Empire of Commerce: The Closing of the Mississippi and the Opening of Atlantic Trade

A groundbreaking study places the Mississippi River valley at the center of the early American republics political economy. Spain controlled the Mississippi River, closing it to American trade in 1784, and western men like Andrew Jackson had to navigate the overlapping economic and political forces with ruthless pragmatism. Susan Gaunt Stearns' book "Empire of Commerce" demonstrates how the transatlantic cotton trade set the stage for transforming an imagined west into something real.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 26 April 2024
Publisher: University of Virginia Press

A groundbreaking study that places the Mississippi River valley at the center of the early American republics political economy emerged shortly after the ratification of the US Constitution in 1789. At the age of twenty-two, Andrew Jackson, a young and ambitious man, pledged his allegiance to the king of Spain. Prior to the Louisiana Purchase, the imperial control of the North American continent remained a subject of debate. Spain had established dominance over the Mississippi River, restricting American trade in 1784. As a westerner seeking opportunities, Jackson had to navigate the intricate economic and political forces at play with a ruthless pragmatism.

In her book, Empire of Commerce, Susan Gaunt Stearns transports readers back to a time when the United States westward expansion was far from inevitable. Through her meticulous research, Stearns demonstrates the crucial role that trade played on and along the Mississippi River in the formation of the complex political and economic structures that shaped the nascent American republic. By shifting our perspective, Stearnss book reconfigures our understanding of pivotal postrevolutionary moments such as the writing of the Constitution, the Whiskey Rebellion, and the Louisiana Purchase. It reveals how the transatlantic cotton trade ultimately paved the way for the realization of an imagined west into a tangible reality.

The Mississippi River, with its vast network of tributaries and navigable waters, played a pivotal role in the development of the early American economy. The river facilitated the transportation of goods, including cotton, which became a dominant crop in the southern states. The trade along the Mississippi River not only boosted economic growth but also fostered political connections and alliances. The river's strategic location between the North and South made it a valuable asset for both the United States and Spain, leading to intense competition and conflict.

Spain's control over the Mississippi River posed a significant challenge to American trade and expansion. In 1784, the Spanish government closed the river to American trade, effectively cutting off the United States from its largest trading partner. This decision led to the outbreak of the Whiskey Rebellion, a protest against the federal government's taxation of whiskey produced in the western states. The rebellion, which lasted for several years, highlighted the tensions between the central government and the western territories and demonstrated the need for a more decentralized and representative government.

Despite Spain's restrictions, Andrew Jackson and other westerners continued to pursue opportunities in the region. They developed new trade routes, such as the Ohio River and the Cumberland River, to bypass the Mississippi River and access the markets of the East. Jackson's successful military campaigns against the Spanish in Florida and Louisiana further expanded American territory and weakened Spanish control in the region.

The Louisiana Purchase, which occurred in 1803, was a significant turning point in American history. It marked the United States' acquisition of nearly 828,000 square miles of land from France, including the Mississippi River valley. The purchase not only doubled the size of the United States but also facilitated the development of new industries and the expansion of American agriculture. The acquisition of the Louisiana Territory also brought new challenges, such as the displacement of Native American tribes and the settlement of European immigrants.

In conclusion, the study of the Mississippi River valley's role in the early American republics political economy is a fascinating and complex topic. Through the lens of trade and expansion, Empire of Commerce by Susan Gaunt Stearns provides a fresh perspective on the development of the nascent American republic. The book demonstrates the centrality of trade on and along the Mississippi River to the complex development of the political and economic structures that shaped the nation. By reconfiguring our understanding of key postrevolutionary moments, Stearnss book sheds light on the ways in which the transatlantic cotton trade ultimately set the stage for the realization of an imagined west into a tangible reality.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813951232