What are some of your idea/thoughts on "American Diversity," in the mid-1800's?

I am noticing a lot of correlations between American History in the mid-1800's -(Jacksonian Period up to the beginning of the Civil War) - & today... I would like to write a paper on it; including, pictures, cartoons, caricatures, etc., but I'm having a difficult time finding everything that I would like to include; plus, I'm also helping a student with a huge scrapbook on many of such subjects for AP American History.

I would so APPRECIATE ANY help that y'all might can give me on this subject: Ideas on subject matter (I have so many, but know that there are many more out there); possible sites for obtaining the related pictures; paintings; drawings; old newspaper cartoon... Anything at all!

I've been working in this for so many days, and hours straight, that I've hit a total brain block. I have always been a devoted lover of American History - it was also my 4-yr. co-Major; but, with the meds I'm on right now, I'm finding it difficult to put all my ideas/subject matter definitions together

Thanks in advance for ANY & ALL help from my Great Pals on Y!A!

BTW! It's great to be back on the computer after so long!!

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