2. A Mobile Society
In 1780, 2.7 million people lived in the original
13 states.
By 1830, the population had grown to an
estimated 12 million people in 24 states.
From 1780 to 1830, the population of the
United States doubled every 20 years.
The expanding population led to crowding,
especially along the Atlantic Coast and solved
this by moving westward.
3. A Mobile Society
The population could move westward because
the United States was a mobile society – one in
which people continually move from place to
place.
The ease of movement meant that Americans
could not only change their location but also
their position in society – the movement had
two major effects on the population.
4. A Mobile Society
Two major effects of
the mobile society…
– ONE:
Americans had the opportunity to improve their lives
because they were not tied to the land and decided to
move west to the frontier land beyond the Appalachian
Mountains where they could make their own success.
– TWO:
People who moved often found themselves living among
strangers and as a result, felt lonely. They once enjoyed a
life among family and friends in villages, but now had to
develop friendships with people they had never known
before. Thus they had to learn new skills and make up
new rules for getting along with others.
5. The Second Great Awakening
In the early 1800s, the pressures of a changing society
led many people to renew their religious faith.
The 2nd Great Awakening began in the backcountry of
Kentucky and Tennessee.
It was an evangelical movement that affected
Protestant Christians. A movement is considered
“evangelical” when it emphasized 3 ideas:
– 1: The Christian Bible, known as Scripture, is the final
authority on all matters.
– 2: Salvation can be achieved only through a personal belief
in Jesus.
– 3: People demonstrate true faith by leading a transformed
life and by performing good deeds – called “witnessing for
Christ”.
6. Manifest Destiny
In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal
Act, est. Indian Territory (Oklahoma), planned
for the removal of Native Americans.
By 1837, President Andrew Jackson forced the
relocation of 45,000 Native Americans to the
west of the Mississippi River.
Thousands of Cherokee Indians died along the
way in a journey that became known as the
Trail of Tears.
7. Manifest Destiny
Many westward settlers believed in Manifest Destiny,
the idea that America’s westward expansion was
providential – from God.
Settlement driven by Manifest Destiny, and the belief
that European settlers had the right to own whatever
land they claimed, would erode Native American
cultures east and west of the Mississippi River.
Americans saw themselves as united country and
proud of their accomplishments.
They embraced the changes brought by
industrialization and were determined to reap the
benefits of Manifest Destiny.
8. Texas Fights of Independence
Nowhere was the flow of Americans into Mexican
territory more apparent in the 1820’s than in Texas.
Stephen Austin led the first organized group of
American settlers into Texas in 1822 after receiving
permission from the Mexican gov’t.
By 1830, 7000 Americans lived in Texas, twice the
number of Mexicans.
Later that year, Mexican gov’t passed a law further
prohibiting American settlement b/c they were
worried about losing Texas to immigration.
By 1835, more than 30,000 Americans lived in Texas.
9. Texas Fights of Independence
In 1833, General Santa Anna took power in Mexico and
became a dictator.
American settlers demanded self-rule and in October, 1835,
these settlers clashed with Mexican troops, beginning the Texas
War for Independence.
Battle of the Alamo – an old Spanish Mission that had been
turned into a fortress by Texans; fewer than 200 men to defend
the fort; leaders were William Travis and James Bowie; lasted
13 days
On March 6th, Santa Ana’s soldiers made it inside the walls and
took no prisoners.
May 14, 1836, Santa Ana was captured and forced to sign the
Treaty of Velasco recognizing the Republic of Texas – Sam
Houston was their president, they had a constitution fashioned
after the US Constitution.
10. Texas Fights of Independence
In 1833, General Santa Anna took power in Mexico and
became a dictator.
American settlers demanded self-rule and in October, 1835,
these settlers clashed with Mexican troops, beginning the Texas
War for Independence.
Battle of the Alamo – an old Spanish Mission that had been
turned into a fortress by Texans; fewer than 200 men to defend
the fort; leaders were William Travis and James Bowie; lasted
13 days
On March 6th, Santa Ana’s soldiers made it inside the walls and
took no prisoners.
May 14, 1836, Santa Ana was captured and forced to sign the
Treaty of Velasco recognizing the Republic of Texas – Sam
Houston was their president, they had a constitution fashioned
after the US Constitution.
