University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Era of Expansion and Reform
This resource, a speech by Woodrow Wilson to Congress on April 8, 1913, gives a great review of how the United States transformed from from a rural country to an urban one. It includes a review of industrialization, new inventions,...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Era of Expansion and Reform
Information about the period in United States history between the Civil War and World War I. The United States was transformed from a rural republic to an urban state.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: Toilers of the Sea by Victor Hugo
Read the full text of "Toilers of the Sea" by Victor Hugo. Set after the Napoleonic Wars, this novel addresses the effects of the Industrial Revolution on the island of Guernsey.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: The Gray Mills of Farley by Sarah Orne Jewett
Read the full text of the short story "The Gray Mills of Farley" about a textile mill at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Karl Marx: Father of Communism
Summarizes the capitalist conditions, brought on by the Industrial Revolution, that led to the fostering of the socialist ideas espoused by Karl Marx, and to the writing of The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels.
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: West River 1776 1896: Study of Early Industry
Presents detailed information on the development of industry in Westville, Connecticut 1776-1896. Discusses where and why development happened. Includes lesson plans, but slides referred to are not provided.
BBC
Bbc History: History Trails: Victorian Britain: Britain as Workshop of the World
Articles about the era of industrialization, new products and new transportation are coupled with cartoons and an explanation on how to use this primary source. An activity and quiz are also available from the sidebar.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Spice Up the Nineteenth Century!
Young scholars will make interactive outlines using the Internet of the reform movements, literature, trails, religion or technology of the early nineteenth century.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook
A rich Fordham University site of primary source material that include full-text, and multimedia sites. There are additional study and research guides such as Modern History in the Movies.
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Chapter 6: The Relatively Recent Arrival of Economic Growth
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following: Explain the conditions that have allowed for modern economic growth in the last two centuries and analyze the influence of public policies in the long-run economic growth...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The First American Factories
The growth of cities and the American economy in the first half of the 19th century was driven by the growth of factories. Read about the textile industry in New England and how manufacturing spread throughout the north.
Digital History
Digital History: The Rise of Big Business
This resource provides information about the rise of big business in America after the Civil War. Read about the modern corporation, increased mechanization, and consumer products.
Digital History
Digital History: The Movement for a Ten Hour Day
A brief look at the success the workers in several industries had in reducing their work day to ten hours.
Other
Lecture Notes: Textile Factories Come to the u.s.
Clemson University provides a historical overview of the wave of textile factories, including Slater and Lowell, that cropped up in the northeast. Hyperlinks to additional information.
Other
University at Albany: Recruitment of Female Operatives in the 1840's
Tells the story of Lowell Mill factory and the "capturing" of poor white females to "work" in the factories. From "Voice of Industry," January 2, 1846.
Digital History
Digital History: Social Mobility in the North
Read about the ideal of social equality in the North in the early and mid-1800s and determine if upward mobility was really a possibility for even unskilled laborers.
National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art: The Impact of Inventions
A promotional painting by George Inness will introduce students to a new invention from the nineteenth century, the locomotive.
National Gallery of Art
National Gallery of Art: Rolling on the River
Students will explore how westward expansion increased the number of jobs available in the nineteenth century, including being a flat boatman through a painting by George Caleb Bingham.
Marxists Internet Archive
Marxists Internet Archive: The Principles of Communism
This site from the Marxists Internet Archive provides the Principles of Communism, written by Frederick Engels, defines Proletariats in the second section of this page. Defines proletarianism, and then answers more detailed questions...
BBC
Bbc: Bitesize History: The Chartists
Explains who the Chartists were and their first efforts to try to persuade the British Parliament to enact reforms for the working class. Their three petitions failed to move Parliament but increased the resolve of others to push for...
BBC
Bbc: Bitesize History: The Chartists: The Roots of Chartism
Discusses how Chartism took hold in Britain and the people who championed the movement.
BBC
Bbc: Bitesize History: The Chartists: The Charters
Describes the three Charter petitions that the Chartists presented to Parliament between 1839 and 1848 and the government's response to each one.
Digital History
Digital History: The Introduction of the Factory System
The factory system revolutionized manufacturing and the employment of unskilled workers to man the factories. Read about the young children, women, and, later, immigrants who provided the labor to the textile mills and other...
Victorian Web
Brown University: Victorian Web: Chadwick's Report on Sanitary Conditions
This site from the Victorian Web provides a summary of Edwin Chadwick's report on the sanitary conditions of the working class in 19th century England. Links are also provided for additional information on this subject.