forging the national economy, 1790–1860

Chapter14ForgingtheNationalEconomy,1790–1860

I.TheWestwardMovement

– RiseofAndrewJackson,firstpresidentfrombeyondAppalachians,exemplifiedmovementwest

• Late1850s:– HalfofAmericansunderageof30– By1840“demographiccenter”ofpopulationmaphadcrossedAlleghenies(seeMap14.1)

– By1860,ithadcrossedOhioRiver

Map 14-1 p279

I.TheWestwardMovement(cont.)

• LifeacrossOhioRiver:– Downrightgrimformostpioneerfamilies

• Suffereddiseases,depression,andprematuredeath• Unbearableloneliness,especiallyforwomen• Breakdownsandmadnesswerefrequent• Frontierlifecouldbetoughandcrudeformenaswell

I.TheWestwardMovement(cont.)

– Pioneers,maroonedbygeography,wereoftenill-informed,superstitious,provincial,andfiercelyindividualistic.

– Popularliteratureaboundedwithportraitsofunique,isolatedfigures.

– Eveninthesedaysof“ruggedindividualism”therewereexceptions.

– Pioneersrelieduponneighborsforhelpandupongovernmentforinternalimprovements.

II.ShapingtheWesternLandscape

• Westwardmovementmoldedphysicalenvironment:– By1820strappersactiveinvastRockyMountainregion

– Fur-trappingempirebasedonrendezvous(Frenchfor“meeting”)system

– TrappersandIndianscometogethertotradebeaverpeltsformanufacturedgoodsfromEast

II.ShapingtheWesternLandscape(cont.)

– Beaverallbutdisappearedfromregion– Buffalowerealsoalmostannihilated– OnCaliforniacoast,traderssoughtsea-otterpelts,drivingthemtopointofnear-extinction

• Somehavecalledthisaggressive,heedlessexploitationofWest'snaturalbountyecologicalimperialism.

• YetAmericansreverednatureandadmireditsbeauty– Manyfoundwild,unspoiledcharacterofland,esp.theWest,tobeamongyoungnation'sdefiningattributes

II.ShapingtheWesternLandscape(cont.)

• Americahadpristine,naturalbeauty,unspoiledbyhumanhands– Thisnationalmystiqueinspiredliterature,painting,andapowerfulconservationmovement:

• GeorgeCatlin,painterandstudentofNativeAmericanlife,wasamongthefirsttoadvocatepreservationofnatureasdeliberatenationalpolicy

• Proposedcreationofanationalparkin1830s:– StartedwithYellowstoneParkin1872

III.TheMarchoftheMillions

• AsAmericanpeoplemovedWest,theymultipliedatanamazingrate:– Bymidcentury,populationdoubledeverytwenty-fiveyears(seeFigure14:1)

– By1860,thirteencolonieshadmorethandoubledinnumbers;33starsgracedflag

– U.S.A.wasfourthmostpopulousnationinwesternworld:exceededbyRussia,France,andAustria

Figure 14-1 p281

III.TheMarchoftheMillions(cont.)

• Urbangrowthcontinuedexplosively:– 1790onlytwoAmericancitiesthatcouldboastpopulationsof20,000—Philadelphia,NewYork

– 1860therewere43and300claimedover5,000– NewYorkwasmetropolis;NewOrleans,“QueenoftheSouth;”andChicago,swaggeringlordofMidwest—destinedtobe“hogbutcherfortheworld”


• Over-rapidurbanizationbroughtundesirableby-products:– Smellyslums,inadequatepolicing,impurewater,foulsewage,ravenousrats,andimpropergarbagedisposal

– Boston(1823)pioneeredsewersystem– NewYork(1842)abandonedwellsandcisternsforpiped-inwatersupply,thuseliminatingbreedingplacefordisease-carryingmosquitoes


• Highbirthrateaccountedforbiggestincreaseinpopulation,butimmigrationalsohelped:– By1830simmigrationwas60,000ayear– Influxtripledin1840sandthenquadrupledinthe1850s

– During1840sand1850s,>1.5millionIrish,andnearlyasmanyGermanscame(seeTable14.1)

Table 14-1 p281


• Whydidtheycome?• BecauseEuropeseemedtoberunningoutofroom,had“surpluspeople”

