American history in the period between 1820and 1865 was characterized by numerous occurrences and changes that triggered the civil war and other post war events In the region. This period defined the various future shapes of the American economy, politics as well as social life. The most appropriate name for the period is thus, in my opinion, “The Incubation era”. This is due to the fact that during the period the country underwent multiple foundation establishments that contributed to the birth of the present America. The America that existed over this period took different forms that had to be realigned to form a compact America again. It was a period of numerous revolutions/ changes that contributed to the eventual wars and foundations of the present America. The period was characterized by national landmarks such as market revolution, the westward movement, and democracy and slavery expansion.
For instance, the economic frontier was characterized by a market revolution all over the country. Since by that time the state of American technology was still at low levels, the revolution speeded up the economic and technological developments that that the colonialists had left incomplete or untouched. Infrastructure was set up and developed in this era to a recommendable level. For instance, the toll roads, railroads, telegraph, canals and steamboats were constructed and put into use. A cotton kingdom also emerged during this period despite the inclination of the revolution to the West. Both the North and the South became vibrant in the production of cotton textiles by the use of water driven machines. (Foner)
Slavery was also rampant in the in the era as it was the main source of labor in the cotton firms and the slaves at times formed the objects of trade. Infrastructural developments led to the emergence of towns, factories, immigration and the emergence of nativism. In the 1830’s there came up a vibrant society that could face the Europeans without fear and could demand for their freedom. The birth of the “sovereign individual” out of the market revolution led to the emergence of individualism that encouraged personal independence. (Foner)
Politically, this was the period when democracy was conceived in the country and instilled in the citizens. This came to realization in 1829 when Andrew Jackson was sworn in as the president of USA. The era under Jackson was characterized by increased democratic practices for the citizens and this gave US the pride of having the oldest democracy in the world. Due to the independence of individuals in the market revolution, the participants in the market exercised democracy over their property in that an individual could own and dispose their own property without interruption of other individuals or the state. The democratic foundation laid in this period hit a historical mark in 1840 when at least nine tenths of the adult male white populations were able to vote. This discriminative democracy, against the black, has persisted to date. The current challenge posed by racism was born during this period when the racial democracy was inculcated in the people’s minds socialization. In the 1830’s, the blacks were considered a different group in the US despite the country and its citizens being obsessed with equality. Race coupled with class culminated discrimination and differentiation of citizens in the country of “equality”. (Johnson and Wilentz)
At the dawn of the civil war, the adoption and application of technology in warfare became inevitable as the country went into the war. Despite the existing primitive culture, the country opted to venture into minimal technology at war that could be blended with public opinion and propaganda. The military was established and it adopted valid strategies to pursue victory at war.
It was during this period that the foundations of the US were laid, political, economic and social, and thus the name “incubation period”. It’s the period when nearly all the current economic, political and social patterns in the US were founded or initiated.
Works Cited
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 2014. Print.
Johnson, Paul E and Sean Wilentz. The Kingdom Of Matthias. New York: Oxford University
Press, 1994. Print.
