Impact of the Individual

In 1793 Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin and then five years later he came up with interchangeable parts. Whitney probably had the biggest role in starting the Civil war because of these to inventions which made the differences between the North and South grow at a rapid rate. The cotton gin made the process of growing and processing cotton much quicker but instead of taking advantage of an easier life style the South used this invention to make more money by buying more slaves to make more cotton. Interchangeable Parts became the basis of mass-production and assembly lines. It increased the output of factories and made repairing goods much easier. The American Industry grew rapidly thanks to Whitney. He had good intentions with both of these inventions which were exploited by wealth people to become more wealthy and increased the Sectionalism which led to the Civil War. (Jenna L.)

Global Interaction

The invention of the Telegraph by Samuel Morse in Philadelphia in 1844 revolutionised communication, throughout the United States and internationally. In 1858 Cyrus Field installed the first cable in the Atlantic Ocean from Newfoundland to Ireland, it permanently linked the American and European continents making communication almost instantaneous which would have made things a lot easier at times like the War of 1812 when major battles were being fought after the Treaty of Ghent had already been signed because news traveled so slowly. Communication within the United States and other countries became a lot easier. (Jenna L.)

Influence of Technology

The first railroad appeared in the United States in 1828, railroads were installed so rapidly that by 1860 there was thirty thousand miles of railroad, mostly in the North. Railroads were cheaper to construct than canals, quick, reliable, and usable all year long. They quickly became the most popular way to transport goods. The trains were very dangerous at first but the extremely low prices and speed to ship goods compared to the old methods of by roads was worth the risk. (Jenna L.) 

Conflict and Cooperation

Geography and the Environment

Political and Social Systems

Civil Rights and Liberties

Economic Development

Cultural Diversity

Crop failures in Ireland and Germany contributed to the huge population boom in the 1800s. About 3.5 million immigrants from Germany and Ireland within a thirty year period (1830-1860) came to the United States. They brought their own traditions, like the Christmas tree, and bad habits, such as very heavy drinking, into American culture. With increasing political power, Catholicism and competition for jobs, Nativists were enraged which led to mass violence especially in larger cities. Some suggested limits on the amount of immigrants allowed into the country. (Jenna L.)