2. Population Patterns
US Population:
1790 – 4 million, most east of the Appalachian Mountains
1840 – 17 million, 1/3 west of the Appalachian Mountains
Population grew in parts of the old Northwest Territory,
including Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, & Wisconsin
Ohio – 1800 – 45,000
1820 – 581,000
1840 – 1.5 million
4. Farm Economy
Most initially practiced
subsistence agriculture
Men: Responsible for “heavy”
work like clearing land &
plowing
Women: Variety of chores –
often endless
Sold eggs, butter, cheese, & other
goods in order to supplement
income
5. Old Northwest Territory
Saw an increase in
commercial farming
Exported goods outside of the
United States or shipping them to
markets in the East
Soon replaced the northeast
as the center of American
agriculture
6. Commercial Farming
The East had become more
urban & industrialized
Western farms benefitted
from newer technologies
due to differences in the
landscape
McCormick’s Reaper
John Deere’s Steel Plow
7. Impact of Commercial Farming
Debt increased among
farmers
Financial “Panics” in 1819 &
1837 hurt many as credit was
tightened
Farmers grew reliant upon
outside market forces
9. Old Southwest Territory
Commercial farming &
technology also impacted
the old Southwest Territory
Settlement increased as
cotton became the leading
US export
Alabama & Mississippi
produced nearly 50% of US
cotton by 1820s
10. Impact of Commercial Farming
Eli Whitney’s cotton gin led to
the expansion of cotton
plantations
Processed cotton was shipped
to British & US textile mills
Caused an increase in the
demand for slave labor
11. Transportation Changes
Steamboats transformed the
transportation of goods &
people via rivers
Canals made transporting
western goods more practical
By the 1830s, investment in
railroad construction outpaced
that of canals
13. Rise of Industry
Lowell, MA was an important
center for textile manufacturing
Production increased from 4
million to 323 million yards
between 1817 & 1843
Some people, especially urban
men, began to purchase ready-
made clothing
14. Rise of Industry
80% of factory workers in
Lowell & Waltham textile mills
were young, unmarried
women
Worked long hours in hot,
humid conditions
Worsened in economic hard
times when hours were
extended & the pace of
machines was sped up to
increase production
15. Urbanization
In 1820s, most cities were
seaports
Over the next 40 years, US
population increased
considerably due to high
birth rates & increased
immigration
16. Rise of Industry
By 1860, nine cities had
populations over 100,000
people
New York’s population had
reached 800,000
Led to an increased
inequality between the rich
and the poor living in cities
17. Gap Between Rich & Poor
Case Study: Boston
1833 – The richest 4% owned 59% of the city’s wealth
1848 – They owned about 65%
Case Study: New York
1828 – The richest 4% owned 50% of the city’s wealth
1848 – They owned about 65%
18. Immigrants & Persecution
Immigrants often faced
persecution – especially true
for the Irish during this time
period
Native born workers were
resentful and believed that
large immigrant populations
led to lower wages
