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Nation of Farmers
In the 1800's, the United States was a nation of farmers. Most the manufacturing was done in the household, or in small mills for lumber and textiles production, or in craft shops for products, such as leather or other household items. -
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Nation of Farmers
In the 1800's, the United States was a nation of farmers. Most the manufacturing was done in the household, or in small mills for lumber and textiles production, or in craft shops for products, such as leather or other household items. After 1807, manufacturing and production was done mostly in factories. -
Embargo Act of 1807
American merchants were stuck between a war going on between Britain and France. President Thomas Jefferson passed the Embargo Act of 1807 to stop all trade and commerce with all other countries, including Britain and France in attemption to stop the two countries' fighting. In turn, Americans had to begin manufacturing and producing goods on their own in their own factories. -
Non-intercourse Act
Congress passed the Non-Intercourse act to enable the President to declare the country to safe, foreign trade with certain nations. -
Macon's Bill #2
Macon's Bill #2 replaced the Non-Intercourse Act, and allowed trade with every country, including Britain and France, that is if they didn't restrict American commerce. In America, however, the Americans had already began to develop their own manufacturing and industrialization. -
National Road
The Cumberland Road, the first national road, was begun in 1811. This eventually became part of the Interstate 40. Further, river transportation was made efficient through the creation of the first steamboat, This was made possible by James Watt’s invention of the first reliable steam engine. -
First Steam Locomotive
This helped transportation of goods and people across the U.S. which, in time helped the production and transportation of goods speed up and dvance. -
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Industrialization Increase
Throughout the Eastern U.S. population increased tremendously because of the job opportunitites in the city immigrants seeked. The iron industry in Pennsylvania made especially great advances as iron was adapted for agricultural tools, railroad track, and a variety of structural uses. Along with the expansion of population to cities, the agriculture, construction, and mining industries expanded as population moved West. Manufacturing accounted for less than 1/5 of all U.S. production in 1840. -
From Agriculture of Cities
As industries and factories arose, people moved from farms to cities. This led to other issues including overcrowding and disease. However, advances were made in agriculture too including better machines and cultivators. For example, Cyrus McCormick created the reaper which allowed quicker and cheaper harvesting of grain. John Deere created the first steel plow in 1837 helping speed up farming across the Midwest. -
Sewing Machine
Elias Howe invented the Sewing machine which revolutionized the manufacturing of clothing, and sped up the process which led to more clothes being made, and a greater amount sold. Clothing was now made in factories instead of at home. With the production of clothing easier and faster, more products were sold at a profitable rate. -
American Iron
By the 1850's, American Iron's quality and price enabled U.S. iron makers to compete in the international market. This helped the U.S. economy grow. -
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Industrial Nation? YES
United States had become the largest and most competitive industrial nation in the world. -
Invention of the Telephone
The invention of the telephone marked the birth of the telephone, yet the death of the telegraph. The communications potential contained in his demonstration of being able to "talk with electricity" far outweighed anything that simply increasing the capability of a dot-and-dash system could imply. With the new telephone, communication between people across the country was now possible.
