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Analyze the ways in which technology, government policy and economic conditions changed american agriculture in the period 1861 and 1900
American farmers in 1900
American farmers in 1900
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Cyrus Hall Mcormick changed the grain harvesting world when he perfected his invention of the reaping machine. Cyrus Mcormick invented the mechanical reaper in 1831 but continued to perfect it up until 1834 when he got a paten on the machine. The first mechanical reaper was pulled by horses so his invention was a huge step forward. Mcormick’s reaper allowed farmers to harvest up to 10 acres a day, which is a huge upgrade compared to before when farmers could only harvest only two-three acres a day.
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.
Evidence from Doc D, shows that over 100 million acres were harvested crops. How this was possible was advances in machinery. The tractor at the time was a new type of technology used to help farmers plant soil for crops. Since the soil was not watered because of the drought in the previous paragraph, this caused the soil to turn into dust.
Corn was a very profitable farm because of its great demand in European industrial countries. Due to the great demand for these goods, maintaining the process of planting, cultivating, and harvesting them became a significant burden for farmers and slaves laboring on a plantation or farm. As a laborer under such circumstances, Henry Blair came up with an invention that “ …increased farming efficiency by reducing the labor and time needed for production; his inventions also helped improve the livelihood of other farmers” (“Black History Month…”). Blair developed a machine that would drop seeds as it went and then cover them with soil, using a rake, in order to assist with the difficult work of planting corn in such big quantities. This especially facilitated planting, but over time it diminished the satisfaction of the agricultural employees' duties.
Starting at around the early 1800’s in America, the industrial revolution began when young mechanic Samuel Slater memorized how to build a mill from scratch. It produced so many different pieces of technology from the water frame to the use of railroads and train locomotives. These inventions and much more helped advance the human race into further and more complicated technology. Little did Samuel Slater know that his invention would start a huge progress through technology for almost a century. As mills became more successful soon machines that used mills were produced including the innovations listed in document 1.
Farm technology made a lot of progress from 1890-1920. Before this time, all the farming was done by hand. There were many inventions from wire to tractors to help make farming easier. Three inventions that really changed farming were gas tractors, cream separator and horse drawn combine. Gas tractors were created so that you didn’t have to use your horses so much and so you could pull more.
The mechanical reaper was a once-in-a-generation type of invention that changed the way farmers harvested their crops this invention made it easier for farmers to do their job. Which increased crop supplies to feed their families. The mechanical reaper was a sleigh-type of machine that hooked up to a horse with a blade invented by a farmer, Cyrus McCormick this amazing invention. Cyrus McCormick didn't need to be good at marketing or salesmanship, because he was such but Cyrus was very good at both that's why the mechanical reaper had so much success. And after this innovation, the farming industry only got easier and easier for farmers due to new inventions that improved upon the base mechanical reaper.
His achievements were partially due to the economic conditions of the time. In this era, many single farmers relied heavily on family members for labor during the wheat harvesting season. Wheat had to be gathered quickly at this time before it broke down and started to decay. Often, even with people working around the clock, much of the harvest would go to waste. Therefore, it was essential for wheat-related farm machinery, such as the reaper (Sobel 104).
New agriculture techniques were also introduced
George Washington Carver's most important legacy is his immense impact on agriculture. Carver did not only help farmers learn more about caring for their crops but he also gave new insights and uses for simple things crops produced. With this Carver even gave new jobs to people as now people had to do things such as make peanut butter from peanut crops. The advancements Carver gave to agriculture opened almost a whole new world to the condition of agriculture at his time. back then, though agriculture was a striving practice, many people were not original in the way they grew crops, and also didn't give much attention to the conditions of the crops, it's soil or it's plants.
In a time when America was coming out of the bloodiest war that was ever fought, against themselves, The Civil War, and when America looked overseas for a new frontier with Imperialism. It is in this context that America started to grow westward with farm land and in industry with the million of workers, but America still felt growing pains. Two significant ways in which farmers and industrial workers responded to industrialization in the Gilded Age (1865-1900) were the formation of organizations to protect farmers, and the creation of labor unions and the use of strikes to protect the workers. One significant way in which farmers responded to industrialization in the Gilded Age (1865 - 1900) was the formation of organizations to protect farmers. During Westward Expansion farmers fell victims to the low pricing of the crops.
During the 1800 many individuals shaped what we call today the American society and culture. Many settlers’ didn’t know how impactful this would affect in today’s society. Some of the greatest example that changed America was Roger Williams, Alexander Hamilton, Nathanael Greene, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Rolfe, William Penn, Benjamin Franklin, and least but not last Thomas Paine. They became well recognized during the 1800 due to their major judgments such as religious issues, politically, economically, and founding new lands in America. In addition, they also left a legacy for many founded colonies in the United States.
In the 1890’s they both created steam driven combines that no longer needed animal or human help. This was extremely efficient for farmers and the steam powered tractors were used extensively in hauling freight, plowing fields and harvesting grain. Benjamin Holt solved another problem with his great ingenuity. The Land in his area was always muddy and became almost impossible to pass when wet. This led to him building the first successful caterpillar style tractor, which was built on tracks instead of wheels.
Humans, and their societies, have altered the environment, and vice versa. Pre-Neolithic age, humans interacted with the environment as hunters, fishers, and foragers (living subsistently off their environment). As the Neolithic revolution, also known as the first agricultural revolution, began, humans exploited their environments either as farmers or pastoralists. Environmental factors such as climate, precipitation patterns, and vegetation shaped the methods and exploitation used in different regions. Exploitation of the environment intensified as populations grew.
Have you ever wondered what Agricultural Revolution was and if it had a positive or negative effect on human civilization? Well, the Agricultural Revolution had a huge effect on civilization. It was when humans discovered how to farm! This took place from about 10,000 B.C to about 3,000 B.C. I believe it had a positive effect on human civilization for a couple of reasons.
