American Expansion through Mississippi River
The Mississippi River holds symbolic implications to American history and its control was essential to American Expansion.The Mississippi River has a pivotal role in the history of the United States and shaped the country’s identity. The river provided passage, water, and food to settlers and the Native Americans who lived on its banks.The river connected traders and settlers, allowing them to move goods and materials, and took them to the existing port cities, where steamboats and railways picked up the goods bound for the East Coast.
The importance of the Mississippi River is widely accepted within the academic and geographical fields.Its control runs from Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, a length of 2,350 miles, providing the country with the means of transportation, resources, and energy.
Control of the Mississippi was extremely significant for the economic, political and social development of the United States.The Navigation Acts of 1663 and 1764, which regulated foreign trade within the country, made the Mississippi mandatory for American traders.The American Revolution secured American independence, however, when the British navy captured the river, it drastically affected the American economy.
Cotton was the main driving force in the development of the United States.While the south relied heavily on slave labor to produce cotton, steamboat trade connected the cotton growers with the Northern mills where the cotton was processed. This connected the southern economy with the larger American market. By controlling the Mississippi, American farmers were able to refine their products and increase profits, while simultaneously maintaining quality control.
The Civil War between the North and the South pushed the Lincoln administration to gain control of the Mississippi. The Union army under General Ulysses S. Grant successfully captured the river, thus cutting off the Confederate troops from the West. This decision allowed the Union to maintain control of the Mississippi River, securing the Union’s control of the West.
The importance of the river continued in the 20th century when the United States federal government began to take an active role in managing the rivers flow. In the 1930s, the Army Corps of Engineers created the Tennessee Valley Authority to control flooding in the Upper Mississippi. Later, the Flood Control Act of 1936 enabled the government to better manage the river and led to the construction of levees, dams, and other flood control facilities to ensure that the Mississippi stayed within its banks.
The Mississippi is now managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).The USACE is responsible for navigation, providing hydropower, and creating and maintaining flood control systems.These efforts have increased the safety and security of the river and its surrounding environment.The USACE also works with state governments to ensure that the river is managed responsibly and sustainably.
Influence upon Native Americans
In the 17th century, French explorers and traders were the first Europeans to explore the Mississippi. They were interested in the potential to establish a fur trade with the Native Americans along its banks.In the 19th century, the native populations of the northern states, including the Sioux and the Ojibwe, were two of the most powerful tribes in the region.The river provided access to valuable resources, and the control of the Mississippi allowed Native Americans to control trade and resources in the river basin.
Given the disruption of Native American way of life caused by the international trade along the Mississippi, the Native Americans had to adapt.They developed new methods of bargaining with the traders in order to obtain food, clothing, and supplies.In the 17th century, many tribes had to rely on European goods in order to survive. The traders also brought alcohol and firearms to create an even greater dependency on European goods.The Native Americans had to make major adjustments to their lifestyle in order to survive, and the control of the Mississippi further limited their ability to do so.
The 1860s was a period of rapid expansion in the United States and despite a treaty between the US and the Sioux in 1851, the conflict between Native Americans and the US continued.As the settlement of the West progressed, the Native Americans of the Upper Midwest were forced to Treaties of cession and relocation.The Sioux nation were relocated to the reservation in South Dakota in 1868, in what is known as the “Dakota War” or “Sioux War.”The American victory in this conflict clearly demonstrates the importance of the Mississippi River to the US government.
The push for American expansion and the eventual control of the Mississippi had a deep and lasting impact on Native Americans. Despite initiatives to protect tribal rights, the US government utilized its control of the river to take advantage. Native Americans had to adapt to new economic opportunities and make compromises to survive, leading to increased dependency on the US government and limited autonomy.
Environmental Impact
Over time, the Mississippi has changed from a wild, free-flowing river to one that is tightly controlled by the US government.Although the control of the river has been beneficial for navigation and industry, it has also had serious environmental impacts.The dams, levees, and other flood control measures have disrupted the flow of the river and caused major issues with water quality and wildlife habitats.The Mississippi has also become a dumping ground for industrial waste and agricultural runoff.
The Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that the Mississippi River has more than 20,000 industrial sites and more than one hundred point sources of pollution.This has caused a dramatic decrease in water quality and the presence of hazardous substances in the water.The Mississippi is also one of the most invasive species-infested rivers in the United States, and the impact of these species on resident wildlife species is ongoing.
The US government has taken steps to address the environmental impacts of the Mississippi, including the establishment of the Clean Water Act of 1972 and the creation of the Mississippi River Basin Commission in 1981.These initiatives have improved water quality and addressed some of the pollution problems.However, the massive scale of the Mississippi, its long history of human exploitation, and its large population of users makes it difficult to sustain healthy changes in its environment.
Organizations such as the Mississippi River Network (MRN) are now working to protect the river and its ecosystem.MRN is focused on promoting responsible land and water management practices that protect water quality, restore and enhance floodplain habitats, and prevent the introduction and spread of harmful invasive species.
Conclusion
Control of the Mississippi has been essential to American Expansion, with the river providing passage, resources, and energy. Despite the positive impacts of controlling the river, it has also caused significant damage to the environment and Native American populations. The USACE and organizations such as the Mississippi River Network are now working together to ensure that the river is managed responsibly and its environment is preserved for the generations to come.
