Ch.10 America’s Economic Revolution

Change in American Population & Immigration Increase in Population Increase in Immigration Huge increase in population from 1820-1840. 1790: 4million – 1840: 17 million Reasons for growth : Improved public health Higher birth rate Huge increase in immigration Reasons for growth: Strong Agriculture economy Germans and Irish come -Irish: Potato famine -Germans: Economic dislocations

Rise of Nativism Natives = Born in America For Immigrants Against Immigrants Hostile toward foreign-born Considered immigrants inferior Especially disliked Catholic Irish Created the Native American Party- to fight immigration Wanted to use immigrants as cheap labor Used for votes

Nativism cont… Started other groups such as the Supreme Order of the Star Spangled Banner List of Demands -Catholics & foreign-born couldn’t hold office -Naturalization laws -Literacy tests for voting “Know-Nothings”- Members names

Transportation Canals (Erie Canal) Steamboats Railroads (consolidation spurred on the railroads)

Communication Telegraph- Samuel Morse -Communication quickened Rotary Press- Richard Hoe -Print faster Significance: Communication and newspapers grow. North becomes more divided from the South.

Beginnings of a capitalist economy Commerce & Industry Beginnings of a capitalist economy Corporations- Large business -Less liability in investment for corporations. Factories- Improved technology & more demand -Use machines -Industry prominent in the Northeast (New England)

Technology Advances Machine technology advances happen faster in US than the rest of the world. Britain and Europe start copying the US Changes in technology -Make better machines -Interchangeable parts -Coal instead of wood = better energy -Patents -Less Merchants

Improved technology leads to less need for farmers. Men and Women at Work 90% of American people in 1820’s still lived and worked on farms Improved technology leads to less need for farmers. New labor force used in factories. Labor conditions decent in early American factories

Factories Lowell System -Women worked in safe, clean factories that provided housing. Conditions decline as production becomes more important Start hiring immigrants- Cheapest labor Amount of skilled workers decrease Unions develop to protect skilled workers

Unions Commonwealth v. Hunt -Declared unions were lawful and strikes were legitimate. Female Protective Unions- Help women with working conditions. *Unions relatively ineffective*

Industrial Society Increased wealth inequality (Rich & Poor) Urban poor increase African Americans extremely poor Social Mobility- Enough to keep people from rebelling Middle-Class- Expanding -Leads to more household inventions and improved convenience in life.

Changing Family Children and Women have less of a role -No longer needed on the farm. *Men work, women stay home* -Falling birth rate -Increased abortions -Less education for women

Cult of Domesticity Women were suppose to behave a certain way Piety, Purity, Submission, & Domesticity Their role was the household.

Leisure Rare to have any leisure time Sundays main free day *Minstrel Shows*

Agricultural North Northeast- Decline in Ag Northwest- Increase in Ag, better soil Increase in growing single crops Northwest and Northeast work together Better Ag techniques and tools Religion Strong in farm areas