Expansion

Chapter 1: The Energies of Conquest

European Settlers applied "Energies of conquest".
Believed in the Biblical injunction to be fruitful and multiply.
Led to expansionism.
Contrasted with the Native Americans who for the most part were farmers.
They commanded less energy than Europeans and were therefore less harsh on the environment.

A Difference of Viewing The Land

The Introduction of Firearms

Europeans introduced weapons of metal material to Native Americans in the 17^th Century.
The use of firearms soon changed their traditions and joined them to a market economy.
No longer hunting for subsistence. Native Americans became part of the European economy.

The Development of Cities

Freight (goods) were moved by sail. Consequently, settlements developed along the coasts and rivers.
Cities were small by today's standards. In 1743 Boston had 16,300 residents.
Soon, the thriving new economy and the new political structure depended on the ship trade.

Taking Over the Land

Firearms did not give Europeans a decisive advantage over native peoples.
More importantly though, the introduction of technologies that changed streams and rivers and transformed forests into farmlands.
The Native Americans saw a reciprocal relationship between themselves and the land.
The colonists however "integrated the natural world into the money economy."
Example: Bringing wood from the forests to the market.
Native Americans used wood for heating extensively because of poor insulation, but they did not exceed regrowth of the forests.
Europeans however continued the process of deforesting the New World like they had in England and France.
In the first 200 years after the colonists arrived, North America lost more woodland than Europe had lost in 1000 years.

The Introduction of the Watermill and the Term Horsepower

The introduction of the watermill increased exponentially the growth of agriculture.
The typical mill in 1800 developed 15 to 20 horsepower. In comparative terms, a strong man can produce one-tenth of what a horse can.
Inventor James Watt defined the term "horsepower" with Clydesdales in mind.
During a typical day, a small 4 horsepower mill could perform the work of 100 men.

The Development of A Market Economy

By the early 19^th Century a variety of consumer goods were being sold.
By 1810 the value of production was estimated at $172 million.
America's economic progression depended on the improved use of human muscle power and the advancement of tools.
With the advancement of tools, farmers became increasingly involved with the market economy.
Farmers began using the phrases "work for money rather than work for work's own sake" and "time is money."
However, muscle power produced food for the market but few possessions. Poor farmers often times did not have the money necessary to buy a cow or a horse.
Nye argues that a free market developed slowly because it was based on cheap energy.

Living Rural In America

The majority of Americans remained rural.
A rural existence forced people to become a "jack of all trades." Plumbing, electrical, grafting, gardening, etc.
When a large project needed completion, machines were not available, so a reliance on neighbors developed. A log cabin could be built in 3 days.

Energies of Conquest

The new energies of conquest isolated the Native Americans.
The energies stored up for centuries in the soil and forests had been released into the economy.
Raw materials were now being transformed into planks, nails, wire, flour, paper, etc.
A specialization of labor developed.
By the 1820's a new energy system was developing. The Water Mill

Chapter 2