In 1824, the Marquis de Lafayette revisited the United States, exploring all 24 states and celebrating the nation’s expansion. The authors use his travels to highlight significant advancements in transport, like steamboats and the Erie Canal, demonstrating notable changes in both society and infrastructure.

Despite the celebratory nature of his visit, Lafayette’s observations on enslavement, the authors argue, underscored another contradiction in American liberty, as the institution persisted alongside free settlement in expanding territories.

A New Economy

The authors explain how the early 19th century witnessed the “market revolution,” driven by innovations like steamboats and the Erie Canal, which transformed American economics by enhancing connectivity and reducing transport costs. The Erie Canal, completed in 1825, particularly revolutionized commerce and urban growth, establishing New York City as a preeminent commercial hub. This period marked a shift from localized, artisanal production to a broader market-oriented economy, laying the foundation for the United States as a major economic power.

The Rise of the West

Between 1790 and 1840, massive westward migration reshaped the US into a regionally diverse nation. This expansion was driven by settlers moving into territories controlled by foreign powers or Indigenous groups, anticipating eventual US governance, as seen in the acquisition of Florida through the Adams-Onís Treaty.