The Dynamic of Sectional Differences (Early-Mid 19th Century America) Chapter 7 Section 2

Historian’s Focus 1. How might the United States have been different if transportation had not advanced during the 1800’s? 2. How was the idea and development of interchangeable parts an example of the move to make work “less skilled” going into the early 19th century? Is this a legacy of today?

Witness History Lets read together on page 233 a Primary Source Account, “Witness History” What is Thomas Jefferson saying about the America he hopes to see? - Industry (manufacturing) has caught up with agriculture and is now an equal part in early America’s economy. What do you think domestic goods means?

Overview We now know that from covering Section 1 extensively, America overall is shifting in major ways: The Northern Society – Is focused on industry, manufacturing, working in factories, and increasing new technological measures for growth. The Southern Society – Is splitting from the North, they are focused on agriculture (very warm climate) And slave labor, and production of goods such as cotton through the use of the cotton gin, on their large plantations.

Picture of Eli Whitney

Why Industrialization Spread In the previous section we discussed the Embargo Act of 1807 and the War of 1812 as a reason for America’s birth into the Industrial Revolution But why did it spread? Begin reading on pg. 233 One reason for this is the Tariff of 1816 - Imposed by Congress, the tariff was designed to protect American industry.

Why Industrialization Spread Contd. This tariff increased the price on imported goods from other countries such as Great Britain, by an average of 20 to 25 percent. This inflated price on international goods, encouraged Americans to buy products that were now being produced domestically. The tariff helped industry in the Northeast, but hurt farmers in the South who now had to pay a higher price for goods than ever before

Why the Northeast? With the increase in immigration, labor in newly built factories became cheap. As opposed to the South, the Northeast did not have as fertile of soil due to the colder, harsher climate. The North however, did have access to many waterways, and rivers for shipping of goods and powering of factories. The South will begin to invest in land and slave labor.

STOP Class discussion: To better ensure we are understanding the content: So far, what are the major differences between the two economies? What political policy, helped increase the sale of domestic goods and why?

The North Emerges in Social Change Through cheap and unskilled laborers working in factories to produce goods in mass quantity (Remember mass production) - Skilled professionals and shop owners were running out of business due to this increase The price of their products, that would take longer to make as well, was much higher for Americans who rather pay less

The North Emerges in Social Change Contd. But these troubled unskilled workers or laborers want political change They are tired of their long, 12 hour plus days for such little pay From this, they sought to have free public education, laws to limit a working day to 10 hours, and the right to organize their own labor unions

What is a labor union? A labor union are groups of workers who pledge to be united under common goals such as seeking better pay and working conditions. If the labor union didn’t get what they wanted and thought was fair, they would then go on strike.

But what does a strike mean? What does a labor strike mean? - A labor strike is the refusal to meet the standards set forth by the employer, if felt their own needs within their labor are not met. Lets read together the Middle Paragraph on page 234

A Middle Class Emerges Industrialization helped build the middle class we know today These people consisted of bankers, lawyers, accountants, clerks, and brokers (stock market) Why is it called the Middle class though? - Well, they were considered above common laborers who tended to be poor even though they worked many hours

A Middle Class Emerges Contd. But much below the Upper Class of wealthy business owners Lets read again on page 234 These middle class people usually worked in offices outside of their home. Had a higher level of education in their trade than lower class Moved into separate neighborhoods as well Now, these neighborhoods within cities are based upon class and race.

Question? Is much about the middle class in the early 19th century still common today? Why or why not

New German and Irish Immigrants find a new life in America Lets read together in a round robin 1840 – Middle Class are native born Americans New working class are comprised of immigrants In each decade on, the number of increased immigrants in America would double. Mainly German and Irish Ireland had a potato famine that caused mass starvation Potato was the primary source for food from the poor

Ellis Island

New German and Irish Immigrants find a new life in America contd. Tended to be either Catholic or Jewish Most immigrants had to find work in either docks, factories, or construction sites Boosted the Northeast’s total population and especially Urban growth Lived in shabby neighborhoods due to being poor and competed with free African Americans for jobs Nativists – Whig Party that campaigned for laws to discourage immigration or deny rights Immigrants became democrats

The South and its Agriculture I will read the top of page 236 Cotton Production would surge as a result of 3 factors: Westward expansion, industrialization, and of course, the COTTON GIN But how did the cotton gin work? - By reducing the amount of time and cost it took from separating the cotton seeds from the valuable white fiber we love today. Grew in the Deep South – Georgia, South Carolina, but grew as Westward Expansion took off

Cotton Field

The South and its Agriculture Contd. Plantations grew as demand for cotton took off in the Northeast and their textile factories of clothing. Remember, a new economy is emerging. Cotton and cotton textiles accounted for over half the value of exporting goods to Europe Became known as King Cotton – Ruler of the Economy From this, slavery would soar in numbers in order to work the plantations.

Slave

Cultural and Economic Consequences South depended too much on one crop (cotton), so it would cause many Southerners to go bankrupt due to increased competition. Dispersed the population and spread out where people lived, therefore cities wouldn’t truly take hold Immigrants needed wage work, and would therefore look towards the Northeast for factories Urban Growth = Industrial Economy

Cultural and Economic Consequences Contd. Plantation owners did not want an education for their slaves, or even poor whites Southern illiteracy was tripled compared to the North Slaveholders, were actually the minority in the South Average slaveholder owed only 4 to 5 slaves, remember…..competition of cotton Read the Primary Source together

Critical Thinking Response Questions What do you think a Southern Plantation owner might say in regards to slave owning in the 19th Century? In the same respect, what do you feel an Abolitionist (Someone opposed and looking to abolish slavery) might say in response to the Southern Plantation owner’s comment?