Chapter 13: The North's Economy

Imrproved Transportation

Period: Feb 17, 1800 to Mar 17, 1850

Construction crews built thousands of miles of roads and canals. The growth of railroads in the 1840's and 1850's also helped spread the production of goods.

Industrial Revolution

Mar 21, 1800

Changes in technology started taking place. Power-driven machinery made products efficiently, taking the place of making them by hand.

Locomotives

Jan 8, 1830

The first steam-powered passenger locomotive, the Rocket, began operating in Britain in 1829. The first American steam-powered locomotive, Tom Thumb, was designed in built by Peter Cooper in 1830.

Steel-tipped Plow

Apr 24, 1837

John Deere invented the steel-tipped plow. This was much sturdier than the wooden plow, it easily cut through the hard-packed surface of the ground of the prairies.

Clipper Ships

Jun 10, 1840

Clipper ships were improved sailing ships. They could travel as fast as most steamships at the time.

Telegraph

Mar 24, 1844

Samuel Morse, an American inventor, demonstrated that he could send messages instantly by wire. It was called the telegraph.

Sewing Machine

Apr 1, 1846

Elias Howe invented the sewing machine. Machine operators could now produce clothing on a large scale of fabrics made by machine.