Unit 4- Early Industrialization and Immigration

Lowell, MA: Mill town

Early industrialization brought many different things to the USA. Factories were a key part of the country’s development, it allowed the country to move from just farming to a more industrial economy. This movement of converting to a more industrial economy allowed the north to create products from the south’s cotton boom that were once had to be imported from elsewhere and able to sell them to the south. This allowed the North to become an industrial power, especially with mills, which attracted many women workers into work life, the first shift of women in society. Many towns were built around the factories, creating a different life style to those who lived rural.

Women in Mill Factories

Mills factories were an important part in the early industrial movement. These factories are the reason why the industrial movement became so big, causing factories to be built everywhere in the New England area, and became a main place for women to work at. The textiles created a new industrial age, making clothing easier to sew with pre-made textiles, and depended on the cotton grown in the south in order to make these textiles. This new type of life of working in factories for money drew in many workers from their farms and small businesses.

The Iron Horse

The iron horse, or more commonly known now as the train, was a revolution during this time of american history. This was the first type of transportation that didn't need a horse, and was made out of iron, hence its nickname. The trains could transport people around the country and goods, benefiting humans and businesses in the country. These trains could go anywhere as long as there was railing for them, which was rapidly built in the industrial north. Often cotton from the south was brought up to the textile mills in the north with these trains. Later in history these train tracks would be a key part in a major event.

The Telegraph

The telegraph was the first invention of it’s time. Using a telegraph, people could send messages to each other in the code of taps and holdings and have the other person on the other side translate it. It was a quick forms of long distance communication. These signals were sent as an electric signal over wire lines laid between stations. Later in American history, telegraphs would be used by the government (like the trains) in a major event.

The Cotton Gin

The cotton gin is a machine that separates cotton fibers from the cotton seeds from a cotton plant. It’s an invention by Eli Whitney in the hopes to reduce the need for slaves in the south, but had the opposite effect. These machines caused plantation owners to use more slaves and want more land to grow and harvest more cotton to make linen out of. The remaining cotton went up to the north so the textile mills could make textiles out of them. The north depended on the south for the cotton, and the south delivered due to this invention.

The Spinning Jerry

The Spinning Jerry is a multi-spindle spinning frame that was a key developments during the phase of weaving in the early industrial revolution. It was invented by James Hargreaves in 1764. This machine moved the business of making textiles from home to making them in factories, a huge jump for many. The machine could weave 8 threads at once, saving time compared to hand weaving it. This improved the production and efficiency of textiles being created in the factories.

Eli Whitney

Eli Whitney is an american inventor. Some of his best known inventions were the cotton gin, developing the concept of mass production and interchangeable parts, and milling machines. His cotton gin became a major success, besides the purpose of why it was made, which was to have plantation owners have less slaves. The cotton gin removed the seeds from the cotton balls, allowing the south to become the major producer of cotton. He was born December 8th, 1765 and died on January 8th, 1825.

The Know-Nothing

The Know-Nothings is the common name for the Native American Party, was a political party. The party was primarily anti-catholic, xenophobic, and hostile to immigrants. The party was originally a secret society. The nativism in the party caused them to attack many immigrant communities in america during this time. Members were usually native born men who were Protestants who opposed immigrants from being able to vote or hold political office. The party was abolished in 1860.

Child Labor

Child labor was an important part of the early industrial movement. Many children from families that were poor went to mill factories to make money for the family as young as 4 years old. The need for labor in these factories also caused owners to turn to children as labor. These children were given jobs that were dangerous and could hurt them for long shifts for only a little amount of money, less than 10 cents. This little pay and harsh conditions led to many formations of labor unions. Child labor continued on for many years after the early industrial revolution until laws were passed to make child labor illegal.

The John Deere Plow

The John Deere Plow was a hand steel plow that could cut through the soil of the middle-west. It was invented in 1837 by John Deere. The plow allowed the broken ground to be turned into farmland. It also didn’t break in the soil, unlike wooden plows before. The steel plow could be attached to horses so they could plow the land while moving. The plow was able to till more land faster than before, allowing farmers to produce more crops in a shorter time.

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Unit 4- Early Industrialization and Immigration | Larissa Furtado