• Majorityheadedfor“landoffreedomandopportunity”

• Newtransoceanicsteamshipsallowedimmigrantstomovespeedilyandcheaply

• UnitedStatesreceivedfarmorediversearrayofimmigrantsthanothercountries

• U.S.A.receivedimmigrantsfromdozensofdifferentnations

IV.TheEmeraldIsleMovesWest

• Irelandwasdevastatedinmid-1840s:– 2milliondiedasresultofpotatofamine– TensofthousandsfledLandofFamineforLandofPlentyin“BlackForties”

– Ireland'sgreatexporthasbeenpopulation:• JoinedJewsandAfricansasdispersedpeople(see“MakersofAmerica:TheIrish”)

– Manyswarmedintoseaboardcities(e.g.,Boston)

IV.TheEmeraldIsleMovesWest(cont.)

• NewYorkCitybecamelargestIrishcityinworld• Irishdidnotreceivered-carpettreatment• Friendless“famineIrish”forcedtofendforthemselves:

– AncientOrderofHibernians,semisecretsocietyfoundedinIrelandtofightrapaciouslandlords,servedinAmericaasbenevolentsociety,ailingdowntrodden

– HelpedspawnMollyMaguires,shadowyIrishminers'unionthatrockedPennsylvaniacoaldistrictsin1860sand1870s

IV.TheEmeraldIsleMovesWest(cont.)

• IrishconditionsinAmerica:• Tendedtoremaininlow-skilloccupations• Graduallyimprovedtheirlot,usuallybyacquiringmodestamountsofproperty

• Educationofchildrenwasoftencutshort• Propertyownershipcountedasagrand“success”• PoliticsattractedGaelicnewcomers• Gainedcontrolofpowerfulcitymachines,esp.NewYork'sTammanyHall,andreapedpatronagerewards

Iv.TheEmeraldIsleMovesWest(cont.)

• PoliticianstriedtocultivateIrishvote:• Nearlytwomillionarrivedbetween1830and1860—andpoliticiansglimpsedpoliticalgoldinthosepotentialvoters,esp.inpoliticallypotentstateofNewYork

• BecauseIrishhatredofEnglandremainedstrong,politicianswonsupportwithanti-Britishremarks

V.TheGermanForty-Eighters

• InfluxofrefugeesfromGermanyb/t1830and1860hardlylessspectacularthanfromIreland:– >1.5GermanssteppedontoAmericansoil(see“MakersofAmerica:TheGermans”)

– Bulkwereuprootedfarmers– Somewereliberalpoliticalrefugees– Germany'slosswasAmerica'sgain:CarlSchurzbecamerelentlessfoeofslaveryandpubliccorruption

V.TheGermanForty-Eighters(cont.)

• Germans:– Possessedmodestamountofmaterialsgoods– MostpushedtolushlandsofMiddleWest,notablyWisconsinforfarming

– Formedinfluentialbodyofvoterswooedbypoliticians

– LesspotentpoliticallythanIrishsinceweremorewidelyscattered


– GermaninfluenceinshapingAmericanlife:• Conestogawagon,Kentuckyrifle,andChristmastreeallGermancontributions

• Supportedpublicschools,includingKindergarten(children'sgarden)

• Promotedmusicandarts• Relentlessenemiesofslavery


• Sometimesdubbed“damnedDutchmen”andregardedwithsuspicion:– Seekingtopreservelanguageandcustoms,theysettledincompact“colonies”alooffromsurroundingcommunities

– Accustomedto“ContinentalSunday,”theymademerryonSunday

– TheirOldWorlddrinkinghabitsfurtherspurredadvocatesoftemperance

VI.Flare-upsofAntiforeignism

• Influxofimmigrantsin1840sand1850sinflamedprejudicesofAmerican“nativists:”– Fearedimmigrantswouldoutbreed,outvote,andoverwhelm“native”stock

– Alsotookjobsfrom“native”Americans– AsRomanCatholicswereregardedbymanyold-lineAmericansasfollowinga“foreign”church

VI.Flare-upsofAntiforeignism(cont.)

