Realtor Income Exploration: Crowdsourced Funding for Agent Fees

Introduction:

This Realty Time Capsule marks a departure from the usual articles we had in the past few months. This time we will be tackling an entire decade instead of a single year. For this Time Capsule, we will be taking a closer look at the events that transpired from 1810 to 1819. 

Three Key Points  

1. Census of 1810: On August 10, 1810, the third census in the United States was conducted. There are some notable things about the census such as it would be the last census in which the state of Virginia would be the most populous in the country. 

According to the census, 7,239,881 individuals lived in the United States at the time. More than 1,190,000 of them were slaves. It is worth noting that the census only counted whites and slaves. This means that Native Americans were not included at all. It would be decades before the Native American population would be included in the census and even then, those living outside of reservations were not included at all. This is understandable since many Native American tribes at the time were hostile to Americans whom they saw as encroaching on their lands. 

The census methodology back then was not very accurate. For starters, there were no pre-printed forms that the census-takers could use so they came up with their own. Sometimes they also failed to tally their data which added to the time needed to add up all the information.  This does not mean that the census was inaccurate.  

The census showed a significant increase in the country’s population from the previous and indicated a trend in the young nation’s changing population centers. 

2. War of 1812: For the decade spanning 1810 to 1819, the event, or rather, the series of events that had the most effect on the country was the War of 1812. The war was fought between the United States and Great Britain. Both sides had Native American allies and Spain also took part although in a very limited way. 

Tensions between the two countries have been rising since the United States gained its independence from its former colonial master. Great Britain was wary of the speed by which the United States was expanding its territory. Other issues that influenced the start of the conflict were the attempts of Great Britain to limit the trading of the United States with France and the practice of the Royal Navy to press-gang American sailors to serve in their ships. 

There were several major battles during the conflict for which neither side was prepared. It even resulted in the capture of Washington D.C. and the burning of the White House and the Capitol. The last battle of the war, the Battle of New Orleans was fought after the treaty ending the fighting was signed simply because it took time for the news of the treaty to get to the American continent. 

The war was very crucial for the United States because it could have resulted in the loss of territory had Great Britain triumphed. 

3. New States and Territories: During the decade covering 1810-1819, there were several new states were admitted into the union and one new territory was created. To observers back then, it must have been obvious that the country was hungry for expansion and that it would not be stopping any time soon. Viewed in that light, one can hardly blame the British if they were worried about American ambitions in North America. 

On April 30, 1812, Louisiana became the 18th state of the United States. To avoid confusion, the territory which was already known as Louisiana was renamed Missouri. It was the first state created out of the lands bought through the Louisiana Purchase. Other states were also accepted into the union within the decade. Indiana was accepted as the 19th state in 1816. Mississippi followed it in the next year.   

In 1818, the United States accepted Illinois as the 21st state within the union with Kaskaskia serving as the first state capital. The following year, Alabama was accepted as the 22nd state in 1819. In the same year, Spain ceded Florida in exchange for resolving the border dispute with the United States. 

Aside from the ceded territory and the new states that were added to the United States, there was also the new territory of Arkansas that was added to the union. 1819 was also the year that the Treaty of Tuscaloosa was signed and ratified. The treaty was between the United States government and the Chickasaw Indians. The treaty would directly result in the Jackson Purchase. 

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Headline Real Estate News Stories In 1810-1819 

The biggest headliner for the decade that covered 1810-1819 was the War of 1812. This conflict between the United States and Great Britain had a massive impact on the economy of the country, which meant that it affected the real estate market. 

It was also during this period that the Mexican War for Independence began. It was not a single war but rather a series of wars and uprisings that occurred in the Spanish possession. The creation of the new states and territories was also a major headline for the country. 

What Historic Real Estate Events Shaped 1810-1819?  

The War of 1812 was a direct result of the relationship between the United States and Great Britain after the Revolutionary War. There were a lot of ill feelings between the two nations after the fighting and the former colonial master was not ready to treat the new nation as an equal. 

 Great Britain was also threatened by the expansion of the United States into the rest of North America. But the most immediate reason for the declaration of war by the United States was the impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy. The economic sanctions by the United States were not enough to stop Britain from the practice. 

Economic Factors, Supply, and Demand  

There was a movement in the United States which called for the protection of the economy from outside interference. This resulted in the Tariff of 1816 being implemented. The aim of the tariff was to protect American manufacturing from competition from other countries.  

American manufacturing received a boost during the Napoleonic Wars in Europe when access to the European market was restricted and so it became more competitive.  

