Ch. 10 PTQ's

Rapid Population Growth

The significant increase in the population of the United States between 1820 and 1840 due to various factors including immigration and natural increase.

Major Immigrant Groups

Groups such as the Irish and Germans who immigrated to the United States and settled primarily in urban areas.

Rise of New York City

New York City became America’s leading city due to a combination of immigration, trade, and its strategic location.

Alien Menace

The perception of foreign-born populations as a threat to American society, leading to political and social responses from native-born citizens.

Water Routes for Transportation

Americans favored water routes because they were cheaper and more efficient for transporting goods compared to land routes.

Natural Commerce Limitations

Lakes and rivers were often insufficient for extensive transportation needs, prompting the need for canals and railroads.

Geographical Limitations on Water Travel

Americans proposed using canals and railroads to overcome obstacles for water travel, necessitating federal involvement.

Canal Development

New York took the lead in canal development, significantly enhancing trade and transportation while influencing other regions.

Early Railroad Development

Characterized by technological innovations that enhanced efficiency; railroads provided faster, more reliable transport than canals.

Innovations in Communication

Advances in journalism and communication technologies that helped unify communities while also highlighting sectional divides.

Shift in Manufacturing

Changes in production methods and business practices that led to an increase in both the scale and distribution of manufactured goods.

Technology and Industry Growth

Technological advancements played a pivotal role in the expansion of manufacturing and the overall industrial growth of the United States.

Factory Rise in Northeast

Economic forces and the demand for labor led to the establishment of factories, fostering industrial development in the Northeast.

Role of American Inventors

The contributions of inventors and industrial innovators were crucial to the advancement of tools and processes in American industry.

Textile Mill Locations

Textile mills, like those in Lowell, were strategically located near water sources for power and access to labor.

Problems with Water Power

Factory owners faced challenges with water power's reliability and variability, prompting innovations by the late 1830s.

Labor Recruitment in Mills

Textile mills employed young women who were seen as adaptable laborers, leading to mixed reactions from society.

Working Women in Lowell

The experience of women working in mills often included long hours and difficult conditions, differing from those in Europe.

American Labor Organizations

Labor movements in the U.S. emerged with unique characteristics, often starting with skilled laborers seeking better conditions.

Factory System

A production system that centralized work processes, affecting the traditional artisan methods and workforce organization.

Conditions of Factory Workers

Workers in northeastern factories typically faced long hours, low pay, and unsafe conditions.

Attempts to Improve Factory Conditions

Unions sought to improve labor conditions through organized efforts, which achieved varying degrees of success.

Wealth Distribution

Despite America’s increasing wealth, it was not evenly distributed, impacting social mobility and class structures.

Middle-Class Life Pre-Civil War

Middle-class households became influential in urban culture, shaping social norms and values during the early 19th century.

Family Dynamics Change

A shift occurred towards a more domestic and less economically active family structure, marking changes in social roles.

Separate Sphere Concept

Cultural norms placed women in a distinct sphere, leading to a unique set of values and social practices among women.

Cult of Domesticity

A belief system that defined women's roles in the home, emphasizing moral virtue and the family, with both costs and benefits.

Culture of Public Leisure

A social phenomenon in the mid-19th century characterized by activities like theater and public events that fostered community engagement.

Decline of Northeastern Farming

Economic pressures and urbanization led farmers to adapt through diversification and shifting agricultural practices.

Northwest Industries

The Northwest was home to diverse industries, with industrial growth that played a crucial part in the national economy.

Northwest Economy

The basis of the Northwest’s economy was agriculture, producing crops like wheat and corn for both local and national markets.

Goods Marketing in the Northwest

Most goods were marketed to urban centers, influencing political alliances and economic sections before 1860.

Growth of Northwest Economy

Factors like transportation improvements contributed to economic expansion, driven by inventive entrepreneurs and politicians.

Democratic Spirit of Northwest

The Northwest was seen as the most democratic region due to its more equal distribution of land and opportunities.

Rural Life Characteristics

Mid-19th century rural life was defined by agricultural practices, family structures, and community ties in America.

Theater Popularity

Theater, especially Shakespearean works, became a popular cultural expression reflecting broader societal values of the time.

Theater in Public Leisure Culture

Theater was an integral element of the culture of public leisure, serving as entertainment and community bonding.

Native American Association

An organization focused on the interests and rights of Native Americans during a period of increasing westward expansion.

Erie Canal

A significant canal completed in 1825 that connected the Hudson River with Lake Erie and facilitated trade in New York.

Mohawk and Hudson Railroad

An early railroad that played a vital role in connecting key regions in New York and promoting economic growth.

Samuel F. B. Morse

An inventor best known for developing the telegraph and Morse code, transforming long-distance communication.

Corporations

Business entities that became prevalent in the 19th century, allowing for more significant investments and industrial growth.

Interchangeable Parts

Standardized parts that could be used interchangeably in manufacturing, boosting efficiency and production speed.

Lowell or Waltham System

A factory system that employed young women and emphasized a controlled environment within textile mills.

Factory Girls Association

A union created by female mill workers in Lowell, advocating for labor rights and improved working conditions.

Express Contract

An agreement emphasizing the quick transfer of goods and services, prevalent during the industrial growth.

Central Park

A large public park in New York City designed in the mid-19th century, symbolizing urban leisure and public space.

Safety Valve

A metaphorical term describing mechanisms in the economy or society that prevent instability by allowing venting of pressures.

Oberlin College

An influential institution in Ohio known for its progressive stance on education and social justice during the 19th century.

Domestic Virtues

Values emphasizing home life and women's roles within the family structure, particularly in middle-class society.

Sarah Hale

An author and editor known for her advocacy for women's education and contributions to the culture of domesticity.

P.T. Barnum

A 19th-century showman and businessman known for his promotion of entertainment and public spectacles.

Cyrus H. McCormick

An inventor best known for developing the mechanical reaper, significantly impacting agriculture and productivity.