• RomanCatholicsonthemove:– ToavoidProtestantindoctrinationinpublicschools,beganin1840stoconstructseparateCatholiceducationalsystem:

• Expensive,revealedstrengthofreligiouscommitment– WithIrishandGermaninflux,Catholicsbecamelargereligiousgroup:

• In1840rankedfifthbehindBaptists,Methodists,PresbyteriansandCongregationalists


• Know-NothingParty—organizedby“nativists”forpoliticalaction:– Agitatedforrigidrestrictiononimmigrationandnaturalization

– Agitatedforlawsauthorizingdeportationofalienpaupers

– Promotedluridliteratureofexposure,muchofitpurefiction

– Example:MariaMonk'sAwfulDisclosures


• OccasionalmassviolenceagainstCatholics:– Burnedchurchesandschools– Somekilledandwoundedindaysoffighting

• ImmigrantsmadeU.S.A.oneofmostethnicallyandraciallydiversesocietiesinworld.

• Notsurprisingthatculturalclashesoccurred.


• Americaneconomy:– Attractedimmigrantsandensuredthemshareofwealthwithoutjeopardizingwealthofothers

– Immigrantshelpedfueleconomicexpansion– ImmigrantsandAmericaneconomyneededeachother

– TogethertheyhelpedbringIndustrialRevolution

VII.CreepingMechanization

• Britishinventorsin1750sperfectedseriesofmachinesformassproductionoftextiles:– HarnessedsteamtousherinmodernfactorysystemofIndustrialRevolution

– Spectaculartransformationinagriculturalproduction

– Aswellasmethodsoftransportationandcommunication

VII.CreepingMechanization (cont.)

• FactorysystemslowlyspreadfromBritain,“theworld'sworkshop”.

• WhywasAmericaslowtoindustrialize?– Landwascheap– Laborwasscarce– Moneyforcapitalinvestmentwasscarce

VIII.WhitneyEndstheFiberFamine

• SamuelSlater—“FatherofFactorySystem”– Aftermemorizingplansformachinery,heescapedtoAmerica

– WonbackingofcapitalistMosesBrown– Reconstructedessentialapparatusin1791– Thusputtogether1stefficientmachineryforspinningcottonthreadinAmerica

– Problemwasaccessingcottonfiber– EliWhitney'scottonginsolvedproblem

VIII.WhitneyEndstheFiberFamine(cont.)

• Momentouseffectsofcottongin:– Plantersclearedmoreandmorelandforcotton– CottonKingdompushedwestward– Insatiabledemandforcottonrivetedchainsofslaverymoretightlyonsouthernblacks

– Yankeemachinesputoutavalanchesoftextiles– America'sIndustrialRevolutionfirstblossomedincottontextiles


• Factories1stflourishedinNewEngland,thenbranchedouttoNY,NJ,Pennsylvania

• TheSouth:– Increasinglyweddedtogrowingcotton– Littlemanufacturing– Capitalinvestedinslaves– Localconsumersformostpartdesperatelypoor


• NewEnglandfavoredasindustrialcenterbecause:– Stonysoilmadefarmingdifficultandmanufacturingattractive

– Densepopulationprovidedlaborandmarkets– Seaportsprovidedeasyimportofrawmaterialsandexportoffinishedproducts

– Riversprovidedabundantwaterpower– By1860,>400millionpoundsofsoutherncottonpouredintomills,mostlyinNewEngland

IX.MarvelsinManufacturing

• Asfactorysystemflourished,itembracedotherindustries.

• ContributionofWhitney'sinterchangeablepartstomanufactureoffirearms:– Basisofmass-production,assembly-linemethods– GaveNorththefactoriesthatensuredmilitarypreponderanceoverSouth

– IronicallyWhitney,byperfectingcottongin,gaveslaveryrenewedleaseonlife

IX.MarvelsinManufacturing(cont.)

– Sewingmachine:• InventedbyEliasHowein1846• PerfectedbyIsaacSinger• Strongboosttonorthernindustrialization• Foundationofready-madeclothing• Movedsewingfromprivatehomestofactory


– Eachnewinventionstimulatedstillmoreimaginativeinventions:

• Decadeendingin1800:only306patentsregistered• Decadeendingin1860:28,000patentsregistered


• Keychangesinformandlegalstatusofbusinessorganizations:– Principleoflimitedliabilityaidedconcentrationofcapital

– BostonAssociatescreatedby15Bostonfamilies– Lawsof“freeincorporation”meantbusinessmencouldcreatecorporationswithoutapplyingforindividualchartersfromlegislature


• SamuelF.B.Morse:– Inventedtelegraph– Secured$30,000fromCongresstoexperimentwith“talkingwires”

– In1844,strungawire40milesfromWashingtontoBaltimoreandtappedouthistoricmessage,“WhathathGodwrought?”


