Overview
This lecture covered the transformative decades after the War of 1812, focusing on economic, technological, and political changes in America, particularly transportation, industrialization, urban growth, immigration, and the evolving political landscape.
Transportation Revolution
- The Erie Canal (opened 1825) linked New York City to the Northwest, reducing transport costs and spurring nationwide canal construction.
- The National Road (Cumberland Road) connected Maryland to Illinois, boosting trade and migration.
- Railroads surpassed canals in impact, operated year-round, promoted western settlement, and caused rapid town development.
- Steamboats on rivers increased the movement of goods and people, contributing to commerce and urban growth.
Industrialization and Urbanization
- Steam power drove textile mills, notably Lowell, Massachusetts, encouraging the rise of mill towns and commercial cities.
- Cities developed as commercial centers, mill towns, or transport hubs; New York City became the nation’s largest due to the Erie Canal.
- Factory work, especially for women in Lowell, offered economic independence but led to strikes over working conditions and pay cuts.
- Early mill towns attempted to avoid the harsh conditions of British factories but soon prioritized cheap immigrant labor.
Immigration and Social Change
- Irish immigrants flooded cities after the 1845 potato famine, often facing poverty and discrimination for Catholicism.
- German immigrants, generally more skilled and middle class, settled mainly in the Midwest and contributed to urban development.
- Competition among immigrants, African-Americans, and poor whites led to crowded, often unsafe urban neighborhoods.
Economic Change and Crisis
- The Panic of 1819, caused by land speculation and falling cotton prices, led to widespread economic failure and distrust of banks.
- Market capitalism introduced boom and bust cycles, causing many to view banks and corporate privilege as undemocratic.
Politics and the American System
- Debate persisted over whether the federal or state governments should oversee internal improvements like canals and roads.
- Henry Clay's American System called for federal support of infrastructure and protective tariffs to spur national growth.
The Rise of Jacksonian Democracy
- The 1824 election controversy (the "corrupt bargain") led to Andrew Jackson’s landslide win in 1828 and the formation of the Democratic Party.
- Jackson expanded voting rights to all white men and fought the Second Bank of the United States, viewing it as corrupt and elitist.
- Jackson’s actions deepened political divisions, leading to the rise of the Whig Party and a new two-party system.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Erie Canal — Major canal connecting NYC to the Midwest, revolutionizing trade.
- National Road — First major federally funded highway, aiding westward expansion.
- Steamboat — Steam-powered river vessel that transformed inland transportation.
- Panic of 1819 — First major U.S. economic crisis triggered by land/cotton speculation.
- Lowell System — Textile factory model employing young women under controlled conditions.
- American System — Henry Clay’s plan for national economic growth via tariffs and infrastructure.
- Jacksonian Democracy — Movement expanding political power for white men and opposing elite privilege.
- Second Bank of the United States (BUS) — National bank targeted by Jackson for its economic influence.
- Whig Party — Opposition party to Jackson’s Democrats, supporting federal intervention in the economy.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review upcoming material on religion, reform, and utopian ideas in the antebellum period for next class.