Westward Expansion and Population Growth 1790-1860

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.

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

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

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 http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/fem/health.htm

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.

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

Answer #2 Beaver Buffalo Sea Otter