U.S. 1800-1860 During the 1800-1860

¶ … U.S. 1800-1860

During the 1800-1860 period, the United States underwent major change and development processes. The commencement of the expansion was represented by the desire of President Jefferson to control the port in New Orleans. The port represented a door to international trade and a better position in political and economic negotiations. In this setting then, the Americans set out to negotiate with the French -- the patrons of Louisiana at that time.

Napoleon Bonaparte's response was quite positive for the Americans. In those days, the French occupants were dealing with revolts from the slaves and were engaged in addressing these problems. Additionally, to the benefit of the Americans, the slave riots increased the French's need for money and allowed the Americans to negotiate better terms for the purchase of New Orleans.

The westward expansion of the United States as such commenced with the acquisition of Louisiana. The efforts of the American administration however did not cease and focused on purchasing as many states at possible. At the turn of the eighteenth century, the United States was only comprised on thirteen states: New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, Georgia and North and South Carolina (Son of the South). Gradually however, during the following century, the country united with all of its states and formed the larger United States of America.

During the period, massive migration of populations was observed towards the west. Populations from all over Europe moved to the United States and lead to the massive increase in the country's population. In the west for instance, before the exodus commenced, a mere 7 per cent of the American population was inhabiting the region. After the population movement, 60 per cent of the American population was living in the West.

"Following the American Revolution, Americans swarmed to the West. Kentucky and Tennessee provided the beachhead for the vanguard of land-hungry settlers. After the War of 1812 subsequent waves of pioneers flowed into the Ohio River valley, the Great Lake states, the Gulf Plain, and the Mississippi River valley. Still more moved to Oregon and California in the 1840s and into Kansas by the 1850s. By the Civil War much of the territory between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic, as well as areas along the Pacific coast and in the Southwest, had been settled by the descendants of Europeans" (Bookrags.com).

The causes which led to the massive exodus of the population towards the western region of the United States are rather complex. For once, it could be argued that an important role was played by the pioneering spirit, as people moved west to start over a new life, to explore new possibilities. Then, from a more practical standpoint, it could be argued that the west attracted the populations due to its lower costs on land purchase. While unable to purchase land in their original locations, Europeans and Americans alike moved to the West as this region presented them with the ability to capitalize more on their money. Additionally, the decreased cost of transportation would have also contributed to the movement of the population. Last, it is also argued that the migration was generated by technological developments. All these in essence worked together to create a more appealing image of the West and it came to a situation in which the actual exodus led other people to also move to the West.

"Population growth and technological innovation worked in concert as the main driving factors of Western Expansion. Specifically, the decrease in transportation costs induced Western migration and the redistribution of the American population -- without it only 30% of the population would have been in the West in 1900, compared to an actual historical figure of 60%. Land improvement technology, such as the use of barbed wire to cut down on the time needed to build a fence, had a small effect on the accumulation of land in the West" (Science Daily, 2008).

However seldom assessed as an actual cause of the westward expansion, the gold played a significant role in attracting more people to the region. The precious metal came to be found in various regions of the West and word quickly circulated. People as such came to the West to search for gold.

One notable example in this sense is represented by the California Gold Rush of 1848-1855. In those days, gold was found on the ground and could be simply picked up, so people from all over the U.S. came to California. Word however traveled fast and caught the attention of Europeans, Latin Americans and even Asians. Altogether, it was estimated than an additional 300,000 people came to California as a result of the Gold Rush (Learn California).