• BytimeofLondonWorld'sFairin1851:– Americanproductswereprominentamongworld'scommercialwonders

– FairgoerscrowdedintoCrystalPalacetosee• McCormick'sreaper• Morse'stelegraph• Colt'sfirearms• CharlesGoodyear'svulcanizedrubbergoods

X.Workersand“WageSlaves”

• Factorysystemcreatedacutelaborproblem.• Manufacturinghadbeendoneinhome:

– Mastercraftsmanandapprenticeworkedtogether

• IndustrialRevolutionsubmergedpersonalassociationintoimpersonalownershipoffactoriesin“spindlecities”surroundedbyhovelsof“wageslaves.”

X.Workersand“WageSlaves” (cont.)

• Workers'conditions:– Hourslong,wageslow– Mealsskimpyandhastilygulped– Workerstoiledinunsanitarybuildings(poorlyventilated,lighted,heated)

– Forbiddentoformunionstoraisewages– Only24recordedstrikesbefore1835


• Exploitationofchildlabor:– In1820,manyofnation'sindustrialtoilerswerechildrenunderten

– Victimsoffactory,childrenwerementallyblighted,emotionallystarved,physicallystunted,andbrutallywhippedinspecial“whippingrooms”

– Slater'smillof1791:firstmachinetendersweresevenboysandtwogirls,allunder12


• Lotofadultwageworkersin1820s-1830s:– Manystatesgrantedlaboringmanthevote– Strovetolightenedburdenthroughworkingmen'sparties

– ManyworkersgaveloyaltytoDemocraticPartyofAndrewJackson

– Besides10-hourday,higherwages,andtolerableworkingconditions,workersdemandedpubliceducationandendtoimprisonmentfordebt


• Employersfought10-hourday:– Arguedreducedhourswouldlessenproduction,increasecosts,anddemoralizeworkers

– LaborerswouldhavesomuchleisuretimethatDevilwouldleadthemtomischief

– In1840PresidentVanBurenestablishedten-hourdayforfederalemployeesonpublicworks

– Inlateryearsmanystatesbeganreducinghoursofworkingpeople


• Daylaborerstriedtoimprovetheirlot:– Strongestweaponwasstrikes– Dozensofstrikeseruptedin1830sand1840s– Soughthigherwages,ten-hourdays,andgoalssuchasrighttosmokeonjob

– Workerslostmorestrikesthantheywon– Employersimportedstrike-breakers– Laborraisedvoiceagainstimmigrants


• Labor'sefforttoorganize:– Some300,000tradeunionistsby1830– Declinedasresultofseveredepression,1837– Wonpromisinglegalvictoryin1842inCommonwealthv.Hunt

– Mass.SupremeCourtruledunionsnotillegalconspiracies,providedmethodswere“honorableandpeaceful”

– Casedidnotlegalizerighttostrike

XI.WomenandtheEconomy

• Womenbecamepartoffactoryproduction:– Factoriesunderminedworkofwomeninhomes– Factoriesofferedworktothosedisplayed– Factoryjobspromisedgreatereconomicindependenceforwomen

– Andmeanstobuymanufacturedproductsofnewmarketeconomy

XI.WomenandtheEconomy(cont.)

