the northern states, and the institution gradually began to die out. Tendency toward Abolition. The first state to prohibit the institution was Pennsylvania, where the Quaker population had long tried to secure its abolition. In 1787 a law prohibiting the importation of foreign slaves into the United States was discussed. Afterwards a compromise was adopted and went into effect in 1808. After this many of the New England states which had been interested in the slave trade abolished the institution altogether. In 1787 an ordinance was passed by Congress prohibiting slavery in Northwest territory. So, little by little, here and there, the tendency toward abolition grew. The Effect of the Cotton Gin. When Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793 a new interest in slavery was developed, because by this invention, which easily separated the lint from the seed, cotton raising became very profitable. The new lands of the South which were adapted to the culture of cotton were quickly taken up and many plantations were opened. Negroes were very much in demand in these new lands. There was a constant shifting of the institution from the North toward the farm lands of the southern states. By 1815 the majority of the negroes in the United States were south of Pennsylvania. Slavery in Missouri. — Missouri was a part of the Louisiana Purchase. In its early history, when it was under the domination of the French and Spanish governments, slavery existed within its borders. During the great migration toward the west after the War of 1812, many southern people moved into Missouri and carried their slaves with them. When Missouri asked to be admitted as a slaveholding state, the question arose in Congress as to this privilege. The Compromise. Members of Congress from free states wished to have Missouri come in as a free state, but S those from the slaveholding states urged their support of the Missouri constitution. After serious debate a compromise was finally accepted which allowed Missouri to come in as a slaveholding state, but prohibited slavery in any of the territory purchased from France north of the southern boundary of this state. This compromise on the question of slavery literally divided the United States geographically into two sections. From that time forward the question of a state's privilege to extend the institution of slavery was destined to become a grave national issue. The Monroe Doctrine, 1823. - After the downfall of Napoleon, there was formed in Europe an alliance of many of the great nations for the purpose of assisting one another should a revolution break out within their borders. France had assisted Spain to reestablish the monarchy in that country. As Spain had recently lost many of her American possessions through revolts, the Holy Alliance, as it was called, offered to assist Spain in the recovery of her possessions. Both England and the United States had acknowledged the independence of the new republics and formed commercial treaties with them that seemed mutually profitable. Moreover, Russia, who was a member of the Holy Alliance, had pushed her seal-fishing interests from Alaska as far south as the Spanish town of San Francisco in California and had declared that the Pacific Ocean from Siberia to America north of Oregon was not open to navigation. If the Holy Alliance should assist Spain in the recovery of her colonies, it was possible that Spain might reward the countries in the Alliance with certain possessions. This act would transfer the European policies to America and perhaps cause grave trouble. On December 23, 1823, President Monroe in a message to Congress stated certain policies in regard to foreign countries. These policies were adopted by Congress and are known as the Monroe Doctrine. Its chief points are as follows: First, that these American continents by the free and independent position which they have assumed and maintained are not subjects for future colonization. Second, that where a Republican form of government has been assumed and maintained that it shall not be interfered with, nor a monarchical form of government set up in its stead. Third, that the policy of the United States has been, and shall be, not to interfere with European policies, and that in return the United States expects European nations to respect American policies and furthermore, any attempt on the part of European nations to extend their systems will be deemed unfriendly to the United States. The nations accepted this declaration of President Monroe. Russia removed her interest from San Francisco. No attempt was made to overthrow the South American republics. This Doctrine has become known as one of the greatest policies of the United States. It has been reasserted from time to time with signal effect. TOPICAL OUTLINE Era of Good Feeling. I. Inauguration of President Monroe. II. American Tariff System. III. United States Bank. IV. Purchase of Florida. V. Missouri Compromise. VI. Monroe Doctrine. REVIEW QUESTIONS 1. What was meant by the "Era of good feeling"? 2. Who was President at this time? Tell something of his political ideas. 3. What had been the tariff system up to this time, and what changes were made in it during this administration? 4. What had been the banking system up to this time and what changes, if any, were made during this administration? 5. What was the West Florida Revolution? 6. Under what circumstances was Florida purchased? 7. Give a brief account of the early history of slave labor in the United States. 8. How did England force the American colonists to use slave labor? 9. Were there any efforts toward the abolition of slavery in the United States in early times? 10. How did the invention of the cotton gin increase the need for laborers in the South? II. What controversy arose in Congress over the question of the admission of Missouri into the Union? 12. Discuss the adoption of the Missouri Compromise. 13. Why was the Monroe Doctrine announced? 14. What are the principal features of this policy? REFERENCES Curtis United States and Foreign Powers. CHAPTER XVI ERA OF INDUSTRIAL CHANGE Improvements. The period between 1816 and 1840 was marked by many improvements that affected the national life of the American people and caused a rapid development of the middle West. We shall take up the principal ones and note their influence. Good Roads. As early as 1806 the United States government undertook to construct a well-graded wagon road from Cumberland on the Potomac River to Wheeling on the Ohio. This road was about eighty feet wide, paved |