Forging the National Economy Chapter 14 Pp. 311-318 Forging the National Economy

“Clinton’s Big Ditch” In New York Gov. DeWitt Clinton’s “Big Ditch” was the Erie Canal which linked the land block between Lake Erie and the Hudson River. This massive feat truly began the “canal era” of American history. 1) It shortened the expense and time of transportation (to one twentieth what it was before); cities grew along the canal and the price of food was reduced. 2) Farmers were unable to compete in the rocky soils of the East, so they went to the West.

The 1st Superhighway!

The Iron Horse

The 1st railroad in U.S. was introduced in 1828, and by 1860, 30,000 miles of railroad tracks had been laid in the U.S. (3/4 of these tracks were up North). Compared with canals, railroads could be built almost anywhere. The railroads were 1st opposed because financiers were afraid of losing money from Erie Canal traffic. Early trains were poorly constructed and extremely dangerous (with bad brakes and a propensity for fires. Plus, the gauge of the tracks varied, causing many inconveniences and head-on collisions.

Cables, Clippers, and Pony Riders The tea trade with the British grew and carried thousands to California as well.

Cables, Clippers, and Pony Riders The U.S. Navy had made little progress due to embargoes and the economic panics of 1819 and 1837. The 1st golden age of the American merchant marine came in the 1840s and 50s – Donald McKay built the “Yankee” clipper ships which dominated the seas for a brief time because of their speed. However, their hey-day didn’t last long because they could hold little cargo and were eventually overtaken by steamships.

Cables, Clippers, and Pony Riders In 1858, Cyrus Field laid a telegraph cable between the U.S. & Europe (though it died in 3 weeks); a better one was laid in 1866. This provided instant communication with Europe—a monumental step forward in communication. Speedy communication popped up from Missouri to California through the Pony Express (going 2,000 miles in 10 days). The Pony Express was short-lived though, lasting less than 2 years, and was replaced by the telegraph wire. Regardless, it’s time, just like the clipper is a romanticized footnote of US History.

Frederick Remington “Pony Express Rider”

The Transport Web Binds the Union The steamboat allowed reverse transport of South to West and served to bind them together. New York became the queen port of the country, replacing New Orleans, thanks to the Erie Canal. More canals led to more trade with the East from the West (the South was basically left out concerning canals).

The Transport Web Binds the Union Principle of divided labor emerged with each region specializing in its own economic activity: West grain & livestock for the eastern factory workers & Europe South  cotton to New England and for export to Europe North machines, textiles for South and West.

The Transport Web Binds the Union The Industrial Revolution transformed the home. Whereas the home was once the center of economics, now it served as a refuge from work, just as it has remained ever since then. The South thought the Mississippi River linked them to upper valley states. Unfortunately for them, they would overlook the importance of man-made links when they began to consider secession.

The Market Revolution Just as the political landscape of America changed, the economic scene did too. Essentially, business began to grow up. The era of the self-supported farm was changing to a more modern, specialty driven economy. These times widened the gap between the rich and poor.

Cities saw the greatest extremes: 1) Unskilled workers were “drifters” from town to town looking for jobs (1/2 of the industrial population). 2) Social mobility existed, though rags-to-riches stories were rare (still better than anywhere else). 3) The standard of living did rise, however, as wages rose (this helped diffuse any potential class conflict).

The final point can not be stressed enough: THE ONLY REASON OUR GOVERNMENT WORKS IS BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE. IN A DEMOCRACY, WHEN THINGS GO BAD, VOTE OUT YOUR LEADERS AND PUT NEW ONES IN THAT WILL DO YOUR BIDDING. THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT. SO. IF YOU DON’T VOTE, YOU CAN’T COMPLAIN. IF YOU DON’T LIKE HOW THINGS ARE, IT’S YOUR FAULT FOR ACCEPTING AND ALLOWING IT. YOU’LL BE 18 SOON ENOUGH………….