Mill Systems Slater vs. Lowell

Samuel Slater Explain how he brought the English textile design over to America. Memorized it due to British law preventing the design from leaving Where did he take his design and implement it? New England, where manufacturing was more important

Slater System Also known as Rhode Island system Problem with retaining jobs Began hiring entire families in need of work Low cost (children got paid significantly less) More workers Built housing for workers (attractive to urban travelers) Company stores for workers Cheaper for Slater, as he could invest more money into business Over time, this system created whole functioning towns

Francis Cabot Lowell Lowell system Mills powered by water – increased efficiency Employed young, unmarried women Created boardinghouses for them to live in Paid $2-4 a week of which they paid $1.25 for board Still more than other jobs available to them Chance to work in city vs farm was very appealing 12-14 hour days and strict control DAILY SCHEDULE 4:30AM – First bell 5:30AM – Second bell 6:30AM – Third Bell 12:00AM – lunch 12:35AM – lunch end 6:30PM – End work

Labor Reform Factory made vs. hand made Causes stress for small businesses Massive decrease in wages, but increased workforce Fear of losing jobs and poor wages… Skilled workers formed trade unions “Groups that tried to improve pay and working conditions” Many factories did not want to hire them, however… Why not?

Labor Reform Strikes 1840s labor reform Lets do math… Refusal to work until employers met their demands Sometimes worked, most of the time it did not 1840s labor reform Labor union leaders and President Martin van Buren formed 10-hour workweek for federal workers Some states followed afterwards Lets do math…