• “Factorygirls”toiled6daysaweek,12to13hours“fromdarktodark”

• TextilemillatLowell,Mass.:– WorkersmostlyNewEnglandfarmgirls– Supervisedonandoffjobbywatchfulmatrons– Escortedtochurchfromcompanyboardinghouses– Forbiddentoformunions– Fewoutletstoprotestgruelingworkingconditions


• Factoryjobsstillunusualforwomen:– Fewopportunitiestobeeconomicallyself-supporting(mainlynursing,domesticservices,andteaching)

– Teachingprofessionbecame“feminized”asmenleftforotheropportunities


• Other“opportunities”inhouseholdservice:– Onewhitefamilyintenemployedpoorwhite,immigrant,orblackwomen

– 10%ofwhitewomenworkedoutsidehome– 20%ofallwomenemployedatsometimebeforemarriage

– Vastmajorityofworkingwomensingle– Uponmarriage,leftjobtobecomewivesandmothers,withoutwages


• Cultofdomesticity:– Widespreadculturalcreedthatglorifiedcustomaryfunctionsofhomemaker

– Marriedwomencommandedmoralpowerandincreasinglymadedecisionsthatalteredcharacteroffamilyitself

– Women'schangingroles:• IndustrialRevolutionchangedlifeinhomeofnineteenth-century:traditional“women'ssphere”


• Love,notparental“arrangement”determinedchoiceofspouse—yetparentsretainedpowerofveto

• Familiesbecamemorecloselyknitandaffectionate• Providedemotionalrefugeagainstthreateningimpersonalityofbig-cityindustrialism

• Familiesgrewsmaller• “Fertilityrate”droppedforwomenb/tage14and45• Birthcontrolstilltaboo,butwomenplayedlargepartinhavingfewerchildren

IX.WomenandtheEconomy(cont.)

• Newlyassertiverolehasbeencalled“domesticfeminism”• Smallerfamiliesmeantchild-centeredfamilies• WhatEuropeanssawinAmericanfamiliesaspermissivenesswasconsequenceofnewideaofchild-rearing:

– Child'swillwasnotsimplybroken,butrathershaped• Goodcitizensraisednottobemeeklyobedient,buttobeindependentindividuals,makingdecisionsoninternalizedmorals

IX.WomenandtheEconomy(cont.)

• Emergingoutlinesof“modern”family:– Small,affectionate,andchild-centered– Providedspecialareafortalentsofwomen– Bigimprovementfromearlierconditionsofgrindingtoil—oftenalongsidemeninfields

XII.WesternFarmersReapaRevolutionintheFields

• FlourishingfarmschangedfaceofWest:– Trans-Alleghenyregion—esp.Ohio-Indiana-Illinoistier—fastbecomingnation'sbreadbasket

• Beforelong,wouldbecomegranarytoworld– Pioneerfamilieshackedclearingoutofforest– Thenplantedcornfields– Yellowgrainamazinglyversatile

XII.WesternFarmersReapaRevolutionintheFields(cont.)

– MostwesternproductsfirstmovedbyOhio-MississippiRivers

– Inventionshelpedfarmers:• JohnDeerein1837producedasteelplowthatbrokestubbornsoil:

– Lightenoughtobepulledbyhorses,ratherthanoxen• 1830CyrusMcCormickinventedmechanicalmower-reaper

– Coulddoworkof5menwithsicklesandscythes– TowesternfarmerswhatcottonginwastoSouth

XII.WesternFarmersReapaRevolutionintheFields(cont.)

• McCormickreaper:– Madeambitiouscapitalistsoutofhumbleplowmen– Subsistencefarminggavewaytolarge-scalefoodproduction– Specialized,cash-cropagriculturecametodominatetrans-AlleghenyWest

– Withitfollowedmountingindebtedness– Wantedmorelandandmoremachinery– DreamedofnewmarketsinmushroomingfactorytownsofEastoracrossAtlantic

– However,stilllandlocked—neededtransportationrevolution

p298

McCormick Reaper Works, 1850s Contrast this hectic scene of “mass production” with the simple workplace depicted in “The Wheelwright’s Shop” on p. 293.

XIII.HighwaysandSteamboats

– In1789,whenConstitutionlaunched,primitivemethodsoftravelstilldominated:

• Waterbornetravelslow,uncertain,oftendangerous• Stagecoachesandwagonslurchedoverbone-shakingroads

• Cheap,efficienttransportationincreasinglyneeded• In1790s,privatecompanycompletedprofitableLancasterTurnpikeinPennsylvania,running62milesfromPhiladelphiatoLancaster

XIII.HighwaysandSteamboats(cont.)

