http://tspwiki.com/index.php?title=1810
Here are some one liners...
Thomas Jefferson's Pacific Empire of Astoria -- Jefferson has wanted an American colony on the Pacific coast and he thinks John Astor is the man to make it happen and he will, for a while.
The May Revolution and the Fight for Independence -- With Napoleon's brother on the Spanish throne, Argentina takes a chance at revolt and so does Mexico.
In Other News -- The results of the US census, public billiard rooms and the introduction of homeopathy.
Thomas Jefferson's Pacific Empire of Astoria
John Jacob Astor is the son of a butcher, but when he immigrates to the United States after the American Revolution, he takes up fur-trading. In the following years he amasses a fortune buying raw hides from Indians and selling the processed fur to England, but when the Embargo Act cuts into his profits, he works with President Jefferson to establish the 1st American colony on the Pacific coast to take advantage of the fur trading opportunities there. It is a two-pronged effort, by land and by sea, to establish Fort Astoria in modern day Oregon. By next year, Captain Thorn will land his ship near the mouth of the Columbia River and begin construction of a trading post. The overland expedition has pre-positioned its British-made equipment in Canada in order to circumvent the American embargo (with permission from American lawmakers). The overland expedition will reach Fort Astoria by 1812. John Astor's Pacific Fur Company will begin operations, but the Indians of the Pacific Northwest will prove to be shrewd bargainers. Astoria will not be as profitable as first hoped and with the War of 1812 begun, the company officers will sell their shares to a competing British fur company and return to the United States in 1813. [1] [2] [3]
My Take by Alex Shrugged
Please note the very close relationship between government and business back then. Jefferson was excited by this expedition. He was known to have maps spread out on the White House floor and he could be seen crawling around on his hands and knees inspecting them. Also note that the Pacific Fur Company's ship was manned mostly by British subjects. War with Great Britain was imminent so hiring a British crew shielded them from attack. In fact, the entire expedition was an American effort, funded by a German immigrant and manned by British subjects, French-Canadians and a few Hawaiians. (I know. Hawaii looks like it is out of the way, but the prevailing winds made it a good resupply point for sailing ships.) John Astor was also negotiating a trade deal with a British fur company in the region. That kept business relations friendly... while attempting to stab each other in the back... as normal business practice demanded. [4]
Please note the very close relationship between government and business back then. Jefferson was excited by this expedition. He was known to have maps spread out on the White House floor and he could be seen crawling around on his hands and knees inspecting them. Also note that the Pacific Fur Company's ship was manned mostly by British subjects. War with Great Britain was imminent so hiring a British crew shielded them from attack. In fact, the entire expedition was an American effort, funded by a German immigrant and manned by British subjects, French-Canadians and a few Hawaiians. (I know. Hawaii looks like it is out of the way, but the prevailing winds made it a good resupply point for sailing ships.) John Astor was also negotiating a trade deal with a British fur company in the region. That kept business relations friendly... while attempting to stab each other in the back... as normal business practice demanded. [4]
The May Revolution and the Fight for Independence
After the successful American Revolution and the shaky French Revolution, people around the world have longed for independence. Buenos Aires is the capital of a large Spanish viceroyalty called the Rio de la Plata that was formed in 1776 out of several smaller Spanish holdings. It encompasses modern day Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. They didn't like domination under the King of Spain and they like domination under Napoleon even less. English warships have attacked Buenos Aires several times and during one such invasion the leadership runs away from the battle and moves the government treasury with it. Even though this was exactly the planned response, it looks bad so a new leader is selected. From here it gets complicated but a series of military governors will be thrown off and an attempt at a representative democracy will result in the break up of the region. Paraguay will declare its independence. By 1814, the last vestiges of a viceroyalty will collapse and Argentina will become an independent state, but the modern Argentina will not be organized until 1861. [5] [6]
My Take by Alex Shrugged
While Argentina and Paraguay were throwing off their chains, Mexico was working on independence as well. A priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, led a revolt against the Spanish junta. By the next year, the priest was captured, put up against the wall and shot, but the revolt itself continued through a succession of leaders and a lot of shooting. By 1820, the ruling elite was looking for a compromise with the rebels and by September 27, 1821 Mexico won its independence. Cinco de Mayo, or the May 5th celebration is NOT Mexican Independence day. It commemorates a victory over French forces on May 5, 1862, and in the United States it has become a great excuse for a party. The modern Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th. [7] [8] [9]
While Argentina and Paraguay were throwing off their chains, Mexico was working on independence as well. A priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, led a revolt against the Spanish junta. By the next year, the priest was captured, put up against the wall and shot, but the revolt itself continued through a succession of leaders and a lot of shooting. By 1820, the ruling elite was looking for a compromise with the rebels and by September 27, 1821 Mexico won its independence. Cinco de Mayo, or the May 5th celebration is NOT Mexican Independence day. It commemorates a victory over French forces on May 5, 1862, and in the United States it has become a great excuse for a party. The modern Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on September 16th. [7] [8] [9]
In Other News
- The United States population is 7,239,881. This is an increase of almost 2 million from the 1800 census. [10]
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