Period 5 Reading 4
Page 1: The Ferment of Reform and Culture, 1790-1860
The Whaling Industry
"Capturing a Sperm Whale": Painting by William Page (1835) highlighting the dangers of whaling. Despite these dangers, whaling was a significant industry from colonial times until the end of the 19th century.
Historians Emerging in the 19th Century
George Bancroft (1800-1891): Known as the "Father of American History," he published a patriotic history of the United States up to 1789 in six volumes (successor to ten). His research was extensive, drawing from both American and European archives.
William H. Prescott (1796-1859): Notable for his works on the conquests of Mexico (1843) and Peru (1847), he published while managing significant visual impairment after an accident.
Francis Parkman (1823-1893): Chronicled the colonial struggle between France and Britain in North America in a series of volumes starting in 1851, written under challenging conditions due to his eyesight.
Historical Bias and Perspective
Early American historians often had New England roots due to access to literary traditions and libraries. Many were abolitionists, which influenced their perspectives on the South and slavery.
A prevailing sentiment claimed that history was predominantly written by New Englanders, leading to perceived biases against the South, as encapsulated in the critique: "The history of the United States has been written by Boston"—a complaint from southern historians regarding accuracy and interpretation.
Page 2: Chapter Review
Key Terms
The Age of Reason: A period noted for the emergence of reason and rationality in philosophical discourse.
Deism: A belief in a rational God, emphasizing morality and reason over religious dogma.
Second Great Awakening: A revivalist movement emphasizing individual salvation and social reform.
Major Groups and Movements
Mormons: Founded by Joseph Smith; their migration to Utah became a notable historical event.
American Temperance Society: Advocated for the reduction of alcohol consumption; led to the Maine Law of 1851.
Women's Rights Convention: First held at Seneca Falls in 1848, marking the formal beginning of the women's rights movement.
Cultural Developments
Romanticism & Transcendentalism: Two significant literary and philosophical movements influencing American thought.
Hudson River School: An influential art movement focusing on landscape painting in the early 19th century.
People to Know
Notable figures like Charles Grandison Finney (revivalist), Lucretia Mott (women's rights advocate), and Walt Whitman (poet) are key to understanding this era's cultural landscape.
Chronology of Events
Key dates from the era, including the establishment of religious and educational institutions, and the publication of significant literary works, are pivotal for contextualizing the historical timeline.
Page 3: Focus on Success
Important Historical Questions
Slavery and Regional Interests: Understanding why some leaders prioritized regional interests over national concerns regarding slavery.
State Restrictions on Rights: Exploring how state governments limited African Americans' rights.
Abolitionist Efforts: Investigating the effectiveness and limitations of antislavery movements in the South versus the North.
Economic Ties: Examining how cotton production interconnected national and international economies.
Cultural Impact: The role of slave communities in shaping social and political identities.
Themes and Skills
Emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context through thematic analysis and historical thinking skills.
Page 4: Continuing Exploration
Thematic Connections
Emphasizes the importance of understanding the changes in slavery's ideological and economic implications from 1793-1860.
Social Structures: Observing how social categories influenced economic systems and shaped government policies throughout American history.
Ideological Change Over Time
Noticing how views on slavery evolved and affected both local and national discourse.
Page 5: Slavery's Impact and Evolution
Economic Growth and Slavery
The introduction of the cotton gin revolutionized cotton production, making it the primary crop and thus solidifying the role of slavery in the southern economy.
Cotton Kingdom
Cotton became a significant export commodity, linking the Southern economy to both national and international markets, particularly Britain, where textile manufacturing thrived.
Plantation Aristocracy
The South operated under an oligarchy rather than a democracy, dominated by a few wealthy families who owned large numbers of slaves and influenced political dynamics.
Page 6: Oligarchy and Aristocracy
Role of the Planter Elite
Southern aristocrats enjoyed power, wealth, and education, impacting national politics; however, this concentrated wealth led to significant economic and social disparities.
Education and Social Mobility
Wealthy planters could afford quality education for their children, reinforcing class divides and social hierarchies.
Page 7: Economic Dependencies
Whiteness and Class
The majority of southern whites did not own slaves. Economic realities forced poor whites into support of the slave system, instilling aspirations of social mobility.
Slave Ownership Dynamics
Ownership patterns and slave population demographics highlight the prominence and disparity within southern society.
Page 8: Social Hierarchies
Racial Hierarchy
The rigid social structure in the South dictated lifestyle and economic participation among different classes and enforced a hierarchy that disadvantaged African Americans.
Changing Population Dynamics
Increased competition for land and resources altered the socio-economic landscape, pushing poverty amidst poor white farmers who owned no slaves.
Page 9: The Slave Experience
Free Blacks
A significant population of free blacks existed in the South and North but faced discrimination, restrictions on rights, and constant risk of being re-enslaved.
Plantation Life
The conditions and realities of enslaved individuals were marked by brutal living situations and vulnerability to exploitation.
Page 10: Social and Cultural Isolation
The Condition of Free Blacks
Free blacks straddled a precarious line of acceptance, often facing hostility from both white southerners and northern whites, showing the pervasive racism of the era.
Struggles Against Slavery
The internal slave market thrived despite the prohibition of slave imports, highlighting economic motivations driving the institution of slavery.
Page 11: The Nature of Slavery and Cultural Reflections
Slave Families
The internal slave trade and the family structure were deeply affected by the economic needs of plantation owners, demonstrating the human cost of the slave economy.
Artifact of the Past
Slavery was characterized by a material culture—including crafted items by slaves—testifying to resilience amidst oppression.