America Opens Up

“I know of no country, indeed, where the love of money has taken stronger

hold on the affections of men.” Alexis de Tocqueville

Revolution of a New Kind

• Technology on the rise• Reshaping American landscape• Distances shortened by improved

transportation– Advent of steamboats

• Information moving faster– Telegraph– Postal system

Market Economy Blossoms

• Small scale farmers on the decline• Intercontinental trading patterns shift• Federal government strong influence– Promoting economic growth– Active role in bank establishment– Regulate interstate commerce– John Marshall key advocate; built confidence in

world of business

Factories

• Population explosion help; new labor force• Skilled artisans becoming thing of the past• Invention on the rise• Lowell, Mass– Case study for changing times– Life of factory workers– Primarily young women– Established work day and week– Environmental impact heavy

Societal Effects of Industrial Change

• Specialized workers less desired• Social standing effected• Personal schedules no longer, slave to

timeclock• Strict rules implemented on personal behavior• Unions established• Republican ideals shifting

Where Do I Fit?

• Social class development increasing• Gap widens between rich and poor• Middle class grows– Some room for social mobility

• Materialism on the rise

Panic!

• England changes cotton source• America hit hard by loss• Peace in Europe also adds to financial

concerns• Fears led to finger pointing towards

government, change to occur