Chapter 11 & 12

Part 2

Immigration to the United States

increased between 1840 and 1860. 1.5 million Irish immigrants arrived in

the United States, mainly in the Northeast.

Immigration

Many Irish immigrants came to the United

States to escape the potato famine in Ireland. Famine: widespread starvation. While many of these Irish immigrants were

farmers, they could not afford land. Many were forced to accept low paying jobs in

northern factories.

Immigration

Many people in the United States opposed immigration. Nativists: white, American born protestants who

opposed immigration. Nativists were angry that many immigrants would work

for a lower wage, thus taking jobs in cities. Many nativists accused immigrants of bringing crime

and disease to American cities.

Conflict

Although slavery was abolished in Northern

states by the early 1800’s, African Americans faced discrimination in the North.

African American found it difficult to get jobs in factories or skilled trades.

In addition, segregation (separation by race) existed in nearly every aspect of Northern public life.

Discrimination

In the late 1700’s slavery was on the decline

in the south. But Eli Whitney’s 1793 invention

singlehandedly saves the institution of slavery. As the need for cotton increased so did the

need for slave labor.

Rise in Agriculture

The Deep South (Georgia, South Carolina,

Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana) primarily grew cotton.

“King Cotton” led to development of huge, sprawling plantations.

Slavery

Southerners believed slavery was needed for

the southern economy to thrive. Plantation owners considered the number of

slaves they owned as part of their wealth.

Slavery

In 1831 a slave named Nat Turner led a revolt

in Virginia killing 55 whites. This revolt led to the creation of various slave

codes. Slave Codes: laws that controlled every

aspect of a slaves life.

Slavery

Examples of slave codes include:1.Slaves could not be taught how to read or write.2.Slaves could not leave the plantation without the owner’s permission.3.Slaves could not assemble without a white person present.4.Slave owners could abolish marriages between slaves and separate families. 5.Slaves could be punished by lashing.

Slavery

Slaves actually had a variety of jobs on the

plantations. Some slaves worked in the house cooking and

cleaning. Other African Americans were trained

blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers and weavers.

Most enslaved African Americans, however, were field hands supervised by an overseer.

Slavery

The more cotton the south grew the more

southern planters depended on slave labor. With the United States expanding West, would

slavery expand as well?

Slavery

The United States had a need for good roads

to make travel easier and more efficient. Private companies began constructing

turnpikes, or toll roads. Travelers would pay a fee which was used to

help pay for the construction of the roads.

Moving West

The alternative to traveling by land was by

river. Traveling by river had two major problems:1. Most rivers in the eastern United States

flowed north to south, unfortunately, many people wanted to travel east to west.

2. Traveling against the current was extremely difficult.

Moving West

Canal: a man made waterway The Erie Canal would link New York City

to the Great Lakes.

Moving West

The most serious issue that plagued the U.S.

during the first half of the 1800’s was the expansion of slavery.

In 1819 the United States had 11 free states and 11 slave states.

In 1820, Missouri wanted to become a state which caused huge debate.

Slavery Expands West

In 1820, the South wanted Missouri admitted

into the Union as a slave state. Northerners wanted Missouri to be a free

state. Henry Clay helped work out a compromise

between this North and South debate. This plan became known as The Missouri

Compromise.

Compromise

The Missouri Compromise:

1. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state and Maine would be a free state.

2. The agreement banned slavery in the remainder of the Louisiana Territory (north of the 36 30’ parallel).

Compromise

The Missouri Compromise

By 1804, Northern states had ended slavery

within their borders. Many people searched for the end of the

institution of slavery.

Abolition Movement

William Lloyd Garrison

Quaker

Wrote the abolitionist newspaper “Liberator”

Favored full political rights for African Americans

Frederick Douglass

Escapes slavery by running away to the north

Outspoken against slavery Dangerous

Becomes one of the most famous orators of all time.

Harriet Tubman

Former slave

Conductor on the Underground Railroad

Helps over 300 people escape slavery “Black Moses”

$40,000 reward for her capture

A network of safe houses for escaped slaves.

Underground Railroad