American History

Monday, December 11th

 Warm Up
Mindset Monday

1. Why are inventions nurtured in hardship and

established with difficulty? What inventions can
you think of that this is true? False?
2. In your opinion, whats the best invention in
human history? Why?
 Today in History
1936 - Edward VIII abdicates
1941 - Nazi Germany declares war on the
U.S.
 Advances in Industry
New Machines on the Farm
Soil in the Midwest was hard and needed to be
broken up before seeds could be planted.
Iron plows would break easily in the tough sod.
 Advances in Industry
New Machines on the Farm
John Deere began to experiment with steel, which
is tougher and more durable.
In 1830 he patented the steel plow, which allowed
farmers to plow their fields quickly and
efficiently.
 Advances in Industry
New Machines on the Farm
Cyrus McCormick invented a new way to reap
grain during the harvest.
By 1849, he was a millionaire and gave money to
help Dwight L. Moodys ministry in Chicago.
 Advances in Industry
Improvements of the Age
Factory abundant water and poor growing
conditions meant that New England became the
manufacturing center of the U.S.
Francis Cabot Lowell improved the power loom
for weaving cotton cloth using water power.
 Advances in Industry
Improvements of the Age
Lowell provided housing, food, schooling and
required his workers to attend church.
He provided opportunities to work and get and
education for women, which was unusual for the
time.
His business model was much better than most others
at the time.
 Advances in Industry
Improvements of the Age
Patents gave inventors legal protection over
their inventions for 17 years.
Elias Howe improved the sewing machine,
followed by Isaac Merrit Singer.
 Advances in Industry
Improvements of the Age
Mining and Steel in 1815, the invention of the
miners safety lamp provided for better safety in
the coal mines.
Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York became the
centers for steel production
Steel was used for railroads, steam engines,
bridges and buildings.
Steam engines required coal.
 Advances in Industry
Improvements of the Age
Immigrants come to America demand for workers
meant that immigration increased from all over
the world.
By 1860, millions had arrived from Ireland,
Germany and Europe.
 Advances in Industry
Improvements of the Age
Potato Famine In Ireland, a blight on the
staple crop of potatoes meant millions of Irish
people were starving.
They immigrated to the U.S. and became a critical
part of the workforce, building the railroad and
working in factories.
Germans came to escape the political and social
revolutions of Karl Marx.
https://youtu.be/evtEDIQSwvc
 Activity
Morse Code