Forging the National Economy Chapter 14

The Westward Movement Pioneer life – ill fed, ill clad, houses were shanties, disease, loneliness and isolationPioneer life – ill fed, ill clad, houses were shanties, disease, loneliness and isolation Farming tobacco exhausted the landFarming tobacco exhausted the land Farmers were constantly in search of virgin land to grow tobaccoFarmers were constantly in search of virgin land to grow tobacco Trappers traded hides of beaver and buffalo with NativesTrappers traded hides of beaver and buffalo with Natives

The March of Millions 1860 – 33 states in the Union1860 – 33 states in the Union The population was doubling every 25 yearsThe population was doubling every 25 years 43 cities boasted populations over 25,000 – New York, New Orleans and Chicago43 cities boasted populations over 25,000 – New York, New Orleans and Chicago Rapid population growth led to smelly slums, feeble street lighting, inadequate policing, impure water, foul sewage, rats and improper garbage disposalRapid population growth led to smelly slums, feeble street lighting, inadequate policing, impure water, foul sewage, rats and improper garbage disposal

Immigration In the 1840s the number of immigrants from Ireland and Germany tripled.In the 1840s the number of immigrants from Ireland and Germany tripled. Reasons – Europe was running out of room (lack of available land), Irish Potato Famine, and crop failuresReasons – Europe was running out of room (lack of available land), Irish Potato Famine, and crop failures Influx of immigrants led to nativism - fear that foreigners would outbreed, outvote, and overwhelm the old native stockInflux of immigrants led to nativism - fear that foreigners would outbreed, outvote, and overwhelm the old native stock

Industrial Revolution 1750s – The British perfected a series of machines for the mass production of textiles1750s – The British perfected a series of machines for the mass production of textiles Industrial Revolution was the modern factory systemIndustrial Revolution was the modern factory system Samuel Slater “Father of the Modern Factory System” in America memorized the plans for the machinery and came to AmericaSamuel Slater “Father of the Modern Factory System” in America memorized the plans for the machinery and came to America

Notable Inventions of the Nineteenth Century Eli Whitney inventor of the cotton gin and interchangeable partsEli Whitney inventor of the cotton gin and interchangeable parts Sewing Machine invented by Elias Howe perfected by Isaac SingerSewing Machine invented by Elias Howe perfected by Isaac Singer Samuel F.B. Morse – telegraphSamuel F.B. Morse – telegraph

Factories Exploit Workers Factory workers had long hours, low wages and child laborFactory workers had long hours, low wages and child labor 1840 – Martin Van Buren established the 10 hour day1840 – Martin Van Buren established the 10 hour day 1830s and 1840s dozens of strikes led to owners hiring strikebreakers, scabs or hiring immigrants1830s and 1840s dozens of strikes led to owners hiring strikebreakers, scabs or hiring immigrants One victory for unions was Commonwealth vs. Hunt ruled that labor unions were not illegal conspiraciesOne victory for unions was Commonwealth vs. Hunt ruled that labor unions were not illegal conspiracies

Women and the Economy Young women often were employed by factoriesYoung women often were employed by factories Allowed women greater independenceAllowed women greater independence Lowell Mills hired young New England women; girls lived in a boarding house at the factory siteLowell Mills hired young New England women; girls lived in a boarding house at the factory site Most working women were singleMost working women were single Upon marriage they left the work force and worked in the home aka “cult of domesticity”Upon marriage they left the work force and worked in the home aka “cult of domesticity” Families got smaller – women having fewer children or domestic feminismFamilies got smaller – women having fewer children or domestic feminism

The West West became the bread basketWest became the bread basket Western farms produced food for southerners growing cotton and eastern factory workersWestern farms produced food for southerners growing cotton and eastern factory workers Inventions that made farming out west easierInventions that made farming out west easier John Deere 1837 invents the steel plowJohn Deere 1837 invents the steel plow Cyrus McCormick invents the mechanical mower reaper in the 1830sCyrus McCormick invents the mechanical mower reaper in the 1830s

Transportation improves… 1790s The Lancaster Turnpike in Pennsylvania sparked a 20 year building frenzy1790s The Lancaster Turnpike in Pennsylvania sparked a 20 year building frenzy 1811 Cumberland Road began construction (completed in 1858)1811 Cumberland Road began construction (completed in 1858) Robert Fulton invents the first steamboat, the Clermont made it up the Hudson from NYC to Albany (150 miles) in 32 hoursRobert Fulton invents the first steamboat, the Clermont made it up the Hudson from NYC to Albany (150 miles) in 32 hours 1 st railroad was invented in 1828, by 1860 the US boasted 30,000 miles of track1 st railroad was invented in 1828, by 1860 the US boasted 30,000 miles of track

Transportation 1858 the first cable was laid under the Atlantic connecting the US to Europe1858 the first cable was laid under the Atlantic connecting the US to Europe The invention of the clipper ship in the 1840s allow cargo to be delivered in record timeThe invention of the clipper ship in the 1840s allow cargo to be delivered in record time 1860 – the Pony Express was designed to carry mail1860 – the Pony Express was designed to carry mail

Market Revolution The market revolution transformed a subsistence economy into a national network of industry and commerceThe market revolution transformed a subsistence economy into a national network of industry and commerce