How much does geography shape identity? Consider that the early republic established many norms for the nation before the Civil War. Technology, communication, transportation, jobs, homes, the land, relationships, and more were all established in this time of tremendous change. Where would you live if you could choose a particular region?
THE NORTHEAST (284) What are the characteristics of the Northeast? Is it based on the people or the geographic conditions? Reading through the text, also take a look at how the land is used. Firewood, for instance, was burned at huge numbers. Livestock was precious. Also consider the map on the bottom of page 285. Notice where early industries are located. Is there a pattern? Also, think about what’s important to remember in a map in your AP text. Look for those relationships… not just want it says specifically but what inferences you can make from the information on the map. That’s the key. We’ll do a lot of that in class this year.
THE SOUTH (287) Cotton, cotton, cotton. On of the first important points you should note in your text is the list provided at the beginning of the section. This is a good study technique: look for lists. Often your book puts ideas together for a specific reason. Here it is: “A fortuitous combination of circumstances fueled the transformation: the growing demand for raw cotton by textile mills in England and the American Northeast; wonderfully productive virgin soil; a long, steamy growing season; an ample supply of slave labor; and southern planters’ long experience in producing and marketing staple crops.” Also notice the statistics of change. Notice that the text mentions cotton production in one year and then another. There’s lots of inferences there. Think about the change; don’t just memorize it.
TRANS-APPALACHIA (288) 900,000 settlers move west in just 20 years? Holy moley! That’s a huge demographic transformation. Consider how this affects different themes in US History. Here’s the list of themes. Look at it and then think about this one issue. How many themes can you connect to this section? How about some of the other sections?
Oh, there’s another quote I’d like you to consider: “In this constantly shifting “borderland,” people of different ethnicity, race, class, and regional origin mingled together, their conflicting social, economic, and cultural values often generating tension. But as they built new communities, they fashioned new ways of life, in the process strengthening belief in America as a land of opportunity.” Think about the ‘land of opportunity’ message. It’s true, for some, that there was widespread opportunity, but also consider the other side and then the question… Does opportunity for some have to come at a cost to others? Are there other situations like this in US History? Are there examples where this question is not true?
THE NATION’S CITIES (289) Cities grew. Bye, bye Jefferson’s vision of America. Hey, what’s up! to Hamilton’s vision. 30% of the nations population was in interior cities by 1830. Wow. That speaks volumes about the growth of the internal trade network, transportation and migration. Cities are very American, though, and so the question has to be asked about how much of a role they played in the development of a distinct American culture and identity versus that role of the frontier and farms.
About Administrator
