8th grade Industrial Revolution

What was the Industrial Revolution?

A period beginning in the late 1700s and early 1800s when the manufacture of goods shifted from hand tools to power-driven machines and factories.

Who was Eli Whitney and what were his major contributions?

An inventor who introduced interchangeable parts and the cotton gin, which transformed the economy of both the North and the South.

What was the purpose and impact of the cotton gin?

A machine that removed seeds from cotton fibers, significantly increasing cotton production and the reliance on enslaved labor in the South.

What are interchangeable parts and why were they important?

Standardized parts that can be used in place of one another, making it easier to assemble and repair products through mass production.

What is urbanization and why did it occur during the Industrial Revolution?

The process of population shifting from rural areas to cities, driven by the growth of factory jobs.

Who was Samuel Slater and why is he called the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution"?

He built the first successful water-powered textile mill in the U.S. after memorizing British designs and bringing them to America.

What were the Lowell Mills and whom did they primarily employ?

Textile mills in Massachusetts that employed young women (Lowell Girls), providing them with wages and housing, which was a significant change in the labor force.

Who invented the steamboat and how did it change transportation?

Invented by Robert Fulton, it used a steam engine to travel against river currents, making the transport of goods faster and cheaper.

What was the Erie Canal and what was its economic impact?

A significant engineering feat completed in 1825 that connected the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, lowering shipping costs and boosting the economy of New York City.

Who invented the telegraph and how did it affect communication?

Invented by Samuel Morse, it allowed for near-instant communication over long distances using electrical signals and Morse code.

Who invented the mechanical reaper and how did it affect agriculture?

Invented by Cyrus McCormick, it allowed farmers to harvest grain much faster than by hand, increasing food production and efficiency.

Who was John Deere and what was his contribution to the Industrial Revolution?

He invented the steel plow in 1837, which could cut through the tough prairie soil of the Midwest, making farming in the West more productive.

What was the "Factory System"?

A manufacturing method that brought many workers and machines together under one roof, replacing the domestic system of producing goods at home.

How did the Industrial Revolution influence sectionalism in the United States?

It led to different economic paths, with the North becoming primarily industrial and the South doubling down on its plantation-based, enslaved labor economy.

What was the National Road and why was it important?

The first federally funded highway in the U.S., which improved transportation between the Atlantic coast and the Ohio River Valley.

How did the growth of railroads impact the U.S. economy?

Railroads increased the speed of transport, opened new markets in the West, and lowered the cost of moving goods across long distances.

What is the Free Enterprise System and why did it thrive during this era?

An economic system characterized by private ownership, competition, and minimal government interference, which encouraged innovation and investment during the Industrial Revolution.