19th Century US Economy & Society

19th Century US Economy & Society

• Northern Manufacturing & Middle Class: Northern manufacturing fueled a growing middle class and diverse economy in the 1800s.
• Anti-Immigration Sentiment: Anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly in the North, manifested in the Know Nothing Party and Alien and Sedition Acts. Immigrants largely settled in the North.
• Slavery's Expansion West: The expansion of slavery westward was the most divisive issue leading to the Civil War, as seen in the Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, and Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Early US History & Government

• Jeffersonian Republicans & Constitution: Jeffersonian Republicans initially opposed a strong central government, concerns alleviated by the Bill of Rights.
• Articles of Confederation Weaknesses: The Articles of Confederation, emphasizing state power, faced challenges in amendment processes. However, it successfully established equal new states in the west.
• Bacon's Rebellion: Conflicts between frontier settlers and eastern elites over protection and trade with Native Americans sparked Bacon's Rebellion.
• US Constitution Ratification:
• Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists: Concerns about a strong central government were debated by these factions. The Bill of Rights helped gain Anti-Federalist support.
• States' Rights: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, reflecting Jeffersonian Republican ideals, championed states' rights in opposition to federal overreach.

Antebellum Reform Movements & Conflicts

• Women's Rights: The Seneca Falls Convention, advocating for women's rights (property, voting, etc.), was modeled after the Declaration of Independence. Many women's rights activists were also abolitionists.
• Abolition Movement: Abolitionist activity was widespread, especially in the North. The 1836 Gag Rule silenced anti-slavery petitions in Congress.
• Slavery and Slave Resistance: Despite restrictions, pre-Nat Turner's Rebellion, some slaves had relationships and freedoms. Post-rebellion, freedoms were curtailed, and teaching slaves to read and write became illegal.
• Slave Ownership & Wealth: Both sides in the Civil War drafted soldiers; wealthier individuals often had loopholes in conscription.

American Civil War & Reconstruction

• Emancipation Proclamation: The Emancipation Proclamation, while not immediately freeing all slaves, allowed black men to join the Union army, boosted Union morale, and discouraged foreign intervention in favor of the Confederacy.
• Black Soldiers in Union Army: Black soldiers were not always treated equally in the Union army.
• Black Codes: Post-Civil War, black codes were implemented to restrict the freedoms and rights of formerly enslaved people.

Key Historical Events and Concepts

• French & Indian War/Seven Years' War Effects: Effects of the war required measures to prevent conflict between colonists and Native Americans; the Proclamation Line of 1763 attempted to separate white colonists and Native Americans via the Appalachian Mountains.
• American Colonization Society: The American Colonization Society aimed to free slaves but faced opposition from Northerners fearing economic consequences. They proposed relocating freed slaves.
• Market Revolution: The Market Revolution, facilitated by improvements in transportation, spurred economic growth.
• Hudson River School: The Hudson River School was an American art movement that painted landscapes.
• Compromise of 1850's Significance: The Compromise of 1850 attempted to resolve the issue of slavery's expansion but ultimately failed to completely address the underlying tensions.
• Popular Sovereignty: Popular sovereignty failed to solve the slavery expansion issue, prompting violence and fraudulent votes, as in the Lecompton Constitution.
• Second Great Awakening: Contributing factors to the Second Great Awakening (e.g., social and religious changes) should be studied.
• Andrew Jackson's Policies: Andrew Jackson, president in 1828 and 1832, supported expansion, slavery, universal white male suffrage, and the Indian Removal Act.
• Andrew Jackson's Opposition: Jackson opposed the Second US Bank, states nullifying federal law, and the Electoral College.
• Corrupt Bargain Election of 1824: An important factor to study, alongside Jackson.
• The American System: The American System aimed to consolidate the US economy, involving infrastructure projects
• Columbian Exchange: Impacts of the Columbian Exchange on both Native Americans and Europeans should be studied.
• Dred Scott Decision & 14th Amendment: The outcome of the Dred Scott decision and its reversal by the 14th Amendment are notable and should be examined in detail.
• Changes in Federal Government: Changes in the federal government before, during, and after the Civil War are a significant subject to research.
• Reasons for Southern Yeoman Support of Slavery: Reasons for Yeoman southern white support of slavery require study.
• Mexican-American War: The Mexican-American War's impact on the division between North and South should be addressed

Explore the economic and social dynamics of the 19th century United States, focusing on Northern manufacturing, anti-immigration sentiments, and the expansion of slavery. Delve into significant events and perspectives that helped shape American society during this transformative period.