A Growing Nation (1800-1870)

Unit 3 Outline: A Growing Nation (1800-1870)

• Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville wrote Democracy in America observing that Americans has a "lively faith in the perfectibility of man"

• the bustling spirit that had enchanted Tocqueville in 1831 would make for a turbulent "tomorrow" in the decades to come

• By 1870 industrialism, explosive population and economic growth, and the civil war had all aged the nation's spirit

• American Literature and Writers had developed; the 1870's produced some of America's most famous writers, such as Irving, Poe, Hawthorne, and Dickinson

Historical Background

• In 1800, the United States consisted of 16 states near the east coast

• Thomas Jefferson doubled the nation's size, by signing the Louisiana Purchase. the rapid growth of the nation inspired an upsurge in national pride and self-awareness

• Transportation improved

- The Growth of Democracy at Home: 1800-1840

• The election of Andrew Jackson, "the People's President" ushered in the era of the common man, as property requirements for voting began to be eliminated

• democratic advances were confined to white males

• Trail of Tears in 1838

- Young Nation on the World Stage

• The war of 1812 convinced Europeans that the US was in the World Stage to stay

• In the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, President Monroe warned Europe not to intervene in the new Latin American nations

• Gold Rush - 1849

- The Way West and Economic Growth

• The first white settlers reach Americas east coast and the 13 colonies were born, but as transportation enhanced, America began to stretch west. the most western state by 1845 was Texas

• Advances in technology spurred social changes. factories sprang up. new tools were created to increase efficiency

- Winds of Change

• The New prosperity unleashed fierce competition, leading to child labor, and unsafe working conditions

• slavery divided the nation

Literature

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