The “Era of Good

Feelings”

(1816-1824)

Madison to Monroe

NationalismIndustry / Expansion

The American System(Economic Nationalism in Action)

Protective Tariffs, starting with the Tariff of 1816

Second Bank of the U. S.

Internal improvements at federal expense. - National Road

Henry Clay,“The Great

Compromiser”

Regional SpecializationRegional Specialization

NORTHEAST Industrial

SOUTH Cotton & Slavery

WEST The Nation’s “Breadbasket”

Regions grabbed the Inventions that best suited their economic pursuits

Erie Canal, 1820sErie Canal, 1820s

Begun in 1817; completed in 1825

Principal Canals in 1840Principal Canals in 1840

Robert Fulton & the Steamboat

Robert Fulton & the Steamboat

1807: The Clermont

Cumberland (National Road), 1811

Cumberland (National Road), 1811

First Turnpike- 1790 Lancaster, PA

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

Conestoga Covered WagonsConestoga Covered Wagons

Conestoga Trail, 1820s

TheRailroad

Revolution,1850s

TheRailroad

Revolution,1850s

Immigrant laborbuilt the No. RRs.

Slave laborbuilt the So. RRs.

Early Textile Power LoomEarly Textile Power Loom

Eli Whitney’s Gun FactoryEli Whitney’s Gun Factory

Interchangeable Parts Rifle

Resourcefulness & Experimentation

Resourcefulness & Experimentation

Americans were willing to try

anything.

They were first copiers, theninnovators.

1800 41 patents were approved.

1860 4,357 patents were approved.

Samuel Slater(“Father of the Factory

System”)

Samuel Slater(“Father of the Factory

System”)

New EnglandTextile

Centers:

1830s

New EnglandTextile

Centers:

1830s

The Lowell/Waltham System:

First Dual-Purpose Textile Plant

The Lowell/Waltham System:

First Dual-Purpose Textile Plant

Francis Cabot Lowell’s town - 1814

Lowell in 1850Lowell in 1850

• Factory workers were girls

• Came from farms, leaving family

• Housing was provided

• Hard life, long hours, restricted living

Lowell GirlsLowell Girls

What was their typical “profile?”

I’m a Factory Girl Filled with Wishes

I’m a Factory Girl Filled with WishesI'm a factory girl

Everyday filled with fearFrom breathing in the poison airWishing for windows!I'm a factory girlTired from the 13 hours of work each dayAnd we have such low payWishing for shorten work times!I'm a factory girlNever having enough time to eatNor to rest my feetWishing for more free time!I'm a factory girlSick of all this harsh conditionsMaking me want to sign the petition!So do what I ask for because I am a factory girlAnd I'm hereby speaking for all the rest!

New England Dominance in Textiles

New England Dominance in Textiles

U.S. Manufacturing Employment, 1820–1850

Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin, 1791

Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin, 1791

Actually invented by a

slave!

John Deere & the Steel Plow(1837)

John Deere & the Steel Plow(1837)

Most notable for making the West Farmable

Cyrus McCormick& the Mechanical Reaper:

1831

Cyrus McCormick& the Mechanical Reaper:

1831

Samuel F. B. MorseSamuel F. B. Morse

1840 – Telegraph

Elias Howe & Isaac SingerElias Howe & Isaac Singer

1840sSewing Machine

Changing Occupation Distributions:1820 - 1860

Changing Occupation Distributions:1820 - 1860

National Origin of Immigrants:1820 - 1860

National Origin of Immigrants:1820 - 1860

Why now?

US Population Density

1810 1820

Map: Population Distribution, 1790 and 1850

They all regarded material advance as the natural fruit of American republicanism & proof of the country’s virtue and promise.

The “American Dream”The “American Dream”

A German visitor in the 1840s, Friedrich List, observed:

Anything new is quickly introduced here, including all of the latest inventions. There is no clinging to old ways. The moment an American hears the word “invention,” he pricks up his ears.

Distribution of WealthDistribution of Wealth During the American

Revolution,45% of all wealth in the top 10% ofthe population.

1845 Boston - top 4% owned over 65% of the wealth.

1860 Philadelphia - top 1% owned over 50% of the wealth.

The gap between rich and poor was widening!

The North Embraces Industry

The tariff Congress placed on imported goods helped industry to flourish, particularly in the Northeast, where there were many factories and laborers to keep them running.

Industrial Workers

The arrival of industry changed the way many Americans worked by reducing the skill required for many jobs. This trend hurt highly skilled artisans, who could not compete with manufacturers working with many low-cost laborers.

Southern Agricultural Economy and Society

During the 1780s, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington hoped that slavery would gradually fade away. However, with the emergence of cotton as the South’s leading crop, slavery persisted.

The Panic of 1819

CAUSES???