Was The Pursuit Of Ideals Or Material Gains More Impo 822309

Was the pursuit of ideals or material gains more important in shaping the United States in the years before 1865?

Throughout the first half of HIST 2010, we’ve examined the factors that contributed to the development of the United States from a collection of British colonies into an independent nation. These factors can be grouped into two categories: those driven by ideology, including religion, political beliefs, and philosophical ideals, and those driven by material concerns such as land acquisition and the desire to accumulate wealth. Both ideological and material motivations played significant roles in shaping early American history, but their relative importance remains a topic of debate. This paper argues that the pursuit of material gains was the primary driver of America's development in the years before 1865, supported by evidence from the course readings.

The motivation for territorial expansion and economic development heavily influenced policies and actions in early America. The doctrine of Manifest Destiny exemplifies this material motivation; it embodied the belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent. As historians like Bauer (2014) point out, the desire for land and economic opportunity motivated the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Trail, and the Mexican-American War—actions that significantly expanded U.S. territory and economic power. These territorial pursuits were primarily driven by the material benefits of land — fertile farmland, access to resources, and strategic military positions — rather than ideological or spiritual ambitions.

Furthermore, the economic motives of early American entrepreneurs and investors played a central role in shaping the nation’s growth. The development of–and reliance on–slave labor in the cotton economy illustrates how material concerns directly influenced societal structures. The expansion of cotton plantations in the Deep South, fueled by the demand for textiles, drove the institutionalization of slavery, shaping the social and political fabric of the nation. As Webb (2010) argues, economic interests often overrode ideological pursuits, with the institution of slavery being sustained largely for material economic gains, despite its contradiction with emerging ideals of liberty and equality.

The government's policies also reflected material concerns. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 doubled U.S. territory at a relatively low cost and set the stage for westward expansion. This act was fundamentally motivated by the desire to secure access to vital resources and trade routes, solidifying material interests as a driving force. Similarly, the Homestead Act of 1862 encouraged settlement and development of the West, highlighting the emphasis on material gain through land acquisition.

Conversely, while ideological motives such as religious freedom and democratic ideals were potent, they often served to justify material pursuits. For example, the Puritans’ migration to New England was motivated by religious ideals, but it also enabled economic opportunities and land ownership. Additionally, the American Revolution was partly justified as a fight for liberty, but underlying motives included economic freedom from British trade restrictions and taxes—rooted in material economic interests (Parks, 2012).

While ideology certainly influenced American identity and inspired actions like the abolition movement and the push for republican governance, such ideals often clashed with material pursuits. The continued expansion of slavery and the conquest of new territories underscored how material gain often took precedence over ethical or ideological considerations. This is evident in the Missouri Compromise and subsequent debates over extension of slavery, reflecting conflicting motives that prioritized economic interests over moral or ideological consistency.

In conclusion, the evidence from course materials illustrates that, in the period before 1865, material concerns—land acquisition, economic expansion, and wealth accumulation—were more influential in shaping the development of the United States than ideals. While ideological motives played a role in shaping American identity and providing moral justification, they frequently served to legitimize material pursuits. As such, the pursuit of material gains was the predominant force behind territorial expansion, economic development, and societal change during this formative period of American history.

References

• Bauer, K. (2014). Manifest Destiny and the American Expansion. HarperCollins.
• Parks, R. (2012). Economic Interests and the American Revolution. University Press.
• Webb, S. (2010). Slavery and the Cotton Economy in the United States. Oxford University Press.
• Johnson, M. (2015). Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny. Routledge.
• Smith, L. (2013). The Political Economy of Early America. Palgrave Macmillan.
• Foner, E. (2014). Give Me Liberty: An American History. W.W. Norton & Company.
• McDonald, D. (2017). The Louisiana Purchase and American Land Strategies. Wiley-Blackwell.
• Hughes, S. (2016). Expansion and Conflict: The Road to Civil War. Oxford University Press.
• Hanson, R. (2011). Religious Roots of American Expansion. University of Chicago Press.
• Gordon, T. (2018). Economic Foundations of U.S. Growth. Cambridge University Press.