Introduction:
We are at the end of the 18th century. It was a historic century for the country. It saw revolution and independence. It saw the nation struggling and expanding its lands and its reach. There was no significant real estate development yet at that period except for the establishment of the capital, Washington D.C. Still, it was those few years after the revolution that were crucial for laying the future of the real estate industry of the country. For this Realty Time Capsule, we will look at the crucial events that happened at the end of the 18th century in the United States.
Three Key Points
1. The Indiana Territory Was Created: President John Adams signed the act that created the Territory of Indiana on May 7, 1800. This new territory was carved out from the existing Northwest Territory. Initially, there were not that many new settlers that came but as the years passed, people were encouraged to go there.
William Henry Harrison, who would go on to become the president of the United States, became the first governor of the territory. One of the most significant actions made by Harrison was to negotiate with Native American tribes to cede some of their lands which added more areas that are open for settlers.
2. The Second United States Census: The second census of the United States was conducted by the federal government on August 4, 1800. The census showed that the country has a population of 5,308,483. Of that 893,602 were slaves or almost 20 percent of the population.
At the time of the census, New York was the largest city in the country with a population of over 60,000. Philadelphia was the next biggest city with a population of more than 40,000. This highlights the fact that most of the population of the country was still living in rural areas and not in urban centers.
3. Third Treaty of San Ildefonso: The Third Treaty of San Ildefonso was a secret treaty between Spain and France in which Spain agreed that it would give Louisiana back to the French. In exchange, Spain will be getting territories in Tuscany.
There were several reasons why Spain wanted to get rid of the Louisiana territory. It was proving to be more problematic than profitable. It was also being drawn into conflict with the United States, particularly with the navigation rights along the Mississippi. At the time, Spain could not afford to come into conflict with the United States since it was dependent on the latter for its shipping to avoid the British blockade.
On the other hand, France wanted to win back colonies because of the potential profits. Sugar-producing colonies like Haiti in the past contributed a great deal to the French economy and their loss had an enormous impact. When Napoleon took power, one of his policies was to increase French presence overseas and one of the ways to achieve that was to have a presence in North America.
Headline Real Estate News Stories in 1800
There were a lot of headline-worthy events that took place in 1800. One of the most fascinating was the census of 1800, which was the second one for the United States. The results of that census would show how much the country has grown in just a few years.
The Treaty of Mortefontaine was also another important news event. This was the agreement between France and the United States that ended the Quasi-War. Although the United States did not declare war officially, it still had a massive impact on the economy.
What Historic Real Estate Events Shaped 1800?
The decision to pick Washington D.C. as the capital of the United States was a historic real estate decision that shaped 1800 with certainty. John Adams became the first president to occupy what would become the White House in November of that year. In the same month, Congress held its first session in the capital.
Economic Factors, Supply, and Demand
The Quasi-War affected the country’s economy, and the conclusion was welcome. The Treaty of Mortefontaine also established the principle of ‘free trade, free goods’ between the two countries, which meant that trade could flow freely. The agreement was also instrumental in making the Louisiana Purchase happen a few years later.
Government Policies and Interventions
The act that formed the Indiana Territory was the most noteworthy government policy during the year concerning real estate. The Treaty of Mortefontaine was another important act of government policy during 1800.
Demographic Factors
The second census of the United States showed that the population has grown to 5,308,483. That was an increase of more than 1,300,000 since the last census. The ethnic demographics counted for that census were free white females and males, other free persons, and slaves.
The next census would take place ten years later in 1810.
Societal Preferences and Trends
Based on the 1800 census, Americans still preferred living outside the large cities of which, there were only a few. Out of the cities listed in the census, only six had populations that were over 10,000. People still chose to live on farms where they could make a living by being self-dependent.
Technological Innovations
Although not invented in the United States, the first electrochemical battery was created by Italian Alessandro Volta. However, Benjamin Franklin used the term battery in the sense that we now use it when he conducted experiments decades earlier.
The battery that Volta made was valuable for experiments but had little practical use.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Little has changed when it comes to transportation in the United States. Although the population was growing, there was no extensive road network connecting the various cities. Travel by horse was still the main means of transportation.
1800 concluded an amazing year for the United States. It saw its birth as a nation and its struggle to gain footing on the world stage. For the next Time Capsule, we will look at the year that heralded the beginning of the 19th century.
For a deeper understanding and look into these topics check out these titles:
America in the 18th Century
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Events That Changed America in the Eighteenth Century: Annotated Edition by John E. Findling and Frank W. Thackeray
The Indiana Territory
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The Indiana Territory, 1800-2000: A Bicentennial Perspective by Darrel E. Bigham
