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[[Image:1840 map.gif|thumb|600px|right|The United States in 1840<br><small>([http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/borders/map1a.html Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies])</small>]]

[[Image:1840 map.gif|thumb|600px|right|The United States in 1840<br><small>([http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/lesson_plans/borders/map1a.html Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies])</small>]]

There were other significant developments as the United States grew immensely in population and wealth from 1800 to 1840.  Not everything in history is politics, war and foreign policy!

<br><br>There were other significant developments as the United States grew immensely in population and wealth from 1800 to 1840.  Not everything in history is politics, war and foreign policy!

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.

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 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 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>

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 at the Alamo (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.  The largest American church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), was founded during the 1830s, and Mitt Romney is both a leading member of that church and a leading candidate to be elected president in 2012.

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.

And the most influential (and perhaps the most 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 ==