John B. Morris's Speech Analysis

The development of the New World in the early 19th century was both rapid and diverse, with economic, political, and social changes occurring at every turn. The stability of the new economy was questionable and risky, as many referred to America as an “experiment” of sorts. Innovation of new technologies, in the words of Eric Foner, “wrenched America out of its economic past.” The steamboat, Erie Canal, railroad, and telegraph all were extremely influential to American economic life. John B. Morris delivered a speech when they laid the foundation stone for the road. In his speech, Morris talks about the importance the road will carry and uses Robert Fulton’s steamboat as an example of the change innovation can bring: “We are in fact commencing a new era in our history; for there are none present who even doubt the beneficial influence which

Another invention from this time period was the establishment of factories by Samuel Slater, and they were mainly textile mills that relied heavily on the labor of women and children. Lowell, the most famous textile factory, normally attracted younger unmarried women from Northern farm families were a large majority of the workforce that manned the machines. Being a “mill girl” represented the ability to work independently and make your own living as a young woman in the 19th century. In addition, they hoped to bring in more worker by setting up boarding schools, lecture halls, and churches to take up the girls’ free time. They often faced harsh working conditions and limited contact with the outside world. An unknown operative from Lowell wrote of the conditions of the mill and her and her colleagues desire for better conditions or release from