Chapter 15Chapter 15

Forging the National Forging the National EconomyEconomy

The Westward Movement The Westward Movement

► ““Europe stretches Europe stretches to the Alleghenies; to the Alleghenies; America lies America lies beyond.” – Ralph beyond.” – Ralph Waldo EmersonWaldo Emerson

► Frontier people Frontier people were were individualistic, individualistic, restless, energetic restless, energetic & ill-informed.& ill-informed.

Settlers travel westward

Courtesy, Library of Congress

The Center of The Center of Population in thePopulation in theCountry Moves Country Moves

WESTWEST

The Center of The Center of Population in thePopulation in theCountry Moves Country Moves

WESTWEST

George CatlinGeorge Catlin

► In 1832, realizing that the In 1832, realizing that the American Indians were American Indians were dying out, George Catlin dying out, George Catlin resolved to rescue their resolved to rescue their types and customs from types and customs from oblivion. With this object he oblivion. With this object he spent many years among spent many years among the Indians in North and the Indians in North and South America. He lived South America. He lived with them, acquired their with them, acquired their languages, and studied very languages, and studied very thoroughly their habits, thoroughly their habits, customs and mode of life, customs and mode of life, making copious notes and making copious notes and many studies for paintings. many studies for paintings.

Smithsonian American Art Museum

The March of the Millions The March of the Millions

► 18601860 33 states in the Union33 states in the Union U.S. the 4U.S. the 4thth most populist nation in the western most populist nation in the western

worldworld Many big citiesMany big cities

► As cities grew the biggest problem was As cities grew the biggest problem was sanitation caused by sewer problemssanitation caused by sewer problems

► High birthrate had accounted for most of the High birthrate had accounted for most of the population growth, but in the 1850s, millions population growth, but in the 1850s, millions of Irish, Germans immigrated to the U.S.of Irish, Germans immigrated to the U.S.

Immigration to the U.S.Immigration to the U.S.

Sources: US Census Bureau; Statistical Yearbook, Immigration and Naturalization

Service

Irish ImmigrationIrish Immigration

► In Ireland during the 1840s millions died because of In Ireland during the 1840s millions died because of a disease in the potato crop.a disease in the potato crop.

► Tens of thousands of Irish flocked to the U.S. in Tens of thousands of Irish flocked to the U.S. in search of a better life.search of a better life.

► Most settled in the cities because they were too Most settled in the cities because they were too poor to travel to the frontier.poor to travel to the frontier.

► Most lived in slums, were discriminated against, Most lived in slums, were discriminated against, and had the toughest jobs.and had the toughest jobs.

► NINA – No Irish Need Apply.NINA – No Irish Need Apply. Irish were hated by other workers and caused resentment Irish were hated by other workers and caused resentment

because they drove down wages.because they drove down wages.► Irish became a powerful political force in places like Irish became a powerful political force in places like

New York and BostonNew York and Boston

Potato FaminePotato Famine

► A famine in Ireland in A famine in Ireland in the nineteenth the nineteenth century caused by century caused by the failure of the failure of successive potato successive potato crops in the 1840s. crops in the 1840s. Many in Ireland Many in Ireland starved, and many starved, and many emigrated. More than emigrated. More than a million Irish came a million Irish came to the United States to the United States during the famine. during the famine.

A potato infected with the fungus phytophtera

infestans

Irish ImmigrationIrish Immigration

Irish immigrants arriving in the United States in 1902.

 

German ImmigrationGerman Immigration

► Germans came to the U.S. because of crop Germans came to the U.S. because of crop failures, political unrest and wars.failures, political unrest and wars.

► Political liberals like Carl Schurz helped Political liberals like Carl Schurz helped elevate American political life.elevate American political life.

► Generally came to the U.S. with more Generally came to the U.S. with more money than most immigrants, therefore money than most immigrants, therefore they oftentimes moved west.they oftentimes moved west.

► German contributions:German contributions: Conestoga wagon, the Kentucky rifle, the Conestoga wagon, the Kentucky rifle, the

Christmas tree, and KindergartenChristmas tree, and Kindergarten

German Immigrants in North German Immigrants in North DakotaDakota

Between 1890 and 1910 North Dakota’s population more than doubled in part due to immigrants from abroad and in part due to settlers from the east eager for their own piece of land. These turn-of-the-century settlers often lived in sod houses like the one pictured here.

