- Economy: New technology in the 18th century opened up factory jobs for mostly Irish and later African American workers meanwhile a growing network of railroads promoted facilitation of manufactured materials from eastern factories to the west and diffusion of agricultural goods from the great plains to both halfs of the U.S.
- Identity: Railroad workers were comprised primarily of Asian immigrants because the United States offered economic opportunities and freedoms not presented in the immigrant's homeland. Per usual the newest immigrant group is limited to the most dangerous and undesirable jobs such as railroad construction.
- Global context: The U.S. became a center for economic opportunity after the introduction of replaceable parts and conveyor belt manufacturing which boosted manufacturing capabilities and allowed for immigrant workers to fill undesirable factory jobs. This made immigrants began migrate to the united states for factory jobs and railroad construction jobs.
- Politics: Henry Clay’s proposed American System favored internal improvements, however the north accepted and engaged in the plan, while the south rejected it. Because of this, the north had constructed railroads, and the south was left relatively undeveloped which played to their disadvantage in the Civil War.
Invention of the Sewing Machine - Elias Howe
H.) 1846 - Documentation of the invention of the sewing machine by one of its creators, Elias Howe.
I.) His fellow inventors: Josef Madersperger, Walter Hunt, and Barthélemy Thimonnier
P.) Elias Howe, the one of the inventors of the sewing machine.
P.) To document and display their new creation.
I.) His fellow inventors: Josef Madersperger, Walter Hunt, and Barthélemy Thimonnier
P.) Elias Howe, the one of the inventors of the sewing machine.
P.) To document and display their new creation.
New map of the Union Pacific Railway - Union Pacific Railway Company
H.) 1883 - A new map of the Union Pacific Railway, the short, quick and safe line to all points west.
I.) Settlers of the West and the federal government.
P.) A person hired to make maps for the Union Pacific Railway Company.
P.) To display the quickest routes of trade and travel for the west to the heartland.
I.) Settlers of the West and the federal government.
P.) A person hired to make maps for the Union Pacific Railway Company.
P.) To display the quickest routes of trade and travel for the west to the heartland.
Pony Express Route, 1860 - William Henry Jackson & Union Pacific Railroad Company
H.) 1860 - Western settlement has began and a new means of mail delivery is necessary to its survival.
I.) Western settlers who need to know the route of the Pony Express
P.) A route maker who can display where people are able get their mail.
P.) To get mail from the middle of the country to the far west; California.
I.) Western settlers who need to know the route of the Pony Express
P.) A route maker who can display where people are able get their mail.
P.) To get mail from the middle of the country to the far west; California.
- Thesis: To what extent did railroads and technology impact the growth of the West?
Railroads and technology impacted growth of the West because they allowed for easier facilitation of people, more efficient manufacturing that opened jobs in factories for migrants, and increased the volume of goods that could be transported which hastened and incentivised growth of the Western United States.
The construction of railroad networks throughout the states gave way to more efficient transportation of goods and people and greatly impacted the growth of the West. With the addition of the Transcontinental Railroad, it was even easier for Americans to take advantage of cheap land opportunities in the West because they didn’t have to travel by horse and carriage to their new land. Once settled, migrants were capable of speedily shipping crops to eastern markets for sale. This newfound advantage effectively promoted western expansion by simplifying migration and commercial ties to the eastern United States.