Creation of a "market" economy
In this time we were advancing in technology. We now had Toll roads, steamboats, trains, and the invention of the cotton grin. All these made it possible to start our own trade.
East vs. West vs. South
east-had industry
|
west-made grains
|
south-had plantations of cotton and
|
Transportation advancements
The steamboat, invented by Robert Fulton, made it possible for trade to travel up and down the river, no longer relying on the current of the river. The train was a fast and cheap way to transfer goods across the US. By 1860 the US had made 300,000 miles of railroad.
Changing Demographics
After the nation became independent, the population doubled every 25 years as a result of the high birthrate of Americans. This also caused many changes in demographics.
Irish ImmigrantsIn the 1840s, the potato famine in Ireland caused many Irish Immigrants to come to America. The largest immigrant group (Irish) was accounted for between 1830 and 1860. They filled the cities and there was more Irish people in New York City and Boston than there was in Ireland. Most of them were Catholic, living in poverty, and competing for jobs.
[Source] |
German ImmigrantsTough economic and political conditions caused German immigrants to enter the nation. About 1.5 million Germans came at the same time the Irish did. They settled in the western frontier for farming, as most of the German immigrants were displaced farmers.
[Source] |
Nativism/Know-Nothing Party
Americans who opposed the immigrants were called nativists. These people believed they were the only true "Americans" and were against the rights of anyone who had foreign blood. The Know-Nothing Party was a political party that consisted of extreme nativists. This group would meet in secret and wouldn't tell anyone what they were standing for, only saying "I know, nothing", thus earning them their name.