The Industrial Revolution: From Britain to North America

Review Industrial Revolution began in Britain => became the world’s leading industrial power. Inventions and ideas that were developed in Britain were then taken to other parts of the world. Inventions and ideas taken to North America by new immigrants who were settling the land => began the development of American industry.

Movement of Industrial Knowledge to the United States The British government tried to prevent the spread of industrial technology to other countries Britain wanted to keep their intellectual advantage over the rest of the world

How Could Britain Try to Prevent the Movement of Industrial Knowledge to the US? Penalties if caught smuggling plans or blueprints of the new machines out of the country. Laws to prevent immigration of skilled workers to American colonies.

Samuel Slater: Traitor or Hero? Born in1768 When he was 15, he became an apprentice in a textile mill What is a textile mill? Learned of recruiting agents for the Americas A Philadelphia newspaper reported a handsome reward for anyone who could produce replacement parts for Hargreaves’ spinning jenny. Slater’s Goal: once his apprenticeship was complete (6 ½ years), he would immigrate to the Americas (seen as land of promise)

Samuel Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… 1789: at 21 years of age, Slater sailed to the newly independent United States (after the American War of Independence) Memorized the technical drawings of textile machines However, he needed his apprenticeship papers to prove to the Americans that he was a skilled textile worker He sewed them into the lining of his coat.

THIS is what Samuel Slater Memorized:

Samuel Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… Disguised himself as a farmer, boarded a ship, and arrived in New York in November, 1789 Heard that Moses Brown, a mill owner and Quaker from Pawtucket, Rode Island, was having trouble with his textile machines More about the Quakers: Known as the Religious Society of Friends. The Quakers are a group of Christians who use no scripture and believe in great simplicity in daily life and in worship. Their services consist mainly of silent meditation. There is still an active Quaker society today.

Samuel Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… Slater offered to help Brown with a money-back guarantee: “If I do not make as good a yarn as they do in England, I will have nothing for my services.” Brown hired him Brown introduced Slater to Orziel Wilkinson Wilkinson owned an iron foundry with his 4 sons

Samuel Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… The foundry was not as developed compared to British factories, but the Wilkinson’s were skilled & Slater redrew all the parts from memory The Wilkinson’s were able to build all the parts

Samuel Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… December, 1790 (13 months after Slater arrived in New York): Slater had Brown’s 72-spindle machine running properly 1793: Slater rebuilt the mill when it became inadequate to meet the demand for cloth Slater developed a partnership with David Wilkinson. Son of Orziel Wilkinson

Sam Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… 1809: 17 mills around Providence, Rhode Island, with a capacity of 14,290 spindles. Picture of Slater’s first mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Slater Mill: Pawtucket, RI

Slater Mill: Pawtucket, RI

Slater Mill: Pawtucket, RI

Slater Mill: Pawtucket, RI

Samuel Slater: Traitor or Hero? continued… April 20, 1835: Sam Slater died The textile industry in the USA became the foundation for other industries. So…. In YOUR opinion….. Was Sam Slater a traitor or a hero? Why or why not?

Water Power in New England The states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont are often referred to as “New England”. Together, they form the northeastern-most point of the United States. Water power was essential for the new textile machines. The New England states were fortunate; they had a large number of streams that would supply the needed power

Geography & Politics How did New England’s geography help foster the growth of the textile industry: A a

Considering an Essential Question Was the British government justified in passing laws to prevent the export of industrial technology? Agree with actions of the British government? Disagree with actions of the British Government? 1. 2.