#1 GEOGRAPHIC GROWTH and WESTERN EXPANSION

Maintaining sectional balance is the primary goal

1800-1820 – US population grows from 5.3 million to 9.6 million

1812-1821 – Six new states added to the Union

WHY? lots of cheap land while land prices in the East are steadily rising; Embargo (1807-09) pushed people west looking for $

Transportation revolution (Cumberland Road –1811) and successful victories over Indians led to increased migration west.
By 1820 25% of the population lived in the west

#2 HENRY CLAY’s AMERICAN SYSTEM (1824)

 Leads to specialization and inter regional dependency (and sectionalism)

 
Re-charter National Bank (BUS –1816) – to provide national ; extend credit for land purchases and check state banks.

Protective tariffs – promote American manufacturing and raise revenue for transportation infrastructure- Tariff revenues would fund roads and canals and eastern trade would flourish under tariff protection

Internal improvements used to promote growth and commercial agriculture.

HOW? Roads and waterways + new and faster vehicles = farmers connecting to new markets!!!

#3 TRANSPORTATION REVOLUTION
“Let us bind the republic together with a perfect system of roads and canals. Let us conquer space”

Erie Canal – 1817

Construction on the Erie Canal financed by the state of New York + private investment finished in 1825.

Steamboats

Robert Fulton – 1810 – improved on Fitch’s boat ;with the backing of Robert Livingston – they created the first commercial uses for a steamboat

#4 GROWTH OF MANUFACTURING

AFTER THE WAR OF 1812:

British Merchants saw the U.S. as a market for their goods. They were willing to sell at well below costs – just to re-establish business in America this hurt American manufacturers who were just starting to get on their feet

these businesses pushed for protection

CASE STUDY: Waltham, Mass. – factory was driven by waterpower. A group – the Boston Manufacturing Company was set up Francis Cabot Lowell hired young, unmarried women just out of high school “factory girls” gave them a place to stay, food, education, recreation

American Industry will get its start