The Early 19c: The Creation of an American Culture In the Jefferson Era

Cultural Cultural NationalismNationalismp Education The “Virtuous

Citizen”p An American form of English

Noah Webster

Cultural Cultural NationalismNationalismp A well-defined American

literature Washington Irving

The Sketch BookThe Sketch Book, 1819-20, 1819-20“The Legend of Sleepy “The Legend of Sleepy

Hollow”Hollow”

Cultural Cultural NationalismNationalismReligious Movements:

Deism Second “Great

Awakening”

The Second “Great The Second “Great Awakening:”Awakening:”

Revivalist MeetingRevivalist Meeting

Charles G. FinneyCharles G. FinneyThe ranges of tents, the fires, reflecting light…; the candles and lamps illuminating the encampment; hundreds moving to and fro…;the preaching, praying, singing, and shouting,… like the sound of many waters, was enough to swallow up all the powers of contemplation.

“soul-shaking”

conversion

The “Benevolent The “Benevolent Empire”Empire”

““Burned-Over” Burned-Over” DistrictDistrict

in Upstate New in Upstate New YorkYork

American Bible American Bible SocietySociety

Founded in 1816Founded in 1816

Economic Economic NationalismNationalism

p Encourage Creativity & Inventiveness.

p Create a Transportation Infrastructure.

p Create a Pro-Business Atmosphere.

Jefferson’s Vision Jefferson’s Vision of Americaof America

Hamilton’s Vision Hamilton’s Vision of Americaof America

Role ofGovt.

Eli Whitney’s Cotton Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin, Gin, 17911791

Actually Actually invented by a invented by a

slave!slave!

Whitney’s Gun Whitney’s Gun FactoryFactory

Interchangeable Parts RifleInterchangeable Parts Rifle

First TurnpikeFirst TurnpikeLancaster, PALancaster, PA (1790)(1790)

By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road connected most major cities.connected most major cities.

CumberlandCumberland“National Road,” “National Road,”

18111811

Conestoga Covered Conestoga Covered WagonsWagons

Conestoga Trail, Conestoga Trail, 1820s1820s

Yankee Clipper Yankee Clipper ShipsShips

Robert Fulton & the Robert Fulton & the SteamboatSteamboat

The Clermont

Erie Canal SystemErie Canal System

The Erie Canal, The Erie Canal, 1820s1820s

The Rising Cities

Census of 1800 PopulationWest of Appal. Mts 10%

Towns over 8000 3%

Rural farms Approx. 85%

Philadelphia 70,000New York 60,000

Baltimore 26,000

Boston 24000

Charleston 20000