Chapter 9: Transforming the Economy

APUSH Unit 2

Division of Labor

The concept that one worker does not accomplish all the tasks, but the labor be split up based on skill.

“Porkopolis”

The city of Cincinnati was known for its productive slaughterhouses making the use of factories and the division of labor which allowed them to increase their output hogs. 400,000 hogs a year by 1860

Francis Cabot Lowell

Sent to London to make a sketches of the British textile manufacturing machines, which were then sent to American mechanic Paul Moody to develop their counterpart in America. With the help of two other merchants, and raising $400,000, they were able to create the first textile power-plant in America that had all production under one roof

Lowell System

Boston Manufacturing Company took thousands of women from farm families in the 1820s and gave them boarding shelter, evening lectures, and other cultural activities. Under strict moral restrictions like mandatory church attendance, no alcohol, and curfew/bedtime. Gave women independence, and put America ahead in manufacturing textiles due to cheep, female labor. More inexpensive than NY and PA

Waltham Plan

Textile plant in Waltham, Massachusetts that was the first plant to centralize production under one roof

Eli Whitney

American mechanic and inventor from New England farmers that attended Yale College through a scholarship. Invented the cotton gin in 1793 that could separate seeds from cotton fibers. Made fortune and fame through designing machines that manufactured military weapons like muskets

Artisan Republicanism

As the industrial revolution spread in America, this concept originated workers who viewed themselves as equal to one another. Production based on liberty and equality

Labor Theory of Value

A concept where artisan republicanism was starting to expand to wageworkers. The price of goods should reflect the labor it took to produce them, and the income earned from these goods go to the producers, not the factory owners, storekeepers, etc

Market Revolution

Economic shift from self-sufficient economy to a national, market based economy. Expansion of markets, improvements in transportation industrial growth, wage labor, commercial agriculture, financial innovations. Allowed more people to settle into the Midwest area, which led it to have a flourishing agricultural economy and start to industrialize like the Northeast

John Deere

Blacksmith in Illinois that made the first steel plow in 1837, which allowed farmers to profit and cultivate the midwestern soil. He opened a factory 10 years later that mass-produced these steel plows, that were able to shape America’s agricultural society

Self-Made Man

Popular belief in the 1800s that anyone could rise in society through effort, hard work, determination, and talent rather than being born into a prestigious, wealthy family. For example, Benjamin Franklin. Prioritized self-made fortunes and individualism that supported the American Dream

Lyman Beecher

Leading Presbyterian minister and major figure in the Benevolent Empire, who promoted causes like temperance, Sabbath observance, and moral discipline, believing that religious and moral reform could save the nation from sin. Helped spread the Benevolent Empire’s goal of restoring Christian values in an increasingly industrial and urban society.

Benevolent Empire

A reform movement led by the Presbyterian and Congregationalist Middle Class members to make society safe and discipline once again. Help the poor by embracing Christianity’s benevolence and reduce alcoholism and other factors that caused poverty

Charles G. Finney

Presbyterian minister who introduced a new, emotional style of preaching. Born poor in Connecticut, he originally planned to be a lawyer before a powerful religious conversion in 1823. He led revival meetings along the Erie Canal focused on personal conversion rather than doctrine. Rejected Calvinism, teaching that any sinner could be saved by submitting to the Holy Spirit. His work expanded the Second Great Awakening, spreading Protestant revivalism across the U.S.

Temperance Movement

Temperance was a social movement in the 19th century aimed at reducing or eliminating the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Advocates believed alcohol caused moral decay, poverty, and social problems. Promoted moderation or total abstinence from drinking. Part of the Benevolent Empire, linked to religious revivalism and moral reform. Led to the formation of temperance societies, public campaigns, and eventually influenced laws restricting alcohol.

Nativism

Movements that rejected immigration and asserted dominance of Protestant religious and cultural values