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Growth of Industry in the United States
Growth of Industry in the United States
In the post-Civil War period, spurred by wartime government spending and the federal government's support for the building of the transcontinental railroad, industry throughout the United States expanded rapidly.
In the post-Civil War period, spurred by wartime government spending and the federal government's support for the building of the transcontinental railroad, industry throughout the United States expanded rapidly.
Discoveries of iron ore and coal in the west and the need for steel for the railroad as well as the role of entrepreneurs and new technologies led to a growth in the steel and oil industries.
Discoveries of iron ore and coal in the west and the need for steel for the railroad as well as the role of entrepreneurs and new technologies led to a growth in the steel and oil industries.
Meat packing and grain processing plants were built to make the bounty (abundance) of the ranches and farms of the west and Midwest available to people throughout the country.
Meat packing and grain processing plants were built to make the bounty (abundance) of the ranches and farms of the west and Midwest available to people throughout the country.
Immigrants anxious to make their fortunes in America provided the labor for expanding factories.
Immigrants anxious to make their fortunes in America provided the labor for expanding factories.
Growth of Industry in South Carolina
Growth of Industry in South Carolina
South Carolina remained largely unaffected by the economic growth in the rest of the country in the immediate postwar period and consequently South Carolina did not attract large numbers of immigrants looking for work. The planter elite looked down on the development of industry as a less noble calling than their antebellum (before the Civil War) agricultural society. Conservatives did little to support South Carolina's struggling industrial development, being more interested in reviving the old South than in fostering the birth of a New South.
South Carolina remained largely unaffected by the economic growth in the rest of the country in the immediate postwar period and consequently South Carolina did not attract large numbers of immigrants looking for work. The planter elite looked down on the development of industry as a less noble calling than their antebellum (before the Civil War) agricultural society. Conservatives did little to support South Carolina's struggling industrial development, being more interested in reviving the old South than in fostering the birth of a New South.
Growth of Industry in South Carolina
Growth of Industry in South Carolina
The railroad boom that spurred national industrialization in the post war period was also felt in South Carolina. Major cities grew as a result of their location on track routes that connected them to suppliers and markets throughout the country. Columbia was a regional railroad hub served by over one hundred trains a day. The transcontinental trains promoted the establishment of time zones and standard time.
The railroad boom that spurred national industrialization in the post war period was also felt in South Carolina. Major cities grew as a result of their location on track routes that connected them to suppliers and markets throughout the country. Columbia was a regional railroad hub served by over one hundred trains a day. The transcontinental trains promoted the establishment of time zones and standard time.
Textile Industry in South Carolina
Textile Industry in South Carolina
In part, due to the railroad boom, the textile industry that had begun prior to the Civil War eventually became very important to South Carolina.
In part, due to the railroad boom, the textile industry that had begun prior to the Civil War eventually became very important to South Carolina.
A ready supply of raw materials and a changing attitude about the development of industry led to the growth of the textile industry in the Upcountry of South Carolina.
A ready supply of raw materials and a changing attitude about the development of industry led to the growth of the textile industry in the Upcountry of South Carolina.
New entrepreneurial leadership became boosters of the idea of the industrialized New South.
New entrepreneurial leadership became boosters of the idea of the industrialized New South.
Local investors provided most of the capital for the building of textile mills, located close to the cotton fields and along rivers that would supply power.
Local investors provided most of the capital for the building of textile mills, located close to the cotton fields and along rivers that would supply power.
Although South Carolina did not attract a large number of foreign immigrants, the state had a ready supply of workers.
Although South Carolina did not attract a large number of foreign immigrants, the state had a ready supply of workers.
Poor farmers who could no longer make a living from the land were attracted to mill villages that provided homes, schools, churches, and stores in addition to jobs.
Poor farmers who could no longer make a living from the land were attracted to mill villages that provided homes, schools, churches, and stores in addition to jobs.
Most African Americans were not considered for traditional textile mill labor.
Most African Americans were not considered for traditional textile mill labor.
The first mills were started in the Upstate and within fifteen years there were mills in the Midlands and the Low Country.
The first mills were started in the Upstate and within fifteen years there were mills in the Midlands and the Low Country.
The boom for mill building came after 1895 due to technological innovations.
The boom for mill building came after 1895 due to technological innovations.
Modeled after New England mills, these textile mills produced finished cloth on their many spindles.
Modeled after New England mills, these textile mills produced finished cloth on their many spindles.
By 1910, South Carolina was the second largest textile producing state in the nation.
By 1910, South Carolina was the second largest textile producing state in the nation.
Life in the Mill Villages
Life in the Mill Villages
Life for workers in the mill villages was not ideal.
Life for workers in the mill villages was not ideal.
Conditions depended upon the generosity of the mill owners and the economic conditions of the times.
Conditions depended upon the generosity of the mill owners and the economic conditions of the times.
When depression struck, workers were laid off and lost their homes as well as their jobs.
When depression struck, workers were laid off and lost their homes as well as their jobs.
Many children worked in the mills where their small fingers made them better able to retie broken threads but their youth made them more susceptible to workplace accidents.
Many children worked in the mills where their small fingers made them better able to retie broken threads but their youth made them more susceptible to workplace accidents.
Men, women and children worked long hours for low pay and were often looked down upon as "lint heads."
Men, women and children worked long hours for low pay and were often looked down upon as "lint heads."
Workers in South Carolina earned less than half of what mill workers in other parts of the United States earned and women and children were paid even less than men.
Workers in South Carolina earned less than half of what mill workers in other parts of the United States earned and women and children were paid even less than men.
They worked from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm until Governor Tillman's law reduced working hours to sixty-six per week.
They worked from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm until Governor Tillman's law reduced working hours to sixty-six per week.
Workers often suffered from diseases of the lung including tuberculosis from breathing in cotton fibers and from the crowded conditions of their workplace.
Workers often suffered from diseases of the lung including tuberculosis from breathing in cotton fibers and from the crowded conditions of their workplace.
Workplace accidents that could end a career were an ever-present possibility.
Workplace accidents that could end a career were an ever-present possibility.
Workers were unable to organize to improve their lot.
Workers were unable to organize to improve their lot.
Union organizers were immediately fired and the organized labor movement was consistently crushed by the mill owners.
Union organizers were immediately fired and the organized labor movement was consistently crushed by the mill owners.
Low wages and poor conditions mirrored what was happening to workers throughout the United States.
Low wages and poor conditions mirrored what was happening to workers throughout the United States.
Although workers outside of South Carolina were somewhat more effective in organizing unions and in launching protests through strikes, the national unions were not successful in improving conditions.
Although workers outside of South Carolina were somewhat more effective in organizing unions and in launching protests through strikes, the national unions were not successful in improving conditions.
The United States government backed the interests of the mill owners rather than the workers as did the political leadership of South Carolina.
The United States government backed the interests of the mill owners rather than the workers as did the political leadership of South Carolina.
Other South Carolina Industries
Other South Carolina Industries
The production of cottonseed oil, lumber, and phosphates for fertilizers increased after Reconstruction due mainly to the states' ability to lure (attract) northern mills south by offering a source of cheap and non-union labor.
The production of cottonseed oil, lumber, and phosphates for fertilizers increased after Reconstruction due mainly to the states' ability to lure (attract) northern mills south by offering a source of cheap and non-union labor.
Phosphate rock that was found near Charleston and Beaufort was a major part of commercial fertilizer that was produced in the state for about twenty years after the Civil War.
Phosphate rock that was found near Charleston and Beaufort was a major part of commercial fertilizer that was produced in the state for about twenty years after the Civil War.
In the late nineteenth century, phosphate mining brought a degree of wealth to the coastal area from Charleston to Beaufort.
In the late nineteenth century, phosphate mining brought a degree of wealth to the coastal area from Charleston to Beaufort.
In the Beaufort area, phosphate mining never recovered after the 1893 hurricane.
In the Beaufort area, phosphate mining never recovered after the 1893 hurricane.
When rich phosphate deposits were found in Florida, South Carolina companies went out of business.
When rich phosphate deposits were found in Florida, South Carolina companies went out of business.
South Carolina’s Agricultural Depression
South Carolina’s Agricultural Depression
The postwar agricultural depression continued after the end of Reconstruction, and the Conservative government did nothing to help small farmers.
The postwar agricultural depression continued after the end of Reconstruction, and the Conservative government did nothing to help small farmers.
Small farms, worked by sharecroppers or tenant farmers, replaced the large plantations of the antebellum period.
Small farms, worked by sharecroppers or tenant farmers, replaced the large plantations of the antebellum period.
Cotton continued to dominate the South Carolina economy, but it did not bring prosperity.
Cotton continued to dominate the South Carolina economy, but it did not bring prosperity.
Instead of helping the destitute (needy; penniless) farmers, the Conservatives passed a crop lien law that allowed creditors to have first claim on a farmer's crop.
Instead of helping the destitute (needy; penniless) farmers, the Conservatives passed a crop lien law that allowed creditors to have first claim on a farmer's crop.
The crop lien system held farmers in continual debt.
The crop lien system held farmers in continual debt.
The Economic Impact of Supply and Demand
The Economic Impact of Supply and Demand
Although South Carolina farmers did not experience the mechanization (modernization; automation) of farming (cotton was picked by hand well into the twentieth century) that raised supply in other regions of the country, they did have fertilizers that increased the cotton yield.
Although South Carolina farmers did not experience the mechanization (modernization; automation) of farming (cotton was picked by hand well into the twentieth century) that raised supply in other regions of the country, they did have fertilizers that increased the cotton yield.
They were also competing with foreign suppliers.
They were also competing with foreign suppliers.
Worldwide supply exceeded demand and the price that farmers were able to get for their crops fell throughout the period.
Worldwide supply exceeded demand and the price that farmers were able to get for their crops fell throughout the period.
Farmers throughout the Midwest and the South were unable to make payments on the loans that they had taken out to purchase land and equipment.
Farmers throughout the Midwest and the South were unable to make payments on the loans that they had taken out to purchase land and equipment.
In South Carolina, the problem of debt was worsened/intensified by the sharecropping and tenant farming system and the crop lien laws.
In South Carolina, the problem of debt was worsened/intensified by the sharecropping and tenant farming system and the crop lien laws.
Farmers first responded to this problem as individuals by planting more so that they could make more profit.
Farmers first responded to this problem as individuals by planting more so that they could make more profit.
The more farmers planted, the more prices fell.
The more farmers planted, the more prices fell.
In South Carolina, farmers also felt the impact of bank foreclosures, forfeiture of their land for non-payment of taxes, as well as drought and pests such as the army worm and the boll weevil that led to periodic crop failures.
In South Carolina, farmers also felt the impact of bank foreclosures, forfeiture of their land for non-payment of taxes, as well as drought and pests such as the army worm and the boll weevil that led to periodic crop failures.
The Populist Movement
The Populist Movement
The political roots of the Populist movement were established in South Carolina, as in other parts of the South and in the Midwest, as a result of these worsening economic conditions.
The political roots of the Populist movement were established in South Carolina, as in other parts of the South and in the Midwest, as a result of these worsening economic conditions.
Farmers organized first as the Grange, a social organization designed to alleviate (ease) the isolation of farm life.
Farmers organized first as the Grange, a social organization designed to alleviate (ease) the isolation of farm life.
In the Midwest, the Grange evolved (developed) into a political organization.
In the Midwest, the Grange evolved (developed) into a political organization.
In South Carolina, the farmers did not have political power. It remained in the hands of the elite Conservatives.
In South Carolina, the farmers did not have political power. It remained in the hands of the elite Conservatives.
Farmers organized in regional Farmers' Alliances in the 1880s that advocated (sponsored; supported) for an increase in the monetary supply, especially the coinage of silver.
Farmers organized in regional Farmers' Alliances in the 1880s that advocated (sponsored; supported) for an increase in the monetary supply, especially the coinage of silver.
In South Carolina, where society was segregated by both law and practice, there was a white Farmers' Alliance and a Colored Farmers' Alliance.
In South Carolina, where society was segregated by both law and practice, there was a white Farmers' Alliance and a Colored Farmers' Alliance.
In the 1890s, alliances around the country united to form the Populist Party, which supported the regulation of railroads and banking, the free and unlimited coinage of silver, and a system of federal farm loans.
In the 1890s, alliances around the country united to form the Populist Party, which supported the regulation of railroads and banking, the free and unlimited coinage of silver, and a system of federal farm loans.
The party also advocated (sponsored; supported) democratic reforms such as the popular election of Senators, the secret ballot, and a graduated income tax.
The party also advocated (sponsored; supported) democratic reforms such as the popular election of Senators, the secret ballot, and a graduated income tax.
The farmers attempted to ally with industrial workers by advocating (sponsoring; supporting) an eight-hour work day and restrictions on immigration.
The farmers attempted to ally with industrial workers by advocating (sponsoring; supporting) an eight-hour work day and restrictions on immigration.
The Populist Party was successful in electing senators, governors and state legislators in the South and West.
The Populist Party was successful in electing senators, governors and state legislators in the South and West.
In South Carolina, farmers did not form a separate party but worked to control the Democratic Party.
In South Carolina, farmers did not form a separate party but worked to control the Democratic Party.
Benjamin Ryan Tillman
Benjamin Ryan Tillman
South Carolina farmers accepted the leadership of Ben Tillman because of his extraordinary oratorical (speechmaking; debate) and political skills.
South Carolina farmers accepted the leadership of Ben Tillman because of his extraordinary oratorical (speechmaking; debate) and political skills.
He could be considered a Populist because he appealed to the values and needs of the common people against the Conservative elite.
He could be considered a Populist because he appealed to the values and needs of the common people against the Conservative elite.
Tillman was not a true advocate (supporter) for the ideals of the Populist Party, and he strove to gain control of the Democratic Party in South Carolina.
Tillman was not a true advocate (supporter) for the ideals of the Populist Party, and he strove to gain control of the Democratic Party in South Carolina.
Tillman's demagoguery (appeal to people that plays on their emotions and prejudices rather than on their rational side) and political maneuvering were more in keeping with the political machines of the late nineteenth century (late 1800s) than they were with the idealistic farmers' reform movement, which advocated (sponsored; supported) for more popular control of the government.
Tillman's demagoguery (appeal to people that plays on their emotions and prejudices rather than on their rational side) and political maneuvering were more in keeping with the political machines of the late nineteenth century (late 1800s) than they were with the idealistic farmers' reform movement, which advocated (sponsored; supported) for more popular control of the government.
Unlike other Southern Populists, Tillman never supported the Populists' appeal for the vote of the African-American farmers, who suffered as much or more from economic conditions as the white farmer.
Unlike other Southern Populists, Tillman never supported the Populists' appeal for the vote of the African-American farmers, who suffered as much or more from economic conditions as the white farmer.
Tillman's white supremacy message and racist rhetoric (language; speech) led to an increase of violence and lynching against African-Americans and to efforts to disenfranchise the African-American voter.
Tillman's white supremacy message and racist rhetoric (language; speech) led to an increase of violence and lynching against African-Americans and to efforts to disenfranchise the African-American voter.
The Establishment of Clemson University
The Establishment of Clemson University
The fight between the Tillmanites and the Conservative establishment got statewide attention with Tillman's support for the establishment of Clemson as an agricultural college and his opposition to the elitism (exclusiveness; superiority; snobbery) of the University of South Carolina.
The fight between the Tillmanites and the Conservative establishment got statewide attention with Tillman's support for the establishment of Clemson as an agricultural college and his opposition to the elitism (exclusiveness; superiority; snobbery) of the University of South Carolina.
Tillman advocated (sponsored; supported) the establishment of educational facilities for farmers to teach them better crop management and to develop new crops to increase their economic prosperity.
Tillman advocated (sponsored; supported) the establishment of educational facilities for farmers to teach them better crop management and to develop new crops to increase their economic prosperity.
The property at Clemson was a bequest by Thomas Green Clemson [son-in-law of John C. Calhoun], who supported Tillman's promotion of an agricultural college.
The property at Clemson was a bequest by Thomas Green Clemson [son-in-law of John C. Calhoun], who supported Tillman's promotion of an agricultural college.
Clemson was also a land grant college in that its operation was supported by the system of land grants established by the national government [Morrill Act] by which the sale of a portion of western lands was reserved to support agricultural improvements in each of the established states.
Clemson was also a land grant college in that its operation was supported by the system of land grants established by the national government [Morrill Act] by which the sale of a portion of western lands was reserved to support agricultural improvements in each of the established states.
In order to comply with the "separate but equal" doctrine, South Carolina and other southern states established separate land grant colleges for African America farmers.
In order to comply with the "separate but equal" doctrine, South Carolina and other southern states established separate land grant colleges for African America farmers.
South Carolina State University was authorized by the land grant system but received limited financial support from the state.
South Carolina State University was authorized by the land grant system but received limited financial support from the state.
Clemson and South Carolina State encouraged diversification of crops, but changes in crop production in various regions of South Carolina occurred as a result of natural disaster and entrepreneurship.
Clemson and South Carolina State encouraged diversification of crops, but changes in crop production in various regions of South Carolina occurred as a result of natural disaster and entrepreneurship.
Natural Disasters Hit South Carolina
Natural Disasters Hit South Carolina
Although its epicenter was nearer to Summerville, the effects of the 1886 intraplate earthquake were more graphic in the city of Charleston rather than the agricultural countryside.
Although its epicenter was nearer to Summerville, the effects of the 1886 intraplate earthquake were more graphic in the city of Charleston rather than the agricultural countryside.
As the largest, most destructive, costly, and lethal earthquake ever to strike east of the Mississippi, the catastrophe and the city's response to it revolutionized and modernized practices in construction, disaster preparedness/response, and scientific study that continue to this day.
As the largest, most destructive, costly, and lethal earthquake ever to strike east of the Mississippi, the catastrophe and the city's response to it revolutionized and modernized practices in construction, disaster preparedness/response, and scientific study that continue to this day.
The hurricane that struck Charleston in 1893 and others that followed wiped out the rice fields and competition from the Far East brought an end to the production of 'Carolina Gold.'
The hurricane that struck Charleston in 1893 and others that followed wiped out the rice fields and competition from the Far East brought an end to the production of 'Carolina Gold.'
Low Country farmers turned to truck gardening to supply local markets.
Low Country farmers turned to truck gardening to supply local markets.
Tobacco was introduced as a cash crop in the Pee Dee region but could not be grown in other parts of the Low Country.
Tobacco was introduced as a cash crop in the Pee Dee region but could not be grown in other parts of the Low Country.
Some upstate farmers planted peach trees but cotton continued to dominate South Carolina agriculture into the twentieth century.
Some upstate farmers planted peach trees but cotton continued to dominate South Carolina agriculture into the twentieth century.
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