• Asdriverapproachedtollgate,theyconfrontedbarrierofsharppikes,whichwereturnedasidewhentollpaid(hence,turnpike)

• Westernroadbuilding,alwaysexpensive,encounteredmanyobstacles:

– Noisystates'rightersopposedfederalaidtolocalprojects– Easternstatesprotestedagainstbeingbledofpopulationsbywestward-reachingarteries

– Westernersscoredkeytriumphin1811whenfederalgovernmentstartedconstructionofNationalRoad—knownasCumberlandRoad


• RobertFultonstartedsteamboatcraze:– InstalledpowerfulsteamengineonClermont:

• In1807,itwentfromNewYorkCityupHudsonRivertoAlbany—150milesin32hours

• Successofsteamboatwassensational• FultonchangedallofAmerica'snavigablestreamsintotwo-wayarteries,doublingcarryingcapacity

• (1820):60steamboatsonMississippiandtributaries• (1860):1,000


– April1865,steamerSultanaexplodedkilling1,700passengers

– SteamboatsplayedvitalroleinopeningWestandSouth

XIV.“Clinton'sBigDitch”inNewYork

• Canal-cuttingcrazeparalleledboominturnpikesandsteamboats(seeMap14.2):– NewYorkers,deniedfederalaidbystates'righters,fundedErieCanalthemselvestolinkGreatLakeswithHudsonRiver

– DrivingleadershipofGovernorDeWittClinton– Projectcalled“Clinton'sBigDitch”or“Governor'sGutter”

Map 14-2 p300

XIV.“Clinton'sBigDitch”inNewYork(cont.)

• Begunin1817,canalstretched363milesfromBuffaloonLakeErie,toHudsonRiver,ontoNewYorkharbor

• Shippingspedupascost/timedroppedsignificantly– Othereconomicripples

• Valueoflandalongrouteskyrocketedandnewcities,RochesterandSyracuse,blossomed

• NewprofitabilityoffarminginOldNorthwest—Ohio,Michigan,Indiana,IllinoisattractedEuropeanimmigrants

• Cleveland,Detroit,andChicagogrewinsize

XIV.“Clinton'sBigDitch”inNewYork(cont.)

– DispiritedNewEnglandfarmersabandonedrockyholdingsandwentelsewhere

– WithErieCanal,easytogowestandtakeupfarmingsouthofGreatLakes

– TransformationinNortheast—canalconsequences—showedhowlong-establishedlocalmarketstructurescouldbechangedbyemergingbehemothofcontinentaleconomy

– AmericangoodsalsoaffectinternationalmarketasEuropeansbegantofeeleffectsofAmericanexports

XV.TheIronHorse– Developmentofrailroad:

• Fast,reliable,cheaperthancanalstoconstruct,andnotfrozenoverinwinter

• Abletogoanywhere—itdefiedterrainandweather• Firstrailroadappearedin1828andnewlinesspreadswiftly

• Facedstrongoppositionfromcanalbuilders• Otherobstacles:

– Brakessofeeblethatengineersmightmissstation– Arrivalsanddepartureswereconjectural– Differencesingaugerequiredpassengerstomakefrequentchangesoftrains

XV.TheIronHorse(cont.)

• Improvementscame:– Gaugesgraduallybecamestandard– Safetydevicesadopted– Pullman“sleepingpalace”introducedin1859

• Americaatlonglastboundtogetherwithbracesofiron,latertobemadeofsteel

Map 14-3 p301

XVI.Cables,Clippers,andPonyRiders

– OtherformsoftransportationandcommunicationlinkedUnitedStatesandworld:

• CyrusFieldin1858:– Called“thegreatestwire-pullerinhistory,”stretchedacablefromNewfoundlandtoIreland

– Aheaviercablein1866permanentlylinkedAmericanandEuropeancontinents

• DonaldMcKaydevelopednewclipperships– Sacrificedcargospaceforspeed– Theirhourofglorywasrelativelybrief

XVI.Cables,Clippers,andPonyRiders(cont.)

• EveofCivilWar,Britishsteamerswonraceformaritimeascendancy:

– Steadier,roomier,morereliable–thusmoreprofitable• Stagecoaches:

– ImmortalizedbyMarkTwain'sRoughingIt– TheirdustytracksstretchedfrombanksofmuddyMissouriRivercleartoCalifornia(seeMap14.4)

• PonyExpress(1860):– Carriedmailspeedilythe2,000milesfromSt.Joseph,MissouritoSacramento,California;tendaytrip

– Lastedonly18months

Map 14-4 p303

XVI.Cables,Clippers,andPonyRiders(cont.)