North Dakota State Hist. Society

German ImmigrationGerman Immigration

Rise of the Know-Nothing Rise of the Know-Nothing PartyParty

► The influx of immigrants in The influx of immigrants in the wake of Ireland’s potato the wake of Ireland’s potato famine in the 1840s sparked famine in the 1840s sparked the nativist political the nativist political movement of the American movement of the American Party. Also known as the Party. Also known as the “Know-Nothing Party” for its “Know-Nothing Party” for its staunch denial of staunch denial of participating in anti-participating in anti-immigrant activities and immigrant activities and secret societies, the party secret societies, the party sought to limit immigration sought to limit immigration and require that all elected and require that all elected officials be native-born officials be native-born Americans.Americans.

Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution► Change from handmade to machine made goods.Change from handmade to machine made goods.► Industrial Revolution came to the U.S. late because of Industrial Revolution came to the U.S. late because of

the following reasons:the following reasons: Land was cheap therefore most did not need to find factory Land was cheap therefore most did not need to find factory

workwork Labor was scareLabor was scare Money for capital investment was not plentifulMoney for capital investment was not plentiful Raw materials were not discoveredRaw materials were not discovered Few consumersFew consumers Reliance on British factoriesReliance on British factories Know-how – British were top secret about construction of Know-how – British were top secret about construction of

factoriesfactories U.S. was a land of farmersU.S. was a land of farmers

► Industrial Revolution hit America in the mid 1800s Industrial Revolution hit America in the mid 1800s because of the Embargo Act, the British blockade and because of the Embargo Act, the British blockade and the War of 1812the War of 1812

Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution

Samuel SlaterSamuel Slater“Father of the Industrial “Father of the Industrial

Revolution”Revolution”► Britain naturally wanted to maintain its monopoly Britain naturally wanted to maintain its monopoly

on textile production and prohibited the exportation on textile production and prohibited the exportation of machinery and the emigration of mechanics or of machinery and the emigration of mechanics or engineers with knowledge of those machines. engineers with knowledge of those machines.

► Slater recognized that his information had great Slater recognized that his information had great value and left England in disguise for New York City value and left England in disguise for New York City in 1789. He later met Moses Brown, a prominent in 1789. He later met Moses Brown, a prominent Quaker merchant in Rhode Island. With Brown Quaker merchant in Rhode Island. With Brown providing the capital and Slater the carefully providing the capital and Slater the carefully memorized specifications for the equipment, the memorized specifications for the equipment, the two opened a small mechanized mill in Providence two opened a small mechanized mill in Providence in 1790. in 1790.

Samuel SlaterSamuel Slater

Old Slater Mill, Pawtucket, RI (1793), Samuel Slater

Eli WhitneyEli Whitney► Eli Whitney was the Eli Whitney was the

inventor of the cotton inventor of the cotton gin and a pioneer in the gin and a pioneer in the mass production of mass production of cotton. cotton.

► Eli Whitney's invention Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin of the cotton gin revolutionized the revolutionized the cotton industry in the cotton industry in the United States. Prior to United States. Prior to his invention, farming his invention, farming cotton required cotton required hundreds of man-hours hundreds of man-hours to separate the to separate the cottonseed from the raw cottonseed from the raw cotton fibers. cotton fibers.

National Museum of American History Behring Center: An original model of an Eli Whitney cotton gin (c. early 1800s) is on display in Communities in a Changing Nation: The Promise of 19th-Century America.

Cotton GinCotton Gin

Eli Whitney’s Eli Whitney’s Mass Produced Interchangeable Mass Produced Interchangeable

Parts.Parts.► Eli Whitney made one Eli Whitney made one

more important more important innovation. He invented innovation. He invented interchangeable partsinterchangeable parts..

► The process involved The process involved standardization of parts standardization of parts of a machine so that of a machine so that they could easily be they could easily be replaced. replaced.

► Whitney's innovation Whitney's innovation allowed him to win a allowed him to win a contract for the contract for the production of muskets. It production of muskets. It was the first step in the was the first step in the era of mass productionera of mass production

 Lock parts for 1842 musket [SmithM1985, p 85]. Drawing by Steve Foutz

New England FactoriesNew England Factories

► Poor soil, fast Poor soil, fast moving rivers, an moving rivers, an abundance of labor, abundance of labor, and deep harbors and deep harbors made New England made New England an ideal place for an ideal place for factories during the factories during the Industrial Industrial Revolution. Revolution.

Sewing MachineSewing Machine

► In 1846, Elias Howe of In 1846, Elias Howe of Spencer, Massachusetts, Spencer, Massachusetts, received a patent for his received a patent for his hand-cranked sewing hand-cranked sewing machine. Isaac Singer machine. Isaac Singer patented one five years patented one five years later. Howe sued Singer later. Howe sued Singer for infringement and for infringement and won...but by that time won...but by that time Singer was well ahead in Singer was well ahead in the sewing machine the sewing machine business. business.

