ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

IntroductionIntroduction• Population changes?Population changes?• Life on the frontier? Image vs. reality?Life on the frontier? Image vs. reality?• Rugged individualism?Rugged individualism?• Why was the U.S. slow to embrace the Why was the U.S. slow to embrace the

Industrial Revolution? Industrial Revolution? • Why such rapid movement westward?Why such rapid movement westward?

– Liberal land policies Liberal land policies – 1796: minimum land purchase of 640 acres at 1796: minimum land purchase of 640 acres at

$2 per acre. (Federalist land policy)$2 per acre. (Federalist land policy)– 1820: min. 80 acres for $1.25 (Democratic land 1820: min. 80 acres for $1.25 (Democratic land

policy)policy)

First Turnpike- 1790 Lancaster, PA

By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road connected most major cities.connected most major cities.

Conestoga Covered Wagons

Conestoga Trail, 1820sConestoga Trail, 1820s

Cumberland (National Road), 1811

Erie Canal System

Erie Canal, 1820s

Begun in 1817; completed in 1825Begun in 1817; completed in 1825

Robert Fulton & the Steamboat

1807: The 1807: The ClermontClermont

Principal Canals in 1840

Inland Freight Rates

Clipper Ships

14

John Stevens

John Stevens became interested in steam locomotion in the 1780’s. He

established the world's first steam ferry, and later built the first operating steam

locomotive in the United States.

The “Iron Horse” Wins! (1830)

1830 1830 13 miles of track built by Baltimore & 13 miles of track built by Baltimore & Ohio RROhio RR

By 1850 By 1850 9000 mi. of RR track [1860 9000 mi. of RR track [1860 31,000 31,000 mi.]mi.]

TheRailroad

Revolution,1850s

Immigrant laborImmigrant laborbuilt the No. built the No. RRs.RRs.

Slave laborSlave laborbuilt the So. built the So. RRs. RRs.

17

Prior to the railroad it was difficult for companies to move products to distant locations.

A transportation system was needed to efficiently and cheaply move both raw materials to the factories and the finished goods to the consumers.

River and canal transportation were limited to areas near water routes. In addition, frozen water prevented their use during the winter.

Railroads solved the problems and within a few decades of development, railroads became the most important method of moving goods and people.

Why were railroads so important for the industrial growth of the United States?

18

The width of the rail tracts (gauge) was standardized which allowed trains from different railroads to switch tracks.

Four standardized time zones were created for the entire nation in 1883. This made it possible to create train arrival and departure times across the country.

Steel rails replaced iron rails, which could carry heavier loads.

The state and federal governments gave railroads huge grants of land amounting to over 180 million acres. This provided an incentive to build more lines and encouraged settlement.

George Westinghouse patented the first automatic air brake, which made train travel much safer.

Innovations led to the creation of an efficient rail network in the United States

19

George Pullman designed a sleeping car including the services of supplying the linens, housekeeping, and attendants for the sleeping cars, making train travel much more comfortable. Pullman’s car gained much attention after it housed President’s Lincoln’s body through 8 states during the funeral procession.

20

There were hundreds of inventions that increased output for farmers beginning in the 1840s. Major new machinery included:

Reapers Automatic wire binderThreshing machine Mechanical planter Mechanical cutter

Huskers and shellers Cream separators Manure spreaders

Potato planters Hay driers

Poultry incubators

New inventions led to the mechanization of agriculture

21

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

1800 1840 1860 1900

Wheat 100bushelsCorn 100bushelsCotton bale

Number of man-hours to produce crop

Resourcefulness & Experimentation

Americans were willing to try Americans were willing to try

anything.anything. They were first copiers, thenThey were first copiers, then

innovators.innovators.1800 1800 41 patents were 41 patents were approved.approved.1860 1860 4,357 “ “ “4,357 “ “ “

Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin, 1791

Actually Actually invented by a invented by a

slave!slave!

Eli Whitney’s Gun Factory

Interchangeable Parts RifleInterchangeable Parts Rifle

John Deere & the Steel Plow(1837)

Cyrus McCormick& the Mechanical Reaper:

1831

Samuel F. B. Morse

1840 – Telegraph1840 – Telegraph

Cyrus Field & the Transatlantic Cable,

1858

Elias Howe & Isaac Singer

1840s1840sSewing MachineSewing Machine

*1*1stst widely advertised consumer widely advertised consumer productproduct

*Installment plans*Installment plans

z They all regarded material They all regarded material advance as the natural fruit of advance as the natural fruit of American republicanism & proof American republicanism & proof of the country’s virtue and of the country’s virtue and promise.promise.

The “American Dream”

A German visitor in the 1840s, A German visitor in the 1840s, Friedrich List, observed:Friedrich List, observed:

Anything new is quickly introduced Anything new is quickly introduced here, including all of the latest here, including all of the latest inventions. There is no clinging to inventions. There is no clinging to old ways. The moment an old ways. The moment an American hears the word American hears the word “invention,” he pricks up his ears.“invention,” he pricks up his ears.

