Chapter 8 Section 2 The Northern Section

Two regions Populous northeast- New England, New York, New Jersey, & Pennsylvania Old Northwest- Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, & Minnesota

Farming in the Old Northwest Ideal growing ground for corn, wheat, & other grains New innovations John Deere’s steel plow could cut through the heavy soil

Cyrus McCormick’s mechanical reaper made harvesting grains less labor intensive & more profitable Farmers had to use the grains quickly or they would spoil Fed to animals that produced other things

Many specialized businesses arose to handle the processing, transport, & selling of farm products Slaughterhouses, distilleries, shipping companies, & banks Fueled the growth of cities

Industries of the Northeast Most people still lived in rural areas More started working in urban factories More growth of industry than farming

Coal in PA Top producer in ships, iron, lumber, leather, textiles, & glass Massachusetts Carpet, bricks, & shoes

Lowell hired young, unmarried women to run their spinning & weaving machines Owners promised them a moral environment & stable income

Made about $3.25 for a 72 hour week in 1830’s Deduct $1.25 for room & board Women were willing to work for ½ the price of men Replaced by Irish in 1840’s

Many people moved looking for work The Growth of Cities Many people moved looking for work Urban life differed greatly from the colonial times Workers spent more time away from the household

Families often had no support in times of need Filled by hospitals & schools Growing number of urban poor people lived in areas with cheap run down housing Known as tenements

Cities couldn’t handle the rapid population increase Many lacked sewage systems & reliable sources of fresh water These urban areas acquired wealth & political influence gained from being creators of industry

Labor Disputes in Factories Early industries aimed to make a profit at the expense of workers Paid little & didn’t provide a healthy working environment Workers go on strike

Complained about long hours & low wages Occurred as early as the 1700’s- sailors & dockworkers 1834-1836 150 strikes took place

300,000 people joined union by 1830’s Soon died out The First Labor Unions National Trades Union 1834 300,000 people joined union by 1830’s Soon died out Factory owners obtained court rulings that outlawed labor organizations