Summary
Franklin Pierce's 1854 Annual Message to Congress argues that the United States' rapid growth and prosperity stemmed directly from the federal government's liberal policy of distributing vast tracts of unoccupied lands to native citizens and immigrants. This policy, which encouraged rapid settlement and absorption of land, is presented as the primary cause of the nation's "marvelous progress" and the foundation of its commonwealth. The message contrasts this American success with the "crushing oppression of the rural population" that characterized Europe's Dark Ages, asserting that lifting burdens on the agricultural class marks the beginning of civil liberty.
The address also outlines the government's evolving role in agriculture as the era of cheap, abundant land came to a close. It highlights federal support for agricultural colleges and experiment stations, modeled on European technical institutions, to promote scientific farming. A reader learns that the government's shift from land distribution to funding agricultural science was a deliberate response to the end of the settlement era, aiming to maintain productivity through fertilizers, drainage, and improved breeds.
Key concepts
- Absorption of lands — The federal policy of distributing unoccupied lands to citizens and immigrants, which Pierce credits as the primary driver of U.S. progress and settlement.
- Crushing oppression of the rural population — Pierce's characterization of the Dark Ages in Europe, where agricultural classes were burdened, contrasting with American liberty.
- Agricultural experiment stations — Government-funded institutions modeled on European technical schools, designed for scientific investigation into all branches of agriculture.
- New rural economy — The post-settlement approach to farming focused on maximum productiveness through fertilizers, soil study, and scientific methods like drainage and irrigation.
- Relationship of agriculture to population expansion — The economic question of how agricultural systems support dense populations, illustrated by ancient Nile and Euphrates civilizations and contemporary Japan.
From the book
For works with similar titles, see Aar . ← Aalborg Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 Aar Aarau → Edition of 1921; disclaimer . 421829 Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 — Aar AAR (är), the most considerable river in Switzerland, after the Rhine and Rhone. It forms at Handeck, in the valley of Hasli, a magnificent waterfall of above 150 feet in height, and empties into the Rhine, opposite Waldshut, after a course of about 170 miles.For works with similar titles, see Aarau . ← Aar Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 Aarau Aard-vark → Edition of 1921; disclaimer . 421830 Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 — Aarau AARAU (ä′rou), a town in Switzerland, capital of the canton of Aargau, on the right bank of the Aar. Has manufactures of scientific instruments, silk, cotton,…
For works with similar titles, see Aargau . ← Aard-wolf Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 Aargau Aarhuus (district) → Edition of 1921; disclaimer . 421834 Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 — Aargau AARGAU (är′gou), or ARGOVIA , one of the cantons of Switzerland, bounded on the N. by the river Rhine, on the E. by Zurich and Zug, on the S. by Lucerne and Berne, and on the W. by Soleure and Basel. Area, 542 square miles of well cultivated soil and extensive vineyards. This is one of the cantons most distinguished for industry and generally diffused prosperity. Pop. about 250,000.← Aarhuus (district) Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 Aarhuus (city) Aaron → Edition of 1921; disclaimer . 654815 Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 — Aarhuus (city) AARHUUS , a city, the capital…
It embraces the most eastern part of the peninsula of Jutland, and is divided into two bailiwicks, Aarhuus and Randers. Area, 1,821 square miles. Pop. about 225,000, chiefly occupied in the fisheries.For works with similar titles, see Aaron . ← Aarhuus (city) Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 Aaron Ab → Edition of 1921; disclaimer . 421837 Collier's New Encyclopedia , Volume 1 — Aaron AARON , son of Amram (tribe of Levi), elder brother of Moses, and divinely appointed to be his spokesman in the embassy to the court of Pharaoh. By the same authority, avouched in the budding of his rod, he was chosen the first high-priest. He was recreant to his trust in the absence of Moses upon the Mount, and made the golden calf for the people to worship. He died on Mount Hor in the 123d year of…
Popular questions readers ask
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