Division-The North

Essential Question

  • What was life like in the North in the early 19th century?

  • Importance: Understanding differences among states, which posed dangers to national unity.

Part 1: The North

Geography

  • Farming Limitations:

    • Not suitable for large-scale farming due to _______ and ______ terrain.

    • Presence of ample _____ and ______ sources conducive for industry.

Economy

  • Industrial Focus:

    • Economy primarily driven by business and industry, particularly along the coast.

    • Despite industrial growth, 70% of inhabitants were still farmers.

    • This economic structure contributed to urbanization and the growth of cities.

Industrial Innovations

Key Developments

  • Interchangeable Parts:

    • Standardization of parts to streamline assembly and production.

  • Machine Tools:

    • Advancement in manufacturing processes.

  • Mass Production:

    • Enabled factories to produce goods on a larger scale.

  • Division of Labor:

    • Separation of tasks among workers to enhance efficiency.

The North: Mills

Technological Advancements

  • Cotton Spinning Technology:

    • Initially invented in Britain, prohibited export.

    • Samuel Slater disguised himself to import the technology into the U.S.

    • Resulted in rapid factory establishment in the Northeast.

Production Systems

  • Rhode Island System:

    • Employed entire families to work on divided tasks within mills.

  • Lowell System:

    • Focused on hiring young girls to operate water-powered mills.

Examples of Employment Offers

  • Job Advertisement:

    • The Blackstone Manufacturing Co. sought families for mill work, emphasizing character.

Life of a Mill Girl

Analysis Prompt

  • Encouragement to analyze artifacts related to mill girls’ lives for insights into their experiences.

Life Schedule at Lowell Mills

Timetable Structure

  • Work hours regulated by a bell system, dictating time for work and meals:

    • Specific start and end times for work each month.

    • Example of breakfast, dinner, and evening bells indicating meal times and work shifts.

Immigration Trends

Causes and Impacts

  • European Migration:

    • Many immigrants, especially the Irish (due to famine) and Germans (due to political oppression), sought jobs and freedom in the North.

    • Native Americans often felt threatened by the influx of newcomers, leading to discrimination.

Reform Movements

Abolitionists

  • Individuals advocating against slavery and striving for its elimination:

    • William Lloyd Garrison:

      • Publisher of the anti-slavery newspaper "The Liberator."

    • Frederick Douglass:

      • Former slave, learned to read and write secretly, became a spokesperson for abolition.

    • Sojourner Truth:

      • Former slave advocating for abolition and women's rights, inspired by divine calling.

Women's Rights Movement

  • Elizabeth Cady Stanton:

    • Attended an abolitionist meeting but barred from entry due to her gender.

    • Organized the Seneca Falls Convention to discuss women’s rights.

    • Authored the Declaration of Sentiments, paralleling the Declaration of Independence to demand equality.

Declaration of Sentiments

  • Highlights systemic injustices women faced:

    • Call for the acknowledgment of women's rights, including the right to vote.

    • Emphasizes the need for women to secure equal status in society and the need for reform in government practices.