The Industrial Revolution Spreads to North America

Review Industrial Revolution began in Britain => became the world’s leading industrial power. Inventions and ideas that were developed in Britain were then taken to other parts of the world. Inventions and ideas taken to North America by new immigrants who were settling the land => began the development of American industry.

Movement of Industrial Knowledge to the United States B/se Britain wanted to keep their advantage over the rest of the world, the gov’t tried to prevent the spread of industrial technology to other countries. Main challenge?

How Could Britain Try to Prevent the Movement of Industrial Knowledge to the US? Penalties if caught smuggling plans or blueprints of the new machines out of the country. Laws to prevent immigration of skilled workers to American colonies. Laws made recruiting immigrants an offense.

Sam Slater: Traitor or Hero? b1768 When he was 15, he became an apprentice in a textile mill Hard worker, promoted to the position of overseer in the mill Learned of recruiting agents for the Americas Philadelphia newspaper reported a reward of 100 pounds for anyone who could produce replacement parts for Harbreaves’ spinning jenny. Goal: once his apprenticeship was complete (6 ½ years), he would immigrate to the Americas (seen as land of promise)

Sam Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… 1789: at 21 years of age, Slater sailed to the newly independent United States (after American War of Independence) Memorized the technical drawings of textile machines However, he needed his apprenticeship papers to prove to the Americans that he was a skilled textile worker – sewed them into the lining of his coat.

Sam Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… Disguised himself as a farmer, boarded a ship, and arrived in New York in November, 1789 Heard that Moses Brown, a Quaker from Pawtucket, Rode Island, was having trouble w/his textile machines Moses Brown – mill owner Quaker: a member of the Religious Society of Friends. The Quakers are a group of Christians who use no scripture and believe in great simplicity in daily life and in worship. Their services consist mainly of silent meditation

Sam Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… Slater offered to help Brown with a money-back guarantee: “If I do not make as good a yarn as they do in England, I will have nothing for my services.” Brown hired him Slater soon regretted his promise…why?

Sam Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… Brown introduced Slater to Orziel Wilkinson Wilkinson owned an iron foundry, worked w/his four sons Foundry was not as developed compared to British factories, but the Wilkinsons were skilled & Slater redrew all the parts from memory Wilkinsons were able to built all the parts

Sam Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… December, 1790 (13 months after Slater arrived in New York): Slater had Brown’s 72-spindle machine running properly 1793: Slater rebuilt the mill when it became inadequate to meet the demand for cloth

Sam Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… Slater developed a partnership with David Wilkinson. Son of Orziel Wilkinson 1809: 17 mills around Providence, Rhode Island, w/a capacity of 14,290 spindles. Picture of Slater’s first mill (page 16 of your textbook) What do you notice about the picture?

Sam Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… April 20, 1835: Sam Slater died a A Textile industry in the USA became the foundation for other industries. Textile industry in USA remains one of the most important industries today. … Was Sam Slater a traitor or a hero?

Water Power in New England The states of New England are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Together, they form the northeasternmost point of the United States. Water power was essential for the new textile machines. New England states fortunate b/se they had a large number of streams that would supply the needed power

Geography & Politics New England’s geography and politics helped to foster the growth of the textile industry b/se: A a

Considering an Essential Question Was the British government justified in passing laws to prevent the export of industrial technology? Agree w/British gov’t actions Disagree w/British gov’t actions