Critical Changes in American Society from the 1790s to 1840s

Learning about American society’s life in a certain historical period can significantly improve understanding of the causes of key changes in the nation’s history. Politics, culture, and economics are closely related to each other and, to a large extent, determine the systems of values in society. Thus, exploration of American society’s social, economic, and political climate from the 1790s to 1840s can provide important information about the nation’s changes after the War of 1812.

Firstly, considering the cultural and political climate in the country, the early republic period before the war was characterized by the commitment to diplomacy in relationships with Native American tribes. Politicians avoided escalating conflicts with Native Americans as warfare carried significant losses for all sides. However, the struggle for freedom and liberation of territories from the American expansionists resulted in Native Americans’ involvement in both sides of the conflict in the War of 1812.¹ While many of the Native American tribes aligned with the British to support their own war with United States, Major Ridge was one of the people who fought on the side of the Americans.² Ridge attempted to protect the interests of Native Americans during the Indian Removal, but eventually was executed by other Cherokees who believed that Ridge betrayed his people for participating in Treaty Party. Thus, the War of 1812 left a significant mark on the internal conflict in Native American tribes and their relationships with the United States.

Furthermore, the American economy from the 1790s to the 1840s can be characterized by attempts to create a centralized system for transportation and a strong banking system that would unify all states. The need for international improvements was emphasized by James Madison in his call for congress.³ Individual state authorities already focused on the construction of internal roads and navigable canals; therefore, it was the duty of the government to make the necessary efforts to provide transportation between the states. The American system proposed by Henry Clay with the goal of improving the internal operations in the United States included such measures as support for domestic manufacturers and the creation of a strong banking system.⁴ The Bank of the United States at that time presented a private institution operated by stockholders from the elite classes.⁵ Thus, the bank was making profits by loaning federal deposits. During Andrew Jackson’s presidency, the funds from the national bank were transferred to other smaller banks to increase credits to farmers and merchants.⁶ Therefore, the baking system was changed to meet the conditions of a rapidly developing economy.

Lastly, the tariff system initially intended to increase the price of imported goods to increase the competitiveness of local production goods. While most of the domestic manufactures were located in the North of the country, the southern states primarily focused on agriculture. Thus, the southern states primarily operated on the export of raw materials and the import of manufactured goods.⁷ In such conditions, the tariff system was unprofitable for the southern states, which led to further confrontations between the federal government and South Carolina.

In conclusion, this essay described and analyzed key changes the American society experienced in cultural, political, and economic spheres in the period from the 1790s to the 1840s. The essay defined that despite diplomatic relationships with Native Americans during the early republic period, the War of 1812 left a significant negative imprint on further relationships between Native American tribes and the United States. Next, the essay identified how the economic development in the years after the war was characterized by the confrontation between the northern and southern parts of the country and different perspectives on favorable trading conditions. Lastly, the essay indicated that the government’s main goal was to create a stable internal system for ensuring interaction between different states.

Footnotes

1. Samuel G. Drake, “Tecumseh Calls for Pan-Indian Resistance, 1810,” The Book of the Indians; or, the Biography and History of the Indians of North America, from its first discovery to the year 1841 (Boston: 1836), 121-122.
2. “Cherokee Leader Major Ridge and the Indian Removal Act,” YouTube video, 5:25, posted by GBP education, Web.
3. Madison, James, “James Madison Asks Congress to Support Internal Improvements, 1815,” The Speeches, Addresses, and Messages of the Several Presidents of the United States (Philadelphia: 1825), 330-335.
4. “The American System,” YouTube video, 2:16, posted by NBC News Learn, Web.
5. “The War against the Bank,” YouTube video, 3:55, posted by NBC News Learn, Web.
6. Andrew Jackson, “Andrew Jackson’s Veto Message Against Re-chartering the Bank of the United States, 1832”, A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, 1789-1908 (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1908), 576-591.
7. “The Nullification Crisis,” YouTube video, 3:47, posted by NBC News Learn, Web.