Samuel F. B. MorseSamuel F. B. Morse

►Morse refined (1838) and patented Morse refined (1838) and patented (1854) the telegraph and developed the (1854) the telegraph and developed the telegraphic code that bears his name.telegraphic code that bears his name.

► In 1844 Morse demonstrated to Congress In 1844 Morse demonstrated to Congress the practicability of his instrument by the practicability of his instrument by transmitting the famous message “What transmitting the famous message “What hath God wrought” over a wire from hath God wrought” over a wire from Washington to Baltimore. Washington to Baltimore.

Morse’s TelegraphMorse’s Telegraph

► this signaling device was this signaling device was quite simple. It consisted quite simple. It consisted of a transmitter of a transmitter (containing a battery and (containing a battery and a key), a small buzzer as a a key), a small buzzer as a receiver and a pair of receiver and a pair of wires connecting the two. wires connecting the two. Samuel Morse improved it Samuel Morse improved it by adding a second switch by adding a second switch and a second buzzer to and a second buzzer to enable transmission in the enable transmission in the opposite direction as well. opposite direction as well.

Creation of CorporationsCreation of Corporations

►The Boston AssociatesThe Boston Associates was one of was one of the earliest investment capital the earliest investment capital companies in America. It was founded companies in America. It was founded by fifteen families in Boston, by fifteen families in Boston, Massachusetts. Over time, they came Massachusetts. Over time, they came to dominate the textile, railroad, to dominate the textile, railroad, insurance and banking business of insurance and banking business of Massachusetts.Massachusetts.

►Provided limited liabilityProvided limited liability

Workers and “Wage Slaves” Workers and “Wage Slaves”

►Factory system created “wage slaves”Factory system created “wage slaves”►Wages were low, hours were long, meals Wages were low, hours were long, meals

were skimpy, conditions were dangerous were skimpy, conditions were dangerous and unionization was next to impossible.and unionization was next to impossible.

►Child labor commonChild labor common►Factory owners held all the power.Factory owners held all the power.►President Martin Van Buren established President Martin Van Buren established

the ten-hour day for federal employeesthe ten-hour day for federal employees

Featuring the original photo captions by Lewis W. Hine.

Commonwealth v. HuntCommonwealth v. Hunt

► In In CommonwealthCommonwealth v. v. HuntHunt (1842) the (1842) the Massachusetts Supreme Court Massachusetts Supreme Court provided an important precedent in provided an important precedent in labor relations by arguing that labor relations by arguing that members of labor unions were not members of labor unions were not engaging in criminal conspiracies engaging in criminal conspiracies against their employers. against their employers.

Women and the EconomyWomen and the Economy

► Many factories preferred to hire women because Many factories preferred to hire women because they could pay them less.they could pay them less.

► Overall though, factory jobs were usual for Overall though, factory jobs were usual for women.women.

► The vast majority of working women were single.The vast majority of working women were single.► In the home women were enshrined in a “cult of In the home women were enshrined in a “cult of

domesticity,” a widespread cultural creed that domesticity,” a widespread cultural creed that glorified the customary functions of the glorified the customary functions of the homemaker.homemaker.

► Arranged marriage died down; marriage because Arranged marriage died down; marriage because of love made family closer.of love made family closer.

► Families grew smaller and more child-centeredFamilies grew smaller and more child-centered

Lowell FactoryLowell Factory► Named after Francis Cabot Named after Francis Cabot

Lowell, was a paternalistic Lowell, was a paternalistic textile factory system of the textile factory system of the early 19th century that relied early 19th century that relied almost exclusively on young, almost exclusively on young, unmarried women laborers unmarried women laborers and purported to increase and purported to increase efficiency, productivity and efficiency, productivity and profits in ways different from profits in ways different from other methods. Emphasis other methods. Emphasis was placed on mechanization was placed on mechanization and standardization; the and standardization; the entire textile industry used entire textile industry used this as a model, and this as a model, and machines using this system machines using this system were sold to other mills. were sold to other mills.

Inventions That Helped Inventions That Helped FarmersFarmers

► Steel Plow – John Steel Plow – John Deere in 1837Deere in 1837

► McCormick Reaper – McCormick Reaper – Cyrus McCormick in Cyrus McCormick in 1830s1830s

Transportation RevolutionTransportation Revolution► Industrial Revolution + Transportation Revolution = Continental Industrial Revolution + Transportation Revolution = Continental

EconomyEconomy

1.1. RoadsRoads

2.2. SteamboatsSteamboats

3.3. CanalsCanals

4.4. RailroadsRailroads

RoadsRoads

►1790s the Lancaster turnpike was 1790s the Lancaster turnpike was completed.completed. 62 mile highway that connected 62 mile highway that connected

Philadelphia to LancasterPhiladelphia to Lancaster Travels paid a toll - TurnpikeTravels paid a toll - Turnpike

►1811 completion of the National Road1811 completion of the National Road 591 miles from Cumberland, Maryland to 591 miles from Cumberland, Maryland to

Vandalia, Illinois. Vandalia, Illinois.

