Forging a National Economy

“Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson – An essay published in 1841 that emphasized individualism and personal independence, reflecting the American spirit of self-sufficiency during the expansion and economic growth of the mid-1800s.

Rendezvous (in American Northwest fur trade) – A yearly gathering where trappers and fur traders met to exchange pelts for goods, playing a key role in the booming fur trade economy of the early 19th century.

Ecological imperialism – The aggressive exploitation of natural resources and wildlife (e.g., over-hunting beavers, bison) by European settlers in the American West, drastically altering the environment. Had to do with Manifest Destiny, over farmed the new land.

Ancient Order of Hibernians (mid-1800s) – An Irish fraternal organization that helped struggling Irish immigrants in the U.S. during the mid-19th century, particularly in response to anti-Irish discrimination.

Molly Maguires – A secret society of Irish coal miners in Pennsylvania that fought against poor working conditions and oppressive mine owners in the mid- to late 1800s.

Tammany Hall (established 1789) – A powerful New York political organization that became a stronghold for Irish immigrants in the mid-1800s, offering political influence in exchange for votes.

Know Nothing Party – A nativist political party in the mid-1800s that opposed immigration, especially by Irish Catholics, fearing they would undermine Protestant values.

Industrial Revolution – The transition to mechanized manufacturing in the early to mid-1800s, transforming American industry and leading to urbanization, factory jobs, and technological advances.

Cotton gin – A machine invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 that revolutionized cotton production by quickly separating seeds from cotton fibers, fueling the expansion of slavery in the South.

Commonwealth vs. Hunt (1842) – A Massachusetts Supreme Court case that ruled labor unions were legal, marking a key victory for workers' rights in the growing industrial economy.

Factory girls – Young women who worked long hours in textile mills during the early Industrial Revolution, especially in places like the Lowell mills in Massachusetts.

Cult of domesticity – A social belief that women’s primary role was to manage the home and raise children, reinforcing traditional gender roles in the mid-19th century.

McCormick reaper – A mechanical reaping machine invented by Cyrus McCormick in the 1830s, revolutionizing agriculture by increasing grain harvesting efficiency.

Erie Canal completed – Completed in 1825, this canal connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, drastically reducing transportation costs and boosting trade in the Midwest.

Pony Express – A short-lived mail service (1860–1861) that used horseback riders to quickly deliver messages across the western U.S. before the telegraph replaced it.

Transportation Revolution – A period of rapid transportation advancements in the mid-1800s, including canals, steamboats, railroads, and improved roads, facilitating westward expansion and economic growth.

Samuel Slater – Known as the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution," he brought British textile manufacturing techniques to the U.S. in the late 18th century, sparking the rise of American factories.

Eli Whitney – Inventor of the cotton gin and a pioneer in interchangeable parts manufacturing, which transformed industrial production.

Elias Howe – Inventor of the first practical sewing machine in 1846, which helped revolutionize the textile industry.

Isaac Singer – Improved the sewing machine design and made it widely accessible, helping expand the garment industry.

Samuel Morse – Inventor of the telegraph and Morse code, which revolutionized long-distance communication in the mid-19th century.

John Deere – Inventor of the steel plow in 1837, which made farming more efficient, particularly in the tough soil of the Midwest.

Robert Fulton – Developed the first commercially successful steamboat in 1807, which improved river transportation and trade in the 19th century.

Laissez Faire - An economic philosophy advocating minimal government intervention in the economy, allowing businesses to operate freely and drive innovation. Also allowed for worker exploitation, as companies prioritized profits over fair wages and working conditions, leading to significant labor movements and calls for reform.

Lowell, Mass- In the 1800s, this was one of the first towns to have major industrial factories that employed young women, known as "mill girls," who worked in textile mills under challenging conditions, ultimately contributing to the early labor movement.