Government Policies and Interventions

There were a lot of government policies that were implemented from 1810 to 1819 that affected the real estate market of the United States not just back then but until today. One of the local interventions that had a profound effect was the Commissioners’ Plan of 1811.

The Commissioners’ Plan of 1811 radically transformed the real estate landscape of New York City. This visionary urban plan, devised by John Randel Jr. and Gouverneur Morris, established the iconic gridiron street layout that defines Manhattan today. By dividing the island into uniform rectangular blocks and streets, the plan standardized property boundaries and facilitated the systematic development of land.  

This grid pattern encouraged orderly growth, simplified property transactions, and spurred real estate speculation, leading to the rapid expansion of the city and the establishment of vibrant neighborhoods. The Commissioners’ Plan of 1811 fundamentally shaped the trajectory of New York’s real estate market, laying the foundation for its status as a global metropolis. 

The Treaty of St. Louis, signed in 1816 between the United States and various Native American tribes, profoundly influenced the real estate landscape of the American Midwest. By ceding vast territories to the U.S. government, including parts of present-day Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, the treaty opened immense tracts of land for settlement and development.  

This influx of available land sparked a surge in real estate speculation, driving land prices upwards and attracting settlers seeking new opportunities. The Treaty of St. Louis thus played a pivotal role in shaping the expansion of the American frontier and the growth of real estate markets in the Midwest. 

Demographic Factors

The 1810 Census provided crucial insights into the demographic composition of the United States during a pivotal period of growth and expansion. With a total population of over 7 million, the census revealed a nation experiencing rapid demographic changes driven by immigration, westward migration, and natural increase. The data highlighted the continued dominance of agriculture as the primary occupation, with most of the population in rural areas.

Also, it showcased the significant presence of enslaved individuals, particularly in the southern states, shaping the economy and social structure of the nation. The census of 1810 thus captured a snapshot of a dynamic and evolving American society.

Societal Preferences and Trends

From 1810 to 1819 rapid westward expansion fueled by land speculation and the Louisiana Purchase reshaped settlement patterns, leading to the establishment of new towns and territories. Industrialization gained momentum, particularly in textiles and manufacturing, laying the groundwork for future economic growth.

Social reform movements, such as abolitionism and women’s rights, began to gain traction, challenging entrenched norms and laying the groundwork for future societal transformations. Additionally, cultural expressions flourished through literature, art, and music, reflecting the spirit of optimism and experimentation characteristic of the era.

Technological Innovations

In October 1811, John Stevens’ ship the Juliana began operation as the first steam-powered ferry, serving New York City, and Hoboken, New Jersey.

The 1811–1812 voyage of the New Orleans from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to New Orleans, Louisiana, on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers ushered in the era of commercial steamboat navigation on the western and mid-western continental rivers of the United States. Technological advances made in the transport sector were very crucial during the early years of the United States.

Other fields too experienced a surge in development during this period. For example, the city of Baltimore became the first city to utilize gas lighting.

Environmental Factors

From 1810 to 1819, expansion into the western frontier led to increased settlement, impacting land use and availability. Agricultural practices shaped by climate and soil fertility determined regional demographics, with fertile lands in the Midwest attracting settlers while arid regions posed challenges to population growth.

The War of 1812 disrupted trade and migration patterns, affecting population movements and distribution. Disease outbreaks, such as yellow fever and malaria, influenced settlement patterns, particularly in southern regions. These environmental factors, along with economic opportunities and social dynamics, collectively shaped the demographic landscape of the United States during this period.

Cultural Factors

From 1810 to 1819, cultural factors played a significant role in shaping the demographic landscape of the United States, including the migration of Amish communities. The Second Great Awakening spurred religious fervor, prompting individuals to seek new territories for religious freedom and community.

This religious migration, including that of the Amish, led to the establishment of settlements in regions such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, contributing to the population growth of these areas. The Amish, known for their distinctive way of life, influenced the cultural diversity of rural communities, preserving traditional values and practices amidst the broader societal changes of the era.

Transportation and Infrastructure

There were some significant developments in terms of transportation and infrastructure from 1810 to 1819. For example, the construction of the Erie Canal began in 1817. This would be a major boost in transportation for New York until railroads took over. It was also during this period that New Jersey granted the first American railroad charter to John Stevens.

Closing This Capsule

Those are the significant events that defined the years from 1810 to 1819. Those events had a profound impact on the real estate industry in the United States. For our next Time Capsule, we will be looking at the period from 1820 to 1829.

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For a deeper understanding and look into these topics check out these titles:

The War of 1812:

 The State of Louisiana: