Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.
Invented by Elias Howe
It allowed clothes to be sewn more quickly and clothing could be produced in factories in great amounts.
This man-made river was dug through the state of New York. It connected the Mid-west United States to the Atlantic ocean. Goods could now be moved more easily and at a lower price
Invented by Peter Cooper
Steam engines allowed products to moved more quickly and easily throughout the country
Invented by Robert Fulton
Steamboats made transportation up-river easier. Travel on rivers was now faster and less expensive than ever before.
Between 1840 & 1860, railroad track increased from 3,000 miles to 31,000 miles. Most of this was in the Northern states and it connected docks and factories to cities making trade easier and faster.
Invented by Samuel Morse
The telegraph used electricity to send messages across wires. He also invented Morse Code, an alphabet for sending those messages. Messages could now be sent instantly over long distances.
Photo by John Schanlaub
Invented by John Deere
This plow allowed farmers to cut through the soil more easily so they could grow more crops.
"John Deere Plow" by national museum of american history is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Invented by Cyrus McCormick
This horse-pulled farm machine allowed farmers to harvest their grain much faster than they could by hand. Farmers could now grow more wheat.
Compare these two maps showing cotton production in the Southern states in 1820 and 1860.
What can you learn from this map?
These two maps show local populations of slaves in the years 1790 and 1860.
What can you learn from this map?