American culture flourished following independence, led by scholars like Noah Webster and artists like Charles Willson Peale. Republican virtues of self-reliance and sacrifice were promoted. Schools added programs to educate republican women. The population doubled every 20 years to over 12 million by 1830, driven largely by births rather than immigration. Mobility increased as people moved west for new opportunities. Dating replaced arranged marriages as women gained independence in choosing partners. The Second Great Awakening sparked religious revivals and growth of new denominations. Improvements in travel, trade, and specialization supported a growing economy and rise of businesses and shopping.

1. LIFE IN THE NEW NATION

2. Cultural Changes
• American scholars & artists contribute to culture
– Noah Webster- dictionary & spelling book
– Mercy Otis Warren-patriotic plays like History of
the American Revolution
– Benjamin Rush-books on chemistry &
medicine, belief that mental disease was not
demonic affliction
– Benjamin Banneker-surveyor of Washington
D.C., mathmatics, inventor, writer, astronomer
– Charles Willson Peale-artist, founds
1st museum in US

3. Cultural Changes
– Phyllis Wheatley-poetry Poems on
Various Subjects Religious and Moral
• Republican virtues promoted
– Self-reliance, hard work, frugality,
harmony, sacrificing individual
needs for society
• Education- schools add
departments to help girls become
“republican women”

4. Social Changes• Population growth
– 1780- 13 states, 2.7 million people
– 1830-24 states, 12 million people
– Population doubles every 20 years
– Not due to immigration of
Europeans or Africans
– 90% of growth due to increase in
birth
– 1800-1850 average woman has 5
children
– Median age in 1820 is 17 years old
(1/2 population was under age 17)

5. Social Changes
• Mobility
– Population increase leads to
overcrowding in East
– People move West
– Unlike Europeans, not tied to
land-free to move
– Effects:
• 1. Equal chance to get ahead in the
West
• 2. Learn new social skills and new
social rules

6. Social Changes
• Dating and Marriage
– Choice of husband is one of few choices
women have
– Women gain ideas about marriage partners
form books and novels
• Charlotte Temple by Susanna Haswell
Rowson
– Idea of ‘courtship’ or extended dating,
versus old arranged marriages
– Important decision, women had limited
options

7. Religious Changes
• 2nd Great Awakening
– Starts in Kentucky & Tennessee
– Evangelical movement—revival
campmeetings
– Women have active role
• Some preach & have leadership roles
– Denominations emerge
• Baptists, Methodists, Unitarians, Mormons,
Millennialists
– African Americans join Protestants
• Eventually form their own churches

8. Other changes
• Rise of improvements in travel & trade
encourages free enterprise
– More people having their own
businesses
– Working outside the home
– Increases the need for specialization
– RISE OF SHOPPING!
• Rise of banks
– Bank lending, money flowing,
businesses growing