Chapter 7
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after 1840. Using improved tools and
machinery allowed farmers to prepare,
plant, andharvest their fields faster.
FromHome Industries
to Large Factories
B
efore the 1860s, most of the people
of Pennsylvania earned their living
as farmers, traders, or craftsmen. All
of this was on a small scale. During the
1850s,manybusiness peoplebegan tobuild
large factories and to form companies. They
hired workers tomake more products on a
greater scale. In the 1850s, the Industrial
Revolution really began.
The Industrial Revolution meant that
many people moved from an agricultural
society, where they provided for
themselves. They switched to an industrial
society, where they made goods in large
factories. They were paid a wage, or a
certain amount of money, for their work.
In the 1840s, the
textile
industry of
Pennsylvaniawas one of the first industries
to change to large-scale production. The
making of cloth and fabric was done by
people andmachines in factories. Factories
continued to expand and produce all kinds
of clothingmaterial. By 1900, Pennsylvania
led the nation in the production of textiles.
ReviewQuestions
1. As the canals developed, did the ConestogaWagon totally disappear from
transporting goods?
2. For what are John Fitch and Robert Fulton known?
3. What was the importance of the steamboat in the development of Pittsburgh?
4. What transportation systemnext improved themovement of goods and people?
5. Why did the first locomotives not work on the railroads?
6. How did the railroads help the industrial growth of Pennsylvania?
7. What natural resource has been plentiful in our state since the colonial days?
8. How did trees and coal help in producing thismetal?
9. Name the two kinds of coal that helped build the industries of Pennsylvania.
10. Explainhow lumberingwas such an important industry.
11. For what is Samuel Kier known?
12. For what is EdwinDrake known?
13. What was the Industrial Revolution in Pennsylvania?
14. How did the Industrial Revolution change theway peopleworked in our state?
