Moving Westward U.S. Expansion Unit
Objec:ves 1. Describe methods used by sealers to travel westward in the early 1800 s. (7.4.4.18.1) 2. List the steps taken by Americans to improve roads. (7.4.4.18.1) 3. Explain how steamboats and canals affected transporta:on and economic growth. (7.4.4.18.1) 4. Explain how the United States gained Florida. (7.4.4.18.1)
I. To the Mississippi A. By the early 1800 s the West referred to the lands between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River. B. AXer the Louisiana Purchase, many sealers began moving west in large numbers. By 1820, so many folks had moved west that the popula:on of the original 13 states was declining.
I. To the Mississippi (con t) C. One of the first routes to the West was the Great Wagon Road. This road traveled across Pennsylvania and south into South Carolina. In Pennsylvania sealers would travel to PiAsburgh and travel by water down the Ohio River into western lands.
I. To the Mississippi (con t) D. Flatboats were used on the Ohio River to navigate the shallow water areas. Even while carrying heavy cargos, these rax- like barges rode high in the water.
I. To the Mississippi (con t) E. Another route to the West was through a trail called the Wilderness Road that led through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky. This was created by Daniel Boone. Review: What is believed to have caused the Cumberland Gap?
I. To the Mississippi (con t) F. SeAlers traveling through this area came by covered wagons such as a Conestoga wagon.
I. To the Mississippi (con t) G. Before long, some western territories had gained popula:ons large enough to apply for statehood. These states included Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois, and Alabama.
II. Mee:ng the Need for BeAer Roads A. Roads in the early sealement days were poor at best. Roads were narrow trails. Tree stumps stuck up through them oxen breaking axels on the wagons. The na:on was in dire need of beaer roads. Improvements to Roads: 1. private companies built gravel and stone roads 2. to pay for the roads, the companies collected tolls from travelers. These roads were called turnpikes.
II. Mee:ng the Need for BeAer Roads B. The best road in the U.S. was the Lancaster Turnpike. It connected Lancaster, PA to Philadelphia. Because it was set on gravel, water drained off quickly. It was also topped with smooth flat stones. Roads that didn't have gravel beds tended to develop deep holes when it rained. (con t)
II. Mee:ng the Need for BeAer Roads C. Another type of early road was called a corduroy road. These roads were built in swampy areas out of logs and packed earth. They kept wagons from sinking but were VERY bumpy. (con t)
II. Mee:ng the Need for BeAer Roads (con t) D. Another improvement in the building of roads was the use of covered bridges. Wooden bridges roaed quickly and were difficult to maintain. Stone bridges were too expensive. Covered bridges slowed the decay of wooden bridges making them last longer. Link to Present: How has technology changed that does not require the use of covered bridges today?
II. Mee:ng the Need for BeAer Roads (con t) E. In 1806, Congress approved money for the Na:onal Road. This road would run from Cumberland, Maryland to Wheeling, in western Virginia. Eventually it would be extended to Vandalia, Illinois. Eventually this road would be a major route for sealers moving west. What major river does the Na6onal Road run along? Review: What Cons:tu:onal Goal is being u:lized here?
III. Steam Transport A. Whenever possible travelers used river transporta:on. River travel was faster and more comfortable than bumping along ruaed roads. B. A challenge of river travel was moving upstream against the river s currents. Many :mes long poles had to be used to push the boat against the current or the boat had to be pulled by mule teams along the river s shores. Both were very slow.
III. Steam Transport (con t) C. In 1787, John Fitch created a boat powered by a steam engine. He briefly had a ferry service on the Delaware River. D. In 1807, Robert Fulton launched his own steamboat called the Clermont. The Clermont traveled on its first voyage from Albany to NYC and back, in only 62 hours. This was a record for a 300 mile journey.
III. Steam Transport (con t) E. Fulton s success ushered in the age of steamboats. These were ini:ally used along the Atlan:c coast for passenger and cargo transporta:on. It also set the stage for widespread use on the rivers of the West such as the Ohio River, Missouri River, and the Mississippi River.
III. Steam Transport (con t) F. To u:lize the steam engines on the shallow watered rivers of the west, Henry Shreve designed a flat- boaomed steamboat that could carry heavy loads yet not get stuck on the sandbars of the rivers.
IV. The Canal Boom A. Steamboats and improved roads alone were not enough to get farmers goods directly to market. To help achieve this, canals were built to allow boats to cross a stretch of land. B. Early canals tended to be short. They typically connected to rivers to lakes or were used to bypass hazards like waterfalls. However, by the early 1800 s longer canals were star:ng to be built.
IV. The Canal Boom (con t) C. The leaders of New York, under the leadership of DewiA Clinton, had a bold idea create a canal that would link Lake Erie to the Atlan:c Ocean. This would be known as the Erie Canal.
IV. The Canal Boom (con t) D. Erie Canal: Links the Great Lakes with the Mohawk River and the Hudson River and then to the Atlan:c Ocean.
IV. The Canal Boom (con t) E. A canal would allow farmers to ship goods to the port of New York City at a frac:on (1/20th) of the cost of shipping goods downstream to New Orleans and would be much faster.
IV. The Canal Boom (con t) F. The canal helped New York City become a major center of commerce. Also, towns and businesses would flourish along the canal route. G. The building and success of the Erie Canal led to many other large- scale canals being built around the United States.
The Erie Canal By Thomas Allen (Performed by Bruce Springsteen) I've got a mule and her name is Sal FiXeen miles on the Erie Canal She's a good old worker and a good old pal FiXeen miles on the Erie Canal Where would I be if I lost my pal FiXeen miles on the Erie Canal I'd like to see a mule good as my Sal FiXeen miles on the Erie Canal We haul'd some barges in our day Filled with lumber, coal, and hay We know every inch of the way From Albany to Buffalo Low bridge, everybody down Low bridge, yeah we're coming to a town And you'll always know your neighbor And you'll always know your pal If ya ever navigated on the Erie Canal We'd beaer look around for a job, old gal FiXeen miles on the Erie Canal You can bet your life I'll never part with Sal FiXeen miles on the Erie Canal Get up mule, here comes a lock We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock One more trip and back we'll go Right back home to Buffalo Low bridge, everybody down Low bridge, we're coming to a town You'll always know your neighbor And you'll always know your pal If ya ever navigated on the Erie Canal A friend of mine once got her sore Now he's got a broken jaw 'Cause she let fly with an iron toe And kicked him back to Buffalo Low bridge, everybody down Low bridge 'cause we're coming to a town You'll always know your neighbor And you'll always know your pal If ya ever navigated on the Erie Canal Low bridge, everybody down Low bridge, we're coming to a town You'll always know your neighbor And you'll always know your pal If ya ever navigated on the Erie Canal Low bridge, everybody down* Low bridge, we're coming to a town* You'll always know your neighbor* And you'll always know your pal* If ya ever navigated on the Erie Canal* Low bridge, everybody down Low bridge, we're coming to a town
V. Gaining Florida A. In 1819, Spain agreed to sell Florida to the United States for $5 million. This treaty was known as the Adams- Onis Treaty. The treaty did not go into effect un:l 1821.
V. Gaining Florida (con t) B. In addi:on to giving up Florida, the Adams- Onis Treaty also sealed a boundary dispute over American and Spanish lands in the West.