What Factors Contributed To The Development Of The Western Economy During The Period Of 1790-1860?

In Chapter 14, the nineteenth century is seen as a time of “movement.” During this time period of 1790-1860, one witnesses great western development as well an tremendous increase in immigration from Europe. Population booms causing new social organizations to be founded as immigrants enter the workforce in which factory work becomes much more tires. This leads to the Industrial Revolution which spurs both Northeastern and Western economy as new American innovations arise. With these two major themes of the century, the Transportation Revolution becomes inevitable as both sides of an expanding country connect communal and commercial forces. The entrance of immigrants, whether it be Irish or German, onto the American stage during the nineteenth

In the Northeast innovations such as: textile machines broke out as a result of Samuel Slater’s English plans, the cotton gin and concept of interchangeable parts both created by Eli Whitney, as well as the sewing machine created by Elias Howe then perfected by Isaac Singer all stimulated other innovations making industrialization and manufacturing much simpler. Innovations to make tasks easier were also present in the West including one of the most important, the McCormick reaper which increased the amount of food produced in both the domestic and foreign markets. Although all of these smaller innovations were important to developing the economy, it was the transportation that really set America apart. For example, the Northeast’s economy was greatly furthered by the Erie Canal which linked the Hudson River with the Great Lakes. This effected the value of land along the route as well as industry within the state increased dramatically. Also, the idea of new farmland in the Old Northwest increased immigration population. This canal demonstrated how long-established local market structures could be “swamped by the emerging behemoth of a continental economy.” This economic development of the Northeast differed from the West because of the Northeast’s availability to resources that the West just didn’t have. However, in the West, their stagecoaches and later the Pony Express created economic development through carrying mail throughout the West, established communication not seen before as this increase of transportation increased. Although this would eventually die out to other forms of communication such as the Morse code, the Pony Express established by the West demonstrates how economic innovation can be created out of nothing also known as dusty, muddy tracks