Mr. Dowling
Industry in the North
To what extent did new inventions faster transportation contribute to the growth of the northern economy?
New Inventions
Sewing machine-Elias Howe (improved by Isaac Singer)
Steel plow-John Deere-pulled by horses
Reaper-Cyrus McCormick-mowed wheat and other grains
Telegraph-Samuel Morse (1844)-allowed information to be relayed immediately over hundreds or thousands of miles
Railroads
Railroads were orginally used to transport goods to canals.
Early locomotives were dangerous-rails were not always safe
Instead of two tracks being built, only one was built, increasing the possibility of a collision.
1850s Railroad Boom-Farmers and merchants could transport their goods quicker and cheapet
Cities grew along rail routes (Chicago/Cincinnati)
Factories
Long hours for less money
No safety devices
Child labor
Workers Unite
Workers formed trade unions in order to fight for better working conditions. Unions sometimes make their demands by going on strike. (Strikes were illegal at the time.
