American Industrial Revolution
Pre-industrial ways of working The family labor system Work at or near home, winter work Barter system, just price, no schedule Family apprenticeships
Patriarchy in family, work, and society The Social order Only the wealthy were involved in political/civic affairs Gradual change following the Am. Revolution
The Market Revolution Brought on by improvements in transportation, commercialization, industrialization Importance of capital – invest in American business following Embargo Act and War of 1812
Putting out system – made at home, piecework, central shops British Technology – brought to America (ripe for industrialization) Slater’s Mill – “smuggled “plans, use of women, children, importance of tariffs
Pawtucket, RI
Family mills – disagreements w/ towns Lowell Mills – Francis Cabot Lowell, power loom, able to compete w/ British, development of industrial community Family mills – disagreements w/ towns The American System of Manufactures Interchangeable parts, Whitney, Springfield Rifle, clocks, sewing machines
Lowell Mills
Springfield Rifle
From Artisan to Worker Change in personal relationships Employer/employee, Wage slaves, “freedom to starve”, paternalism Mechanization and women’s work Low skill work, oversupply of workers, garment industry, long hours, low pay
Time, work, and leisure Free Labor Early strikes Separation of work and leisure, controlled by the clock, growth of leisure time activities and class distinctions Free Labor Right of laborers to move from job to job, right to strike? Early strikes Led by women, mostly unsuccessful, demand for the 10 hour day
The Rat Race
Transportation Revolution Erie Canal, steamboats, railroads
Increased govt. regulation LLC’s lead to more industrialization Shift to commercial agriculture Regional specialization Reliance on outside economic forces Improved farm technology/yield
Charles Finney Evangelical Preacher Part of Second Great Awakening Doctrine of Free Will Social Reform including temperance
Why Temperance?
Immigration and Conflict Differences between British, German, and Irish Immigrants Nativism Anti-Catholicism
Catholicism incompatible with Republicanism?