• ExpressridersunhorsedbyMorse'sclackingkeys– BeganmessagestoCaliforniain1861

• Swiftshipsandfleetponiesusheredoutadyingtechnologyofwindandmuscle

• Infuture,machineswoulddominate

XVII.TheTransportWebBindstheUnion

– Transportationrevolution:• StimulatedbydesireofEasttotapWest

– Westernriversdrainedsouthwardtocottonbelt– SteamboatsreversedflowbybringingfinishedgoodstoWestandhelpedbindWestandSouthtogether

– ThreedecadesbeforeCivilWar,canalsandrailroadsfromEasttiedseaboardwithblossomingheartland

– Impressivegridof“internalimprovements”established• By1860,atrulycontinentaleconomyhademerged

XVII.TheTransportationWebBindstheUnion(cont.)

– Divisionoflaborappliedonanationallevel– Eachregionspecializedinparticulartypeofeconomicactivity

» Southraisedcotton» Westgrewgrainandlivestock» Eastmademachinesandtextiles

• Economicpatternhadfatefulpoliticalandmilitaryimplications:

– ManysouthernersregardedMississippiasachainlinkinguppervalleystatestosouthernCottonKingdom

– Theybelievedsomeorallofthesestateswouldsecedewiththemorbestrangled

XVII.TheTransportationWebBindstheUnion(cont.)

– Theyoverlookedman-madelinksthatboundupperMississippiValleytoEast

– Southernrebelswouldnotonlyhaveto» fightNorthernarmies» Alsotightbondsofinterdependentcontinentaleconomy

– Economically,twonortherlysectionswereconjoinedtwins

XVIII.TheMarketRevolution– MarketRevolution:

• Transformedsubsistenceeconomyofscatteredfarmsandtinyworkshopsintonationalnetworkofindustryandcommerce(seeMap14.5)

• Greatermechanizationandrobustmarket-orientedeconomyraisednewlegalquestions:

– Howtightlyshouldpatentsprotectinventions?– Shouldgovernmentregulatemonopolies?– Whoshouldowntechnologiesandnetworks?

• ChiefJusticeJohnMarshall'sCourtprotectedcontractrightsbyrequiringstatestograntirrevocablecharters

Map 14-5 p305

XVIII.TheMarketRevolution (cont.)

• Monopolieseasilydevelopedandnewcompaniesfounditdifficulttobreakintomarkets

• ChiefJusticeRogerTaneyargued“rightsofthecommunity”outweighedexclusivecorporaterights:

– Hisdecisionencouragedgreatercompetition– Sodidpassageofmoreliberalstateincorporationlaws

• Self-sufficienthouseholdsofearlierweretransformed:– Nowfamiliesscatteredtoworkforwagesinfactories– Orplantedjustafewcropsforsaleatmarket– Usedmoneytobuygoodsmadebystrangersinfar-offfactories


– Store-boughtproductsreplacedhomemadeproducts– Changeddivisionoflaborandstatusinhousehold– Traditionalwomen'sworkrenderedsuperfluousanddevalued

– Homegrewintoplaceofrefugefromworldofworkthatincreasinglybecamespecialandseparatesphereofwomen

• Revolutionaryadvancesinmanufacturingandtransportationbroughtincreasedprosperity:

– Widenedgulfbetweenrichandpoor– Newexamplesofcolossaleconomicsuccess– JohnJacobAstorleftestateof$30millionin1848


• Citiesbredgreatestextremesofeconomicinequality:– Unskilledworkersfaredworst;“drifted”fromcitytocity– Theseworkersaccountedforupto½thepopulationofnewindustrialcenters

– WereforgottenmenandwomenofAmericanhistory• Manymythsabout“socialmobility:”

– MobilitydidexistinindustrializingAmerica– Rags-torichessuccessstoriesrelativelyfew– Americandidprovidemore“opportunity”thanelsewhere– MillionsofimmigrantsheadedforNewWorldshores– Generalprosperitydefusedpotentialclassconflict

forging the national economy, 1790–1860

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