Lancaster TurnpikeLancaster Turnpike

1795 - The Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike Road

Carl Rakeman

National RoadNational Road

SteamboatsSteamboats

► Started by Robert Started by Robert Fulton who installed Fulton who installed a powerful steam a powerful steam engine in a vessel engine in a vessel that came to be that came to be known as the known as the ClermontClermont..

► Allowed for two-way Allowed for two-way travel on riverstravel on rivers

CanalsCanals

► Erie CanalErie Canal Built with New York state money with no help from the Built with New York state money with no help from the

federal governmentfederal government New York Governor Dewitt Clinton provided the leadership.New York Governor Dewitt Clinton provided the leadership. ““Clinton’s Big Ditch”Clinton’s Big Ditch” From Buffalo on Lake Erie to the Hudson River and on to From Buffalo on Lake Erie to the Hudson River and on to

New York HarborNew York Harbor Profitablility of farming in the Old Northwest increasedProfitablility of farming in the Old Northwest increased Great Lakes cities like Buffalo, Cleveland and Toledo Great Lakes cities like Buffalo, Cleveland and Toledo

prosperedprospered Immigrants rushed to the Old Northwest statesImmigrants rushed to the Old Northwest states Competition for New England farmersCompetition for New England farmers Less traffic on the Mississippi RiverLess traffic on the Mississippi River

Erie Canal Erie Canal

Historic waterway, northern U.S. It stretches from Buffalo, N.Y., on Lake Erie to Albany, N.Y., on the Hudson River. Commissioned by Gov. DeWitt Clinton of New York, it opened in 1825. It connected the Great Lakes with New York City and contributed greatly to the settlement of the Midwest, allowing for the transport of people and supplies. Enlarged several times, the canal is 340 mi (547 km) long, 150 ft (46 m) wide, and 12 ft (4 m) deep. Now used mainly for pleasure boating, it is part of the New York State Canal System.

1825 Erie Canal1825 Erie Canal

Erie Canal in 1890Erie Canal in 1890

RailroadsRailroads

► Fast, reliable, Fast, reliable, cheaper than cheaper than canals, and not canals, and not frozen over in the frozen over in the winterwinter

► First railroad First railroad appeared in the U.S. appeared in the U.S. in 1828in 1828

Stourbridge Lion

"The Delaware & Hudson" (D&H collection)

Continental EconomyContinental Economy

►South – Produced cottonSouth – Produced cotton►West – Produced grain and livestockWest – Produced grain and livestock►East – Produced manufactured goods, East – Produced manufactured goods,

machines and textilesmachines and textiles►Roads, steamboats, canals and Roads, steamboats, canals and

railroads allowed for transportation of railroads allowed for transportation of goods throughout the country.goods throughout the country.

►Widened gap between rich and poorWidened gap between rich and poor

Transatlantic CableTransatlantic Cable► On midnight, 28 July, 1858 H.M.S. On midnight, 28 July, 1858 H.M.S.

AgamemnonAgamemnonand U.S.N.S. and U.S.N.S. Niagara, Niagara, each loaded with a suitable length each loaded with a suitable length of cable, met in mid-ocean, and of cable, met in mid-ocean, and proceeded to pay out the spliced proceeded to pay out the spliced cable in opposite directions towards cable in opposite directions towards their respective home ports. . their respective home ports. .

►     On 5 August, a total of 3240 km On 5 August, a total of 3240 km had been laid, the had been laid, the Agamemnon Agamemnon now anchored in Dowlas Bay, now anchored in Dowlas Bay, Valentia, Ireland and the Valentia, Ireland and the NiagaraNiagara anchored in Trinity Bay, anchored in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland.  At 2.45 a.m. of that Newfoundland.  At 2.45 a.m. of that day the first telegraphic message day the first telegraphic message passed across the Atlantic Ocean.  passed across the Atlantic Ocean.  It merely announced to the It merely announced to the Niagara Niagara thatthat the the AgamemnonAgamemnon had landed had landed the cable."  the cable." 

► (From (From Semaphore to Satellite, Semaphore to Satellite, Published by the International Published by the International Telecommunication Union, Geneva Telecommunication Union, Geneva 1965) 1965)

Transatlantic CableTransatlantic Cable

The H.M.S. Agamemnon Laying Cable (1858)

Pony ExpressPony Express

► Established in 1860 Established in 1860 to carry mail to carry mail speedily from St. speedily from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, Sacramento, California.California.