Westward Expansion and
Population Growth
1790-1860
Main ideas
In the early 1800’s, the US was expanding.
 It was physically growing westward.
 The population was increasing.
 Cities were growing.
 Immigration was on the rise.
The Westward Movement
 Andrew Jackson’s rise: example of western
influence
 Before 1850, 50% of Americans were under
30
 The demographic center (term A) moved
past the Ohio River by 1860
Frontier Life (SG Question #1)
 Frontier life was rugged and grim.
 All necessities were scarce (food, clothes,
shelter)
 Disease, depression (from loneliness) and
premature death were common
Primary Source
From: The Effect of Climate on the Health of Americans,
Thomas Cather, 1836
 The appearance of the people, particularly those who
dwell to the Eastward of the Alleghanies, proves that
the climate is unhealthy. The men are almost
invariably bad complexioned, lathy, wall sided, round
shouldered fellows…I don't suppose that a set of
such looking men could be met with anywhere else
than America. The women are generally thin and pale
faced, with smallish ricketty figures.

Taken from http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DETOC/fem/health.htm
Western Landscape: Revered or
Threatened? (SG Question #2)
Ecological Imperialism
 Tobacco exhausted the soil
 Ideal livestock conditions attracted
thousands of settlers
 Over-hunting nearly wiped out several
species.
Pristine, natural beauty
 Painted by Catlin (see next slide)
 Spirit of nationalism = American land is a
treasured resource
 Eventually, this view led to the national park
system.
George Catlin – American painter
 Catlin painting of Native Americans hunting Buffalo
The March of the Millions
Population Growth (SG#3 – causes & problems – next slide)
 Causes
 High birthrate
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By 1850, US pop. Still doubling every 25 yrs!
By 1860 – 33 states
US – 4th most populous nation in Western world
1790: 2 US cities over 20,000 (Philly and NY)
1860: 43 cities over 20,000!
 Another Cause
 Immigration
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Peaked in 1840’s and 1850’s from Ireland and
Germany
Europe was overcrowded
America = Freedom
Land was abundant in US
Steamships shortened
travel time to 12 days
The March of the Millions
Population Growth (SG#3 – problems )
 Problems of Urbanization* (urban growth)
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Smelly slums
Poor street
lighting
Corrupt police
Poor Sanitation
Impure water /
sewer systems
Rats and pigs
Disease
Review questions
All of the following are true of the growth in the
US in the early 1800’s except…
 A. immigration added to the population
 B. The rural population grew faster than the
urban one
 C. High birthrates were partly responsible.
 D. The nation expanded in a westerly
direction
Answer #1
B. The rural population
grew faster than the urban
one
Review Questions
 Short answer:
 Name at least two of the species that was
dramatically over-hunted to the point of near
extinction in the 1800’s.
Answer #2
Beaver
Buffalo
Sea Otter