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Maps of An Emerging Nation: The United States of America 1775-1987
Map Number: 101415 To order USGS maps or other products, contact: Your authorized USGS Business Partner. A listing of these is available on: http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov/acis-bin/querypartner.cgi or email: ask@usgs.gov or visit: http://ask.usgs.gov or call 1-888-ASK-USGS or write: US Geological Survey, Map Distribution, Denver Federal Center, Box 25286, Denver, Colorado 80225-0286 USA Or access the order form: http://mac.usgs.gov/mac/isb/pubs/forms/usgsbooks.html
This is a double-sided map showing: (1) The first map of the new United States produced by an American, Abel Buell, in 1783; and (2) Maps showing the territorial growth of the United States from 1775 to 1987. Click on any image for a larger image of that section of the map. Using the Map to Teach About Lewis and Clark National Content Standards Addressed The World in Spatial Terms
Places and Regions
Human Systems
Environment and Society
The Uses of Geography Knowing geography enables people to understand the relationships between people, places, and environments over time. The geographically informed person knows and understands:
Culture 1. Chronological
Thinking US History Era 3 - Revolution and the New Nation US History Era 4 - Expansion and Reform The images on this page represent only a portion of the Emerging Nation map. Extend your use of this map by using additional parts of the map that are not shown here. For example, ask questions about 1830, 1840, and other years. In addition, use this map in conjunction with other USGS resources shown to the left of this page and other resources at www.usgs.gov. Suggested Further Reading Ristow, Walter W., American Maps and Mapmakers: Commercial Cartography in the Nineteenth Century. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1985. Schwartz, Seymour I and Ehrenberg, Ralph E. The Mapping of America. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc. 1980. Thompson, Morris M. (US Geological Survey). Maps for America, 2nd Edition. Washington DC: US Government Printing Office, 1981. Van Zandt, Franklin K. (US Geological Survey). Boundaries of the United States and the Several States. Washington DC: US Government Printing Office, 1976. Prior to the Revolutionary War, most maps of the American colonies were published in England. Following the conclusion of hostilities, recognition of the United States as an independent Nation stimulated demands for new and up-to-date maps. In 1784, Abel Buell, a Connecticut gold- and silversmith, engraver, and jeweler (and convicted counterfeiter) published the first map of the new United States produced by an American: "A New and correct Map of the United States of North America Layd down from the latest Observations and best Authorities agreeable to the Peace of 1783." Like most of his fellow contemporary cartographers, Buell borrowed heavily from existing maps to compile his large (43 x 48 inch) wall map, which shows the United States immediately prior to the writing and ratification of the Constitution. The original image was engraved on copper plates and was printed in four sections. All coloring on the map was applied by hand using water colors. The copy of the second edition of the Buell map which is reproduced as this USGS map is from the collection of the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark. It was photographed by the National Geographic Society and is used here courtesy of that organization. Only a handful of copies of Buell's map survive--perhaps because its intended use as a wall map exposed it to dirt and light, and because it would have been replaced when it became outdated. Using the Map to Teach About Lewis and Clark Sample questions for students are listed below along with images of accompanying sections of the map.
(1) The above image from the title of the map shows the "title block" of the map--the author, date, title, and purpose of the map. Click to enlarge. When was this map produced? For whom was this map produced? Why was this map produced? How long after the United States had become a country was the map produced? How long after the Revolutionary War ended was the map created? Compare this title block to modern-day map title blocks from USGS and other maps. How are they alike? How are they different? The intricate title cartouche in the map is rich in symbolism. Name each symbol and describe how each symbol identifies and celebrates the new Nation. Were Lewis and Clark alive at the time when the map was made?
(2) The above image of side 1 of the map shows the boundaries of the original states. Click to enlarge. Longitude values along the north edge of the map are based on the Greenwich, England, Prime Meridian; those on the south edge are based on the meridian of Philadelphia. The practice of using one's own nation's capital or principal city as a reckoning point for longitude was common until the adoption of Greenwich as an international standard in 1884. Describe how these two longitude values differ. How many states were there in the Union when the map was produced? Was your state one of them? How many states were added between the date of this map and today? How are today's boundaries different from those of the date of the map. Why? What was the largest state in area in the original states on this map? What state was the smallest in area? Are the largest and smallest states the same as the largest and smallest today? Compare this map to a contemporary map. What are the differences in how coastlines, rivers, and other physical features drawn on the old versus the new map? In which parts of the United States are these differences most pronounced? Why? Examine the westward extent of some of the state boundaries. Where do they end? The extensive claims by the original states on western lands were boldly delineated by Buell. Many of the claims conflicted, as is evident from his depiction of the boundaries of Connecticut's claim, extending as far east as the Susquehanna River and as far west as the Mississippi River. Disagreements over the validity of the claims and the argument that the western lands should become resources of the Federal government led to the passage of a Congressional resolution in 1779, resulting in the transfer of these areas to the central government between 1781 and 1802. What other states claimed this area? Read Buell's inscription to "his Excellency the Governor and Company". To which state did Buell claim allegiance to? Do you think Lewis and Clark would have used a map like this? What would have been the primary difficulty in using this map for an expedition to the Pacific Ocean? Throughout the western lands, Buell included notes on geographical features and Indian tribes, including a description of the valley of the Illinois River: "Extensive Natural Meadows on this River, near 300 Miles in length, and from 10 to 40 miles wide where there large Herds of BUFFALO and other Beasts resort for Grass and Salt." Why were buffalo so common in that part of the country during that time? In what today is western Minnesota, Buell reports, "Unbounded Plains supposed to extend to the South Sea." What could Buell be referring to?
