Changes

From 1811 to 1818, the first national road was built.  Known as the Cumberland Road, it connected Cumberland, Maryland with Wheeling, now in West Virginia (then in Virginia).  It was built using funds obtained from the sale of lands in Ohio.

From 1811 to 1818, the first national road was built.  Known as the Cumberland Road, it connected Cumberland, Maryland with Wheeling, now in West Virginia (then in Virginia).  It was built using funds obtained from the sale of lands in Ohio.

The Second Bank of the United States was chartered by Congress because of financing failures during War of 1812.  The owners of the bank were both government and private companies.  Andrew Jackson refused to continue to allow this national bank to continue when he was president (Jackson vetoed a bill to recharter the bank).

The Second Bank of the United States was chartered by Congress because of financing failures during War of 1812.  The owners of the bank included both government and private companies.  Andrew Jackson refused to continue to allow this national bank to continue when he was president (Jackson vetoed a bill to recharter this bank).

The wealthiest man in the United States around 1840 was John Jacob Astor, who amassed his wealth first through fur trading and then by acquiring real estate in Manhattan.  He helped the United States pay for the War of 1812, and even earned a profit from that!  However, his great-grandson drowned when the Titanic sunk in 1912.

The wealthiest man in the United States around 1840 was John Jacob Astor, who amassed his fortune first through fur trading and then by acquiring real estate in Manhattan.  He helped the United States pay for the War of 1812, and even earned a profit from that!  However, his great-grandson drowned when the Titanic sunk in 1912.

A bit of Indian history during this time: Tecumseh was an Indian leader who built an Indian confederacy from 1791-1813 in order to fight against the United States in the Ohio valley.  He allied with the British during War of 1812.

A bit of Indian history during this time: Tecumseh was an Indian leader who built an Indian confederacy from 1791-1813 in order to fight against the United States in the Ohio valley.  He allied with the British during War of 1812.

In 1838, the "Trail of Tears" was a forced march of Cherokees to relocate them from Tennessee to Oklahoma, which tragically killed thousands of Indians during the grueling march.

In 1838, the "Trail of Tears" was a forced march of Cherokees to relocate them from Tennessee to Oklahoma, which tragically killed thousands of Indians during the grueling ordeal.

In 1836, Texas fought and won its independence from Mexico.  The Texas sought independence based on violation of settlers' rights under Mexico Constitution by Mexico.  In March of 1836, the Mexicans massacred the Texans (including Davey Crockett who came from Tennessee to help), but in April the Texas defeated the Mexican army and its General Santa Anna.  Sam Houston was elected the first President of the Republic of Texas(it did not yet join the United States).  General Santa Anna was released from captivity in November of 1836, and traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials.<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/timeline/timeline2.html</ref>

In 1836, Texas fought and won its independence from Mexico.  The Texans sought independence based on Mexico's violation of settlers' rights under Mexico Constitution.  In March of 1836, the Mexicans massacred the Texans (including Davey Crockett, who came from Tennessee to help), but in April the Texans defeated the Mexican army and its General Santa Anna.  Sam Houston was elected the first President of the Republic of Texas (it did not yet join the United States).  General Santa Anna was released from captivity in November of 1836, and traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with federal officials.<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/timeline/timeline2.html</ref>

There were social changes in the early-to-mid 1800s worth noting.  In 1826, the Lowell System consisted of factory-based cities, with the planning of the city and its housing based on the existence of jobs in the local factory.  Lowell, Massachusetts, was the first example.

There were social changes in the early-to-mid 1800s worth noting.  In 1826, the Lowell System consisted of factory-based cities, with the planning of the city and its housing based on the existence of jobs in the local factory.  Lowell, Massachusetts, was the first example.

There were reform movements worth noting: a movement to help the disabled flourished from 1817-1851; a movement to ban alcohol ("prohibition", or the "temperance movement") began in 1826 and lasted until the 18th Amendment passed in 1919 to ban alcohol nationwide (it was later repealed by the 21st Amendment during the [[Great Depression]]); and there were many experimental communities ("utopias") established from the 1820s to the 1840s.

There were reform movements worth noting: a movement to help the disabled flourished from 1817-1851; a movement to ban alcohol ("prohibition", or the "temperance movement") began in 1826 and lasted until the 18th Amendment passed in 1919 to ban alcohol nationwide (it was later repealed by the 21st Amendment during the [[Great Depression]]); and there were many experimental communities ("utopias") established from the 1820s to the 1840s.

And the most influential (and perhaps harmful) movement of all gained steam in the 1830s: public school education.  Horace Mann, a member of the Whig Party from New England, established the first state school board.  But public school would not reach its full extent seen today until the 20th century.

And the most influential (and perhaps harmful) movement of all gained steam in the 1830s: public school education.  Horace Mann, a member of the Whig Party from New England, established the first state school board.  But public school would not reach its full extent as seen today until the 20th century.

== References ==

== References ==