Creating a Business-Friendly ClimateSupreme Court Rulings:Supreme Court Rulings:

** Fletcher v. PeckFletcher v. Peck (1810) (1810) ** Dartmouth v. WoodwardDartmouth v. Woodward (1819)(1819) ** McCulloch v. MarylandMcCulloch v. Maryland (1819) (1819) ** Gibbons v. OgdenGibbons v. Ogden (1824) (1824) ** Charles Rivers Bridge v. Charles Rivers Bridge v. WarrenWarren Bridge Bridge (1835) *See page #335 (1835) *See page #335General Incorporation Law General Incorporation Law passedpassed in New York, 1848. in New York, 1848.Laissez faire Laissez faire BUT, govt. did muchBUT, govt. did much to assist capitalism! to assist capitalism!

Distribution of Wealthv During the American During the American

Revolution,Revolution,45% of all wealth in the top 45% of all wealth in the top 10% of10% ofthe population.the population.v 1845 Boston 1845 Boston top 4% owned top 4% owned

overover 65% of the wealth. 65% of the wealth.v 1860 Philadelphia 1860 Philadelphia top 1% top 1% ownedowned over 50% of the wealth. over 50% of the wealth.v The gap between rich and poor The gap between rich and poor waswas widening! widening!

Samuel Slater(“Father of the Factory

System”)

The Lowell/Waltham System:

First Dual-Purpose Textile Plant

Francis Cabot Lowell’s town - 1814Francis Cabot Lowell’s town - 1814

Lowell in 1850

Lowell Mill

Early Textile Loom

New EnglandTextile

Centers:

1830s

New England Dominance in Textiles

Women and the EconomyWomen and the Economy• Factory work = greater economic independence Factory work = greater economic independence

for women and opportunity to buy manufactured for women and opportunity to buy manufactured goods. Esp. in nursing, teaching, and domestic goods. Esp. in nursing, teaching, and domestic serviceservice

• However, most “factory girls” had little chance of However, most “factory girls” had little chance of becoming self-supporting – why?becoming self-supporting – why?

• Most working women were single and once Most working women were single and once married left the factories to care for their home. married left the factories to care for their home.

• Cult of Domesticity Cult of Domesticity – widespread cultural – widespread cultural creed that glorified the functions of the creed that glorified the functions of the homemaker. homemaker.

Lowell Girls

What was their typical What was their typical “profile?”“profile?”

Lowell Boarding Houses

What was boardinghouse life like?What was boardinghouse life like?*See “The Spread of the Factory” *See “The Spread of the Factory”

readingsreadings

Lowell Mills Time Table

Early “Union” Newslett

er

The Factory Girl’s Garland

February 20, 1845 issue.February 20, 1845 issue.

I’m a Factory Girl Filled with WishesI'm a factory girlI'm a factory girl

Everyday filled with fearEveryday filled with fearFrom breathing in the poison airFrom breathing in the poison airWishing for windows!Wishing for windows!I'm a factory girlI'm a factory girlTired from the 13 hours of work each dayTired from the 13 hours of work each dayAnd we have such low payAnd we have such low payWishing for shorten work times!Wishing for shorten work times!I'm a factory girlI'm a factory girlNever having enough time to eatNever having enough time to eatNor to rest my feetNor to rest my feetWishing for more free time!Wishing for more free time!I'm a factory girlI'm a factory girlSick of all this harsh conditionsSick of all this harsh conditionsMaking me want to sign the petition!Making me want to sign the petition!So do what I ask for because I am a factory So do what I ask for because I am a factory girlgirlAnd I'm hereby speaking for all the rest!And I'm hereby speaking for all the rest!

Average workday was 11 hours per

day

From a report on Lowell, a mill in Massachusetts,

working conditions in 1846“Thus thirteen hours per day of close attention and monotonous

labor are exacted from the young women in these

manufactories. . . So fatigued-we should say, exhausted and worn out but we wish to speak of the system in the simplest language-are numbers o f the girls, that they go to bed soon after their evening meal? and endeavor by a comparatively long sleep to resuscitate their

weakened frames for the toils of the coming day. “

Irish Immigrant Girls at Lowell

Unions began to form after the Revolutionary War in cities such as Philadelphia and Baltimore. In the 1820s the Mechanics'

Union of Trade Associations, the first to combine different types of unions, formed. Their goals were not only

higher wages and improved working conditions but also free public schools, abolition of debtors jail, and universal male suffrage. The Union entered politics

to secure their goals.

Labor ReformPreamble of the Mechanics' Union of Trade Associations

(Philadelphia, 1828)“We, the Journeymen Mechanics

of the City and County of Philadelphia, conscious that our

condition in society, is lower than justice demands it should be, and feeling our inability, individually,

to ward off from ourselves and families those numerous evils

which result from an unequal and very excessive accumulation of

wealth and power into the hands of a few, are desirous of forming an Association, which shall avert as much as possible those evils

with which poverty and incessant toil have already inflicted, and which threaten ultimately to, overwhelm and destroy us…”

Up until the mid-19th century, a person

could be put in jail if they could not pay back money owed. Early unions pushed to have debtors jails

abolished.

