> . . . 1804-1865 was a big gap, and the country was much younger then. >> The rate of change was also a lot less 200 years ago. Not certain if that is true.

> . . . 1804-1865 was a big gap, and the country was much younger then. >> The rate of change was also a lot less 200 years ago. Not certain if that is true. For example, the Louisiana purchase was finalized in 1804, doubling the country in geographic size.