The Pursuit Of Ideals Or Material Gains More Important

The Pursuit Of Ideals Or Material Gains More Important In

Was the pursuit of ideals or material gains more important in shaping the United States in the years before 1865? This question probes the fundamental forces that drove the formative years of the nation, specifically whether ideological motivations or material concerns played a more decisive role in shaping policies, society, and expansion. Throughout the first half of HIST 2010, we have examined various factors influencing America's development, classifying them broadly into two categories: those driven by ideology—such as religious beliefs, political ideas, and philosophical values—and those driven by material interests, including land acquisition and wealth accumulation. While both aspects were influential, this essay argues that in the period leading up to 1865, material concerns—particularly land acquisition and economic expansion—were more pivotal in shaping the United States’ trajectory, although ideological factors also played significant, intertwined roles.

Introduction

The growth of the United States prior to 1865 was marked by rapid territorial expansion, economic pursuits, and evolving political ideas. This period encompassed pivotal events including westward expansion, the Louisiana Purchase, Mexican-American War, and debates over slavery. Analyzing these developments reveals a core emphasis on material gains, primarily land and economic opportunities, which often overshadowed purely ideological pursuits. Nonetheless, ideological motives such as American exceptionalism, religious motivations, and political principles also infused the nation’s expansion and policies, creating a complex interplay between material interests and ideological ideals.

Material Concerns as Drivers of Expansion

The profound drive for land acquisition was central to shaping the United States’ expansionist policies before 1865. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803, which doubled the size of the young nation, exemplified the importance of territorial growth driven by economic and strategic interests (Horsman, 1981). This acquisition was motivated by a desire to control vital trade routes, secure economic opportunities, and enable westward movement—an overarching material concern for resources and land.

The doctrine of Manifest Destiny further accentuated the material motivation behind American expansion. As articulated by John L. O'Sullivan in 1845, the belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the continent justified territorial acquisitions and conflicts (O'Sullivan, 1845). This ideology justified the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Trail settlement, and the Mexican-American War, all of which were deeply rooted in material interests—primarily land, wealth, and economic dominance.

The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) was driven largely by economic interests and territorial ambitions. Leaders sought to expand American territory for land suitable for agriculture and economic development, and to secure strategic positions in the Southwest. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo with Mexico resulted in the acquisition of California and New Mexico, opening vast opportunities for resource extraction and settlement (Hietala, 1985). These territorial gains had immediate material benefits and were pursued aggressively to fuel economic growth and secure economic security for the nation.

Economic Expansion and Wealth Accumulation

Economic pursuits, including the fur trade, plantation agriculture, and the rise of industrialization, exemplify material concerns shaping the nation. The cotton gin’s invention in 1794 and the subsequent expansion of cotton plantations in the South exemplify how economic interests in material wealth drove societal changes, including the extension of slavery (Davis, 2006). The desire for economic prosperity incentivized southern land expansion and intensified slavery, reinforcing the economic motives more than purely ideological ones.

The rise of commerce and industrialization also propelled the pursuit of material gains. As markets expanded and infrastructure improved, economic motives prompted American entrepreneurs and politicians to pursue policies favoring territorial growth and resource exploitation. The construction of railroads, for example, was driven by the need to connect emerging markets and facilitate the movement of goods and people—a pursuit fundamentally rooted in material interests (Cheves, 2011).

Intertwining of Ideology and Material Concerns

While material concerns predominantly drove expansion and economic pursuits, ideological motives—such as American exceptionalism, notions of democracy, and religious motivations—were also influential. These ideas often justified material expansion; for instance, Manifest Destiny was underpinned by the belief that the nation’s growth was ordained by divine providence (Satz, 1978). Furthermore, religious motivations motivated settlement and missionary work, which provided moral justifications for expansion and the spread of American ideals.

However, the interdependence of ideology and material interests complicates the picture. The abolitionist movement, motivated by ideological opposition to slavery, had profound material implications, as it threatened the economic foundations of the Southern economy. Conversely, economic interests in maintaining slavery influenced political debates around abolition and states’ rights, illustrating the complex entanglement of ideas and material pursuits.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although ideological motives significantly influenced American identity and policy, the pre-1865 period was primarily driven by material concerns. Territorial expansion, economic pursuits, and resource acquisition formed the backbone of America’s growth. Material interests motivated the Louisiana Purchase, territorial wars, and economic developments that shaped the nation’s physical and economic landscape. Ideological motives often supported these pursuits or provided moral justifications, but it was the tangible material gains—land, wealth, and resources—that fundamentally propelled the United States towards becoming a continental power by 1865. Recognizing this interplay enriches our understanding of this formative period in American history.

References

• Davis, D. (2006). The Problem of Slavery in the Age of Revolution, 1770-1823. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
• Hietala, T. (1985). Manifest Design: American Exceptionalism and the Manifest Destiny Movement. Kent: Kent State University Press.
• Horsman, R. (1981). The Manifest Destiny Murders: The Louisiana Purchase and American Expansionism. New York: Harper & Row.
• Cheves, S. (2011). Expansion and Infrastructure Development in 19th Century America. University of Georgia Press.
• Satz, R. (1978). The Civil War and the Meaning of American History. Oxford University Press.
• O'Sullivan, J. L. (1845). “Annexation,” The Democratic Review, 16, 5-23.
• Hietala, T. (1985). Manifest Design: American Exceptionalism and the Manifest Destiny Movement. Kent: Kent State University Press.
• Davis, D. (2006). The Problem of Slavery in the Age of Revolution, 1770-1823. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
• Horsman, R. (1981). The Manifest Destiny Murders: The Louisiana Purchase and American Expansionism. New York: Harper & Row.
• Cheves, S. (2011). Expansion and Infrastructure Development in 19th Century America. University of Georgia Press.