1. Westward Expansion and Population Growth

2. Main ideas In the early 1800’s, the US was expanding.
It was physically growing westward.
The population was increasing.
Cities were growing.
Immigration was on the rise.

3. The Westward Movement
Andrew Jackson’s rise: example of western influence
Before 1850, 50% of Americans were under 30
The demographic center (term A) moved past the Ohio River by 1860

4. Frontier Life (SG Question #1)
Frontier life was rugged and grim.
All necessities were scarce (food, clothes, shelter)
Disease, depression (from loneliness) and premature death were common

5. Primary Source From: The Effect of Climate on the Health of Americans, Thomas Cather, 1836
The appearance of the people, particularly those who dwell to the Eastward of the Alleghanies, proves that the climate is unhealthy. The men are almost invariably bad complexioned, lathy, wall sided, round shouldered fellows…I don't suppose that a set of such looking men could be met with anywhere else than America. The women are generally thin and pale faced, with smallish ricketty figures.
Taken from

6. Western Landscape: Revered or Threatened? (SG Question #2)
Ecological Imperialism
Tobacco exhausted the soil
Ideal livestock conditions attracted thousands of settlers
Over-hunting nearly wiped out several species.

7. Pristine, natural beauty
Painted by Catlin (see next slide)
Spirit of nationalism = American land is a treasured resource
Eventually, this view led to the national park system.

8. George Catlin – American painter
Catlin painting of Native Americans hunting Buffalo

9. The March of the Millions Population Growth (SG#3 – causes & problems – next slide)
High birthrate
By 1850, US pop. Still doubling every 25 yrs!
By 1860 – 33 states
US – 4th most populous nation in Western world
1790: 2 US cities over 20,000 (Philly and NY)
1860: 43 cities over 20,000!

10. Peaked in 1840’s and 1850’s from Ireland and Germany
Another Cause
Immigration
Peaked in 1840’s and 1850’s from Ireland and Germany
Europe was overcrowded
America = Freedom
Land was abundant in US
Steamships shortened
travel time to 12 days

11. The March of the Millions Population Growth (SG#3 – problems )
Problems of Urbanization* (urban growth)
Smelly slums
Poor street
lighting
Corrupt police
Poor Sanitation
Impure water /
sewer systems
Rats and pigs
Disease

12. Review questions
All of the following are true of the growth in the US in the early 1800’s except…
A. immigration added to the population
B. The rural population grew faster than the urban one
C. High birthrates were partly responsible.
D. The nation expanded in a westerly direction

13. B. The rural population grew faster than the urban one
Answer #1
B. The rural population grew faster than the urban one

14. Review Questions Short answer:
Name at least two of the species that was dramatically over-hunted to the point of near extinction in the 1800’s.

15. Answer #2
Beaver
Buffalo
Sea Otter