A family in debtor’s prison

Child labor was widespread in the 19th and early 20th

centuries, for example, in New

England about 30% of workers were

children under 16.

In the late 1820s, unions entered politics with the Working Men's Party. It was made up of craftsmen, skilled journeymen, and reformers who sought a 10-hour workday, free public education, abolition of debtor imprisonment, and an end to prison contract labor..

Many of the early labor unions were destroyed by the economic collapse caused by the Panic of 1837. Nearly 30% of U.S. workers lost their jobs.

Labor unions made a comeback in the 1840s and 1850s but were again devastated by the economic crisis of the Panic of 1857.

Unions came back strongly after the Civil War.

Unions

The Early Union MovementWorkingman’s Party Workingman’s Party (1829)(1829) ** Founded by Robert Dale Owen Founded by Robert Dale Owen and and others in New York City. others in New York City.Early unions were usually local, Early unions were usually local, social, and weak.social, and weak.

Commonwealth v. HuntCommonwealth v. Hunt (1842)(1842)•Ruled that labor unions were not Ruled that labor unions were not illegal conspiracies as long as their illegal conspiracies as long as their methods were “honorable and methods were “honorable and peaceful” peaceful”

..

In 1840, President Van Buren established a ten hour work day for all federal employees.

In 1842, the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that labor unions were not illegal conspiracies.

In 1842, children were prohibited from working over ten hours a day.

In 1847, New Hampshire made ten hours the legal workday.

In 1848, Pennsylvania passed a law to make 12 the minimum age for child workers.

In 1848, Pennsylvania passed a ten hour work day.

Major antebellum (period between the Revolutionary and Civil Wars) labor

accomplishments

Regional Specialization

EAST EAST IndustrialIndustrial

SOUTH SOUTH Cotton & SlaveryCotton & Slavery

WEST WEST The Nation’s The Nation’s “Breadbasket”“Breadbasket”

American Population Centers in 1820

American Population Centers in 1860

60

U.S. population increase: 1850 to 1900Most of this increase can be attributed to the large number of immigrants who arrived in the U.S. during the second and third waves of immigration

from Europe

National Origin of Immigrants:1820 - 1860

Why now?Why now?

Irish ImmigrantsIrish Immigrants• 1840s “Black Forties”1840s “Black Forties”

– Potato famine killed 2 million in IrelandPotato famine killed 2 million in Ireland– Tens of thousands flocked to the U.S.Tens of thousands flocked to the U.S.– Swarmed to larger cities – why?Swarmed to larger cities – why?– Lived in squalor, regarded as social menace, and Lived in squalor, regarded as social menace, and

forced into least desirable jobs.forced into least desirable jobs.– Competed for jobs = native hatred toward the IrishCompeted for jobs = native hatred toward the Irish– Molly MaguiresMolly Maguires– Became influential in politicsBecame influential in politics

• Tammany HallTammany Hall• patronagepatronage

Most of the immigrants who came to the Most of the immigrants who came to the United States following the potato famine of United States following the potato famine of the 1840s settled in the 1840s settled in

A.A. Urban areas of the NorthUrban areas of the NorthB.B. Seacoast cities of the SouthSeacoast cities of the SouthC.C. Rural sections of the Old NorthwestRural sections of the Old NorthwestD.D. CaliforniaCaliforniaE.E. AppalachiaAppalachia

German ImmigrantsGerman Immigrants• 1830-1860 more than 1 million Germans 1830-1860 more than 1 million Germans

came to U.S.came to U.S.• Mostly farmers and political liberals in Mostly farmers and political liberals in

search of democracy.search of democracy.• Many settled in the West and established Many settled in the West and established

farmsfarms• More scattered than the IrishMore scattered than the Irish

Know-Nothing Party:

“The Supreme

Order of the Star-

Spangled Banner”

Changing Occupation Distributions:1820 - 1860

The Market Revolution - The Market Revolution - summarizedsummarized

• Market Revolution Market Revolution – 18– 18thth and 19 and 19thth century century transformation from a subsistence economy to transformation from a subsistence economy to a national commercial and industrial network. a national commercial and industrial network. – Supreme Court (under Marshall) protected Supreme Court (under Marshall) protected

contract rights = development of monopolies. contract rights = development of monopolies. – After 1835, the SC under Taney encouraged After 1835, the SC under Taney encouraged

greater competition. greater competition. – Self-sufficient households of colonial days Self-sufficient households of colonial days

disappear. disappear.

The Market Revolution - The Market Revolution - summarizedsummarized

• Market Revolution Market Revolution continued:continued:– Advanced in manufacturing and transportation Advanced in manufacturing and transportation

= increased prosperity and growing gap = increased prosperity and growing gap between rich and poor. between rich and poor.

– Millions of immigrants flocked to the U.S. Millions of immigrants flocked to the U.S. – Increased standard of living. Increased standard of living.

ECONOMIC?

SOCIAL?

POLITICAL?

FUTUREPROBLEMS?