Sectionalism & National Growth Industrialization of the Northeast Factory system expanded quickly after Embargo Act and War of 1812 cut off competition from England. Factors assisting expansion: Water power from streams and rivers Capital accumulated by merchants and shipbuilders Plentiful labor supply Poor agricultural conditions Lowell (or Waltham) system brought girls to factories for a few years.

Sectionalism & National Growth Industrial Beginnings Great Britain was ahead of the US in industrialization Britain banned emigration of skilled mechanics Samuel Slater, (pretending to be farm laborer) came to US in 1789 Helped design and build first cotton mill in US at Pawtucket, RI in 1790. Used Slater’s adaptation of spinning frame invented by Englishman Richard Arkwright. Industrialization grew quickly – textiles & shoes

Sectionalism & National Growth Industrial Beginnings Regions Industrialized at different rates New England where soil made agriculture profits unlikely, industrialization occurred quickly South where agriculture was mainstay of economy, industrialization almost did not exist.

Sectionalism & National Growth Industrial Beginnings Industrialization was a gradual process consisting of many components: Subdivision of tasks Gathering of workers in large factories (not always) High speed machines replaced skilled handwork Industrialization changed lives. Farmers moved to cities – no longer working outside at their own pace Regulated by clocks and bells instead of tasks and the sun

Sectionalism & National Growth Industrial Beginnings Changed lives outside of factory also Cheaper products available Undermined skill of artisans Encouraged specialization

Sectionalism & National Growth Causes of Industrialization Embargo Act of 1808 Era of Good Feelings saw agreement that US needed tariffs Once protected NE rose from 4 million yards in 1817 to 323 million yards by 1840. US had river advantage Transportation Revolution brought manufacturers closer to markets in South and West

Sectionalism & National Growth Causes of Industrialization GB ahead in developing technology relevant to industrialization GB had larger population and less land (people would work for less) US had higher wages for unskilled labor – spurred research for labor saving technology Americans copied GB designs Francis Cabot Lowell went to GB and made drawings, 1811 NO Guilds (craft organizations) to limit a workers research

Sectionalism & National Growth Causes of Industrialization Eli Whitney in 1798 (after cotton gin) won government contract to produce ten thousand muskets by 1800. Interchangeable parts He missed his deadline but his idea caught on.

Sectionalism & National Growth Textile Towns in New England New England first industrial region Trade wars prior to War of 1812 had devastated its commercial economy and persuaded its wealthy merchants to invest in manufacturing Westward migration of many of New England’s young men left surplus of young women for cheap labor source

Sectionalism & National Growth Textile Towns in New England Cotton Textiles 1813 Boston Associates (Francis Cabot Lowell) incorporated Boston Manufacturing Company. 10 x the capital of any previous American cotton mill Quickly built mills in Waltham and Lowell By 1836 controlled eight companies – more than six thousand workers