American Industrialization and Slavery

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on American industrialization, the role of slavery, and their implications on society.

What was the significance of Samuel Slater in American industrial history?

He brought British textile technology to the U.S. and built the first cotton spinning mill in 1790.

What was the first factory in North America?

The first factory in North America was a cotton spinning mill built by Samuel Slater in Rhode Island in 1790.

What system did Slater's cotton spinning mills rely on for labor?

They relied on families from the surrounding areas who signed contracts to work in the mills.

What was the primary product of Slater's cotton spinning mill?

The primary product was yarn.

How were the women involved in the outwork system beneficial to their families?

Women could earn extra income by weaving cloth from yarn, which helped support their families financially.

What challenges did agents face when collecting finished cloth from families in the outwork system?

Agents faced difficulties with unpredictable quantities and quality of cloth produced by families.

What was the Lowell system and how did it differ from earlier labor practices?

The Lowell system employed young women in factories who lived in boarding houses, differing from traditional family labor practices.

What was the economic impact of women working in factories for their families?

Women could bring in extra income that was crucial for family survival, contributing significantly to their family's finances.

How did slavery in Africa differ from European slavery?

In African slavery, enslaved individuals could be integrated into families and might gain freedom after serving, while European slavery was based on race and life servitude.

What was the Middle Passage?

The Middle Passage was the brutal transportation route for enslaved Africans across the Atlantic, characterized by high mortality rates.

What role did the insurance industry play in the slave trade?

The insurance industry allowed slave captains to claim losses for enslaved people who died during transport, making slavery a financial investment.

Why did the demand for enslaved labor increase in the American colonies?

The growth of plantation agriculture and the labor-intensive nature of cash crops created a high demand for enslaved labor.

What impact did the War of 1812 have on American industrialization?

The war created a demand for domestic manufacturing, leading to the establishment of factories that could supply goods previously imported from Britain.

What tradition did the hiring of young women in factories challenge?

It challenged the traditional role of women as homemakers by allowing them to participate in the workforce.

What was the triangular trade?

The triangular trade was a historical trade system involving the exchange of goods and enslaved people among Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

How did the enslaved African population in North America sustain itself after the U.S. outlawed the importation of slaves in 1808?

The population sustained itself through natural reproduction, as children inherited the status of their enslaved mothers.

What was the primary crop that relied heavily on enslaved labor in the Americas?

Sugar was the primary crop that relied on enslaved labor.

How did social and economic conditions in the South contrast with those in the North regarding labor?

The South relied heavily on enslaved labor and traditional gender roles, while the North saw a growing textile industry that employed women and children.