Industrialization and Labor APUSH 11306 Ms Weston Industrial

Industrialization and Labor APUSH 11/3/06 Ms. Weston

Industrial Revolution Slow to Arrive in US Began in Britain with textile factories—industrial revolution spread to other countries n Why did America lag behind Britain and W. Europe? n – Land still available, many people would rather live on frontier than in cities – Lack of labor supply (until immigrants arrive) – Lack of capital – Few raw materials – British products still superior – British unwilling to share technology

Development of the Factory System n Samuel Slater—Father of American Facotry System – Brought secrets of British textile machines to America – Reconstructed first American spinning machine n Eli Whitney—responded to cotton shortage – – – 1793: Cotton Gin separated seed from cotton fiber Transformed cotton production Tied South even further to King Cotton Revived demand for slavery Stimulated development of textile factories in America

New England as Center of Manufacturing n Stony soil made farming difficult and manufacturing attractive n Dense population provided labor and markets n Shipping brought in capital n Seaports made import of raw materials possible n Rapid rivers provided water power

Developments in Manufacturing Factories grew during and after War of 1812, then growth slowed down with increasing British competition. n 1790 s, Eli Whitney—concept of interchangeable parts revolutionized manufacturing n – Basis of mass production and assembly line production n Other developments: – Sewing machine—Invented by Elias Howe, perfected by Isaac Singer Ready-made clothing – Changes to business law—creation of corporations and limited liability laws – Samuel F. B. Morse and the telegraph—increased communication across country.

Developments in Manufacturing ctnd. n Other developments: – Sewing machine—Invented by Elias Howe, perfected by Isaac Singer Ready-made clothing – Changes to business law—creation of corporations and limited liability laws – Samuel F. B. Morse and the telegraph— increased communication across country.

The Workers n Drastic change in working conditions – Long hours, low wages, lack of sanitation, ventilation, heating – Forbidden to form labor unions n Problem of child labor – Mental, physical and emotional damage

The Workers ctnd. n Some improvements – Working-class men able to vote starting in Jacksonian Era – 1840: Van Buren passes 10 -hour day for federal employees – Workers start to organize unions and go on strike § Commonwealth v. Hunt—affirms right of labor unions to exist

Women and the Economy n Some opportuntiies in factories to work n Also, nursing, domestic service and teaching n Most working women were single

Changes to Family Life n n n n “Cult of domesticity”—worshipping of women’s roles in the home Women seen as moral decision makers at home “Domestic feminism”—women had more power in the home Choice of spouse based more on love Families more close-knit and affectionate Families grew smaller—BIRTH RATE DECLINED! Families more child-centered

Developments in Farming Grain and corn became staple crops of Western farmers n Farmers wanted new ways to get more land n – John Deere, steel plow, to break stubborn Western soil – Cyrus Mc. Cormick, mechanical mower-reaper – SUBSISTENCE FARMING ENDED, CASH-CROP AGRICULTURE TOOK OVER!

Highways n Need for better system of roads and transport with economic growth n First turnpike—broad, hard-surfaced highway which people paid a toll to maintain n Controversy over building roads in West— states’ righters didn’t want federal help – 1811—federal government began building Cumberland Road from Maryland to Illinois

Steamboats n 1807, Robert Fulton sent steamship up Hudson River n Enabled quick transport regardless of wind, wave or current n Played a vital role in opening of West and South – Regions had lots of rivers – People settled near water-supply for trade

The Erie Canal n Part of canal building craze in early 1800 s n Erie Canal completed with state money n Linked Great Lakes with Hudson River n Led to economic boom in New York n Put some farmers out of work since prices of products went down

The Railroad The most significant contribution to the development of a national market economy n Fast, reliable, cheaper than canals to make, defied terrain and weather n Railroads begin construction in 1820 s n Important developments n – – Standardized gauges Better brakes Safety devices Pullman “sleeping palaces”

Other Communication and Transportation Developments n 1866: Trans-atlantic cable linking US and Europe n 1840 s-1850 s: Golden Age of American Shipping – New clipper ships—fast and efficient – Made obsolete by steamships n 1860: Pony Express—carried mail from Missouri to CA in 10 days – Made obsolete by telegraph