(3) The above image from side 1 of the map shows parts of the Great Lakes. Click to enlarge. What differences in physical features do you note between this map and a modern-day map? What state occupied the territory on most of the south side of Lake Erie at the time the map was made? Is it the same state as today? How has the boundary of Pennsylvania changed from the time of the map to today? Describe how this map's symbols, geographic extent, and scale might have helped shape the "mental maps" of the framers of the constitution as they converged on Philadelphia for the convention of 1787. How did maps such as this create a framework for the Nation's geographic growth and development, including paving the way for the Lewis and Clark expedition? Where did most of the population live in the United States at the time of the map? Where were Lewis and Clark born? Indicate how these states have changed their boundaries from their birth date to today.
(4) The above image from side 2 of the map shows the USA a bit later, in 1800. Click to enlarge. This is the last map on the sheet made before the Lewis and Clark expedition. How many stars were on the flag in 1800? How many states existed in 1800? What states were added between the time of the map you examined above, and this map? Was your state one of them? What territories were added between the time of the map you examined above, and this map? What special district was added between the time of the map you examined above, and this map? How old were Lewis and Clark in 1800? Which country owned the land west of the Mississippi River in 1800?
(5) The above image from side 2 of the map shows the USA in 1810. Click to enlarge. How has the amount of area covered on this map changed from 1800? What is the reason for the change? How many stars (states) were on the flag in 1810? How many states were added between 1800 and this map? Which ones were they? Was your state one of them? What territories were added between the time of the map you examined above, and this map? Compare the areal extent of the United States in 1810 versus 1800. What states were added while Lewis and Clark were on their expedition? How old were Lewis and Clark in 1810? Plot the Lewis and Clark route on this map. What states did they travel through? What were the names of the two pieces of land that Lewis and Clark journeyed through upon traveling northwest out of St Louis? Describe other changes from 1800 to 1810 that you notice on this map and the reason for them. What impact do you think that Lewis and Clark's expedition had on these changes?
(6) The above image from side 2 of the map shows the USA in 1820. Click to enlarge. What direction were most of the settlers moving in the United States during the 1800s? What is the reason they moved in this direction? How many stars (states) were on the flag in 1820? How many states were added between 1810 and this map? Which ones were they? Was your state one of them? What were the reasons they were settled? What territories were added between 1810 and this map? Which ones were they? What were the reasons they were settled? Were Lewis and Clark alive to see these changes? What territories visited by Lewis and Clark have been added since 1810? What was the first state carved out of the Louisiana Territory? Why do you think this was the first state created? What was the second state carved out of the Louisiana Territory? Why do you think this was the second state created? Describe other changes between 1810 and 1820 and the reasons for them. What impact do you think that Lewis and Clark's expedition had on these changes?
(7) The above image from side 2 of the map shows the USA in 1860. Click to enlarge. How many stars (states) were on the flag in 1860? How many states were added between 1820 and this map? Which ones were they? Was your state one of them? What were the reasons they were settled? What territories were added between 1820 and this map? Which ones were they? What were the reasons they were settled? Were Lewis and Clark alive to see these changes? What major event was about to happen in the United States in 1860? What territories visited by Lewis and Clark have been added since 1820? What was the first state carved out of the Oregon Territory? Why do you think this was the first state created? Describe other changes between 1820 and 1860 and the reasons for them. What impact do you think that Lewis and Clark's expedition had on these changes?
(8) The above image from side 2 of the map shows the USA in 1900. Click to enlarge. How long after the Lewis and Clark expedition is this map showing? How many stars (states) were on the flag in 1900? How many states were added between 1860 and this map? Which ones were they? Was your state one of them? What is the direction of the pattern of settlement during the 1800s? What were the reasons these states were settled? What territories were added between 1860 and this map? Which ones were they? What were the reasons they were settled? What territories visited by Lewis and Clark have been added since 1860? What was the first state carved out of the Oregon Territory? Why do you think this was the first state created? Describe other changes between 1860 and 1900 and the reasons for them. What impact do you think that Lewis and Clark's expedition had on these changes?
(9) The above image from side 2 of the map shows the USA in 1987. Click to enlarge. How long after the Lewis and Clark expedition is this map showing? How many stars (states) were on the flag in 1987? How many states were added between 1900 and this map? Which ones were they? Was your state one of them? What were the reasons they were settled? What territories were added between 1900 and this map? Which ones were they? What were the reasons they were settled? Describe other changes between 1900 and 1987 and the reasons for them. What impact do you think that Lewis and Clark's expedition had on the expansion of the United States? Why? Back To USGS Lewis and Clark Educational Resources
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U.S.
Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey Rocky Mountain Mapping Center Maintainer: webmaster@rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov URL:http://rockyweb.cr.usgs.gov /public/outreach/lewisclark/emergingnation.html Last modified: 30 October 2003 |
