the west, establishing new farms, some to the west, establishing new farms, some moved to mill towns, some remained and moved to mill towns, some remained and began supplying food to the urban centersbegan supplying food to the urban centers

The rise of cities stimulated the rise of The rise of cities stimulated the rise of profitable dairy farming- half the dairy profitable dairy farming- half the dairy products in the country were produced by products in the country were produced by the east, New York became leading hay the east, New York became leading hay state however rural population began to state however rural population began to declinedecline


West began to experience steady West began to experience steady industrial growth but still much less industrial growth but still much less important then farming, and Indians important then farming, and Indians remained most numerous inhabitantsremained most numerous inhabitants

Average inhabitant was the owner of Average inhabitant was the owner of a prosperous farm, commercial a prosperous farm, commercial agriculture focused on a single cropagriculture focused on a single crop

Industry created a growing demand Industry created a growing demand for farm goods- farm prices rosefor farm goods- farm prices rose

The Agricultural NorthThe Agricultural North Strong economic relationship Strong economic relationship

developed between the east and developed between the east and west- isolating southwest- isolating south

Cyrus H. McCormick invented the Cyrus H. McCormick invented the automatic reaperautomatic reaper


Northwest considered it's self the Northwest considered it's self the most democratic based on a defense most democratic based on a defense of economic freedom and rights of of economic freedom and rights of propertyproperty

Farmers on the east coast lived in Farmers on the east coast lived in vibrant communities, with churches, vibrant communities, with churches, schools, stores, taverns, and religion schools, stores, taverns, and religion drew farm communities togetherdrew farm communities together

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Chapter 10. The Changing American Population Most American farmers were part of a national and...

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