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Themes of the Young Nation Period Growth/Manifest Destiny During the Young Nation period, the population of the United States increased by 500%, from around 4 million in 1790 to more than 23 million in 1850. To accommodate this growth in population, there was an accompanying growth in land area. Acquisitions by purchase, treaty, or other means resulted in an increase of more than 2 million square miles of territory. The nation, spurred by the philosophy of Manifest Destiny, stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Political Parties Despite the warning of President Washington that political parties would be detrimental to the nation, political parties enjoyed tremendous growth during the Young Nation period. The early Federalists and Anti-Federalists were the first political groups to form. However, because of the tremendous influence of and respect for President Washington, factional problems were kept to a minimum, although some philosophical differences emerged over the issue of the National Bank. As soon as President Washington left office, party battles broke out. From the time of Jefferson, through the Era of Good Feelings under James Monroe, to the disputed election of 1824, the Democratic-Republicans occupied the office of the Presidency. In 1828, Andrew Jackson, who believed that he had been cheated in the 1824 election, organized the Democratic Party and won the election. The Republican Party began in 1854 as sectionalism grew in the United States. Although the parties have changed roles and philosophies over the years, America continues to be a 2-party system. Foreign Affairs In his Farewell Address, George Washington advised America to avoid “foreign entanglements.” His advice was meant to ensure that the Young Nation had time to grow strong in relative safety. Subsequent administrations were not able to follow this advice, as they were drawn into centuries-old European political maneuvering. One final attempt at neutrality and isolationism was made by James Monroe who essentially told Europe to stay out of the Americas. The Louisiana Purchase was made possible because Napoleon Bonaparte needed the money to finance one of his wars, and the War of 1812, caused by (among other things) French and British hostilities, settled some issues between England and the United States once and for all. The Texas Revolution paved the way for the United States to get involved in Mexican politics, with the result that the United States fought the Mexican War and ended up owning all of the territory from Texas to the Pacific which had formerly belonged to Mexico. This fulfilled Manifest Destiny. Industrialization The Industrial Revolution in the United States changed virtually everything about the country. Improvements in transportation, particularly the steamboat and the development of railroads and canal systems, encouraged industrial expansion. Because of cheaper rates and shorter travel times, businesses were able to ship more goods further west. This encouraged more people to move to the West because they could get the goods they wanted. Changes in agriculture helped the industrial development in the North. Improved steel plows, the cotton gin, and the grain-reaping machine helped farmers in the West and the South produce more agricultural goods. These goods were then shipped along railroads and waterways to towns where meatpacking plants, flour mills, and textile factories turned them into finished products which supported the populations of growing urban areas in the North where factory workers could not produce their own food. In the South, the cotton gin increased the production of cotton and the need for slaves. Cotton supplied an expanding textile industry in the Northeastern United States and England. Reform Not all results of the Industrial Revolution were good. The growing industrialization of the nation ironically also produced poverty as owners hired people for lower and lower wages. This was made possible because of an oversupply of workers due to increased immigration to this country. In addition to the new problems caused by the Industrial Revolution, there were the old problems of slavery, restricted roles and opportunities for women, abusive treatment of prisoners and the mentally ill, and limited education for America’s children. © 2007 Houston Independent School District Themes of the Young Nation Period Growth/Manifest Destiny Political Parties Foreign Affairs Industrialization Population increased by more than 19 million. Parties started as Federalists and AntiFederalists. Area increased by more than 2 million square miles. Developed after Went to war President against Britain Washington. in 1812. Democratic The country Party founded extended from in 1828 by the Atlantic to the Andrew Pacific. Jackson President Washington pursued neutrality. Monroe Doctrine proclaimed in 1823. Mexican War Reform Improvements in Education transportation (steamboat, Women’s Rights railroads, canals). Prisoners/Mentally Ill Improvements in agriculture (steel Abolition plow, McCormick Reaper, cotton Temperance gin). Development of factory system in the North. Republican Party began in 1854. © 2007 Houston Independent School District Secondary Social Studies