Early American Expansion and Development

Study Guide on Early American Expansion and Development

Key Topics and Terms to Know

I. Westward Expansion

Major Factors Driving Expansion

• Economic opportunities

• Available land for farming

• Natural resources

• Major river systems for transportation

• Contrast with crowded European cities

The Transportation Revolution

• Cumberland Road (1811)

  • First federal highway

  • Connected eastern markets to western territories

• Erie Canal (1825)

  • Connected Great Lakes to Atlantic Ocean

  • Reduced shipping costs by 95%

  • Opened western markets

• Steamboats

  • Revolutionized river transportation

  • Enabled two-way river travel

II. Jacksonian America

Andrew Jackson's Presidency (1829-1837)

• Known as "President of the Common Man"

• Key Policies:

  • Opposed the Second Bank of the United States

  • Supported Indian Removal

  • Expanded voting rights for white men

  • Challenged the established elite

Indian Removal

• Indian Removal Act of 1830

• The Trail of Tears

  • Forced relocation of Native American tribes

  • Particularly affected Cherokee Nation

  • Thousands died during journey

  • Impact on Native American communities

III. The Texas Revolution

Key Battles and Events

• Battle of Gonzales (October 2, 1835)

  • First battle of the revolution

  • "Come and Take It" flag

  • Sparked the revolution

• The Alamo (February 23 - March 6, 1836)

  • 13-day siege

  • Key figures: Travis, Bowie, Crockett

  • "Remember the Alamo" battle cry

• Goliad Massacre (March 27, 1836)

  • Execution of 342 Texian prisoners

  • Increased support for Texas cause

• Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836)

  • Decisive victory for Texas

  • Captured Santa Anna

  • Led to Texas independence

Important Documents

• Treaties of Velasco

  • Granted Texas independence

  • Santa Anna captured and forced to sign

  • Mexican troops withdrew south of Rio Grande

IV. Southern Society and Economy

Social Structure

• Planter Class

  • Less than 1% of population

  • Owned 20+ enslaved people

  • Strong political influence

• Yeoman Farmers

  • Majority of white Southerners

  • Small landowners

  • Self-sufficient agriculture

• Urban Professionals

  • Lawyers

  • Merchants

  • Business owners

Agricultural System

• Major Cash Crops by Region

  • Upper South: Tobacco

  • Coastal Regions: Rice

  • Deep South: Cotton

  • Louisiana: Sugarcane

• Cotton Economy

  • Impact of Cotton Gin (1793)

    • Invented by Eli Whitney

    • Dramatically increased cotton production

    • 1792: 6,000 bales

    • 1860: 4 million bales

Labor Systems

• Task System (rice plantations)

• Gang System (cotton fields)

• Urban labor (skilled craftspeople, servants)

Study Tips

Key Dates to Remember

• 1811 - Cumberland Road construction

• 1825 - Erie Canal completion

• 1830 - Indian Removal Act

• 1835-1836 - Texas Revolution

• 1836 - Battle of the Alamo

Important Concepts to Understand

• How transportation improvements affected settlement

• Impact of Jackson's policies on different groups

• Causes and effects of the Texas Revolution

• Structure of Southern society and economy

Maps to Study

• Transportation routes (Cumberland Road, Erie Canal)

• Texas Revolution battle sites

• Trail of Tears route

• Distribution of cash crops in the South

Key Terms Review

• Transportation Revolution

• Jacksonian Democracy

• Indian Removal

• King Cotton

• Task System vs. Gang System

• Yeoman Farmers

• Planter Class