Introduction
The population of America began to expand in 1815 due to the accession of various states to the union and the appearance of immigrants from different countries actively. The first trends of freedom attracted residents of other countries, although slavery still took place. The South of America expanded cotton production, while the North developed technology in factories, which allowed the United States to become one of the fastest-growing economies by 1850. Various transport routes were developed for trade by land and water within the states, which became longer and faster in the 19th century. The opening of the Erie Canal proved to be the most influential in the history of economic and political development. The first railroad tracks covered mainly the eastern part of the country near the border with Canada (Shi, 378). The transition to better and more reliable water transport made it possible to lay trade routes along the ocean, which connected the economy of South and North America.
The improvement of the transport system contributed to communication between the states, and advances in postage. The mail delivery on horses was replaced by the opening of the telegraph, which significantly accelerated the delivery of messages, reducing it to a few days. Government intervention has fostered development by providing grants and encouraging the discovery of new technologies and mineral deposits.
The development of the quality of life of people in cities, busy with the construction of infrastructure, has increased their purchasing power. Technologies and devices allowed farmers and millers to produce twice as many products at the same time. This factor contributed to various inventions, and the number of patents increased tenfold. Goodyear’s discovery of rubber “vulcanization” had a broad impact on everything from shoes to seals and hoses. Hove’s sewing machine brought reforms to women’s work and gave impetus to the sewing industry. However, the giant leap in history was the mechanical processing of cotton, which increased production nearly fifty times (Shi, 385). “White gold” promoted the national economy, and as a result, developed slavery in the western regions of the country.
Industrialization
By the middle of the 19th century, the invention of many iron plows contributed to the development of new lands in the American Midwest. Corn became the main agricultural crop and a combination of factors, on the one hand, destroyed slave labor but also contributed to its development in less developed regions. McCormick reapers have improved wheat harvest rates. The transition from water mills to a new type of fuel – coal – gave impetus to the textile industry. This global achievement allowed Britain to remain one of the leaders in the world market for a long time. Economic difficulties in the form of high taxes, even on local production, forced the government to adopt the Tariff Bill in 1816, contributing to industrialization throughout the country.
Lowell’s system helped to develop not only the quantitative indicators of production but also to take into account the social aspects of labor to create industrial communities. Women’s labor was no longer limited to teaching and the household, as they received higher wages in the textile industry. The consequences have resulted in strikes by women’s collectives advocating more comfortable working conditions (Shi, 402). All these factors honed the work culture and economy, allowing the development of the textile industry in other regions.
Immigrants and Culture
The growth of cities contributed to the development of culture, opera houses and theaters appeared, and residents had more choices in their free time. Musical culture and literature also developed. A large influx of immigrants determined street culture. America attracted the Irish, Germans, and British, as it provided more opportunities and higher salaries. Even representatives from China and Scandinavia found jobs in America at the time. These factors contributed to the emergence of the first trade unions to organize labor, and new professions in education, law, and medicine (Shi, 411). In general, the multicultural development of the market economy has laid the foundations for equality of labor and social life rights.
Works Cited
Shi, David Emory. America “A Narrative History”. AP, 2018.