The 1st Industrial Revolution Unit 2.1: The 1st Industrial Revolution

The Market Revolution Innovations like the Erie Canal opened up new ways to move goods from one place to another. These changes contributed to massive economic change known as the market revolution. People increasingly bought and sold goods rather than making them. Buying & selling multiplied while incomes rose. Free Enterprise grew, which is the freedom of businesses to be competitive for profit without government influence.

Inventions and Improvements: Inventors began developing goods to make life more comfortable. Some made life more enjoyable, while others fueled the economic revolution and transformed manufacturing, transportation, and communication. Samuel F. B. Morse, a New England artist, patented the telegraph, which could send messages in code over a wire in a matter of seconds. Business used it to send orders, railroads used it to keep railroads on time, and it spread across the nation.

Inventions and Improvements: Other inventions improved movement of goods and people. In 1807, Robert Fulton started the steamboat era when his boat, the Clermont, made the 150 mile trip up the Hudson River from NYC to Albany in 32 hours. In 25 years, steamboats were numerous in rivers across the country. Steamboats cut costs for customers as well as voyage times. Canals and Railroads also helped make travel faster and easier.

Changing workplaces: This new market economy also changed how people worked. People started working in factories, and even unskilled workers could perform tasks that used to take artistry and skill. In the 1820’s, a group of entrepreneurs built the Lowell textile mills in Massachusetts. Thousands of women left family farms to work there. Women were an easy labor force because they would be paid less. Before long, conditions worsened. The hours were long, 12 hours usually. In addition, the mills were often dark, hot, and cramped. The owners showed little sympathy for their workers.

Workers seek better conditions: When the Lowell mills announced a 15% wage cut, the girls organized a strike. They refused to work unless their demands were met. The press and the clergy criticized them, so they returned to work for lower pay. The owners fired the strike leader. Strikes in this time were often, but most were unsuccessful because the owners could just let them go and hire more people. This led to the creation of unions to give strikes more power.