Chapter 7 Invention and Innovation Section 2

Learning Targets I can describe the spirit of improvement in American society during the early 1800s, including women’s role in promoting virtue. I can show how the Industrial Revolution affected the nation’s economy through inventions such as the cotton gin. I can provide example of the advances that produced “revolutions” in transporting and communication.

The Spirit of Improvement One way to improve life was through education Mercy Otis Warren- wrote History of the American Revolution, which encouraged women to take up scholarly interests but to balance them with their domestic duties Benjamin Rush- Doctor and scientist. Rush suggested mental illness was often a result of physical disease instead of the devil Charles Wilson Peale- Created the 1st museum. Housed art and science, which was thought as luxury

Education Noah Webster- wanted better education for all, not just the prosperous (rich) Webster went on to create the first major dictionary in the United States. He also created The American Spelling Book. State constitutions required free education for all but that was hardly the case as many students went to academies/private schools Schools had to teach Republican Virtues- things needed to govern yourself including, sacrificing individual needs for the good of the community, self-reliance, industry and frugality

The Role of Women The idea of showing the standard of republican virtues was then passed on to women. Women would have an influence on the men who would rule, and vote in our nation. To learn these virtues women would need to be allowed to attend school Many schools created “female departments” for girls to attend

Industrial Revolution Industrial Revolution- Increasing production by using machines powered by sources other than humans or animals. Several British inventions sparked this idea to help the textile or cloth-weaving industry James Watt created the steam engine. It used the force from steam to create energy. This invention was kept secret by the British. Anyone who knew about the design was not allowed to emigrate, or move from the country.

The Industrial Revolution Samuel Slater- Slater emigrated to the US from GB and replicated the steam engine. By the time he died he was worth a million $. The steam engine spread quickly in the New England region of the US Robert Fulton- Credited with creating the steam boat – it used a steam engine to power the boat. It could travel against the current

Eli Whitney Eli Whitney- Gun maker who credited with the idea of Interchangeable Parts (all parts are made to an exact standard) During the late 1700’s-early 1800’s all parts were individually made Whitney also created the cotton gin (a machine that separated seeds from cotton) In 1 day a person could clean 1,000 lbs of cotton with the gin and only 1 lb without it

Cotton Gin Effects Profit per lb of cotton skyrocketed and the amount planted rose It became the staple (main) crop for many southern planters Planters looked for new land to grow cotton and settled in AL, MS, LA and TX Slavery rose in the south to keep up with the large amounts of cotton being grown

Transportation Revolution Canals or artificial (man made) waterways were created to help with trade and transportation The most famous canal was the Erie Canal which connected New York to Lake Erie Roads were created to help with travel. They were built by private individuals who would charge a toll, or a fee, to use the road. An attendant would wait, collect the toll and then turn a pike, or a bar, that blocked the road- these roads were called turnpikes The Cumberland Road (national built road using gravel and stone from Maryland to Ohio) was built by the government Railroads were more durable and efficient.

Communication Post Offices went from 75 in 1790 to 8,450 in 1830. This made it easier to communicate with people in distant places This also helped create a network of information by delivering newspapers, books and magazines.