The document summarizes changes to American society and economy between 1790-1840. It saw a dramatic increase in population, especially in the Old Northwest territory including Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Farming transitioned from subsistence to commercial, fueled by new technologies and reliant on eastern and foreign markets. The cotton gin and slavery expanded in the Old Southwest. Transportation was revolutionized by steamboats, canals and emerging railroads. Textile mills concentrated in cities like Lowell, Massachusetts, while inequality grew between the urban rich and poor. High immigration rates increased ethnic tensions.

1. AMERICAN SOCIETY &
ECONOMY TRANSFORMED

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

3. Population Patterns

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

8. Old Southwest Territory

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

12. Growth of Railroads

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

19. US Immigration