Mills- Industrialism

1.  What are the five requirements for a successful mill?

Power; development; money, or capital; workers; access to raw materials; and a method of shipping finished goods. 

2.  Why would the South be a logical place to build a mill?  Why wouldn't they work there? 

The South would be a logical place to build a mill because that was where all the raw material was grown. But it was the Nothern areas such as New England that had the water power necessary for the mills to work. There was river water that dropped from mountains in the South but since the ground underneath was so soft and fragile, it did not really prove useful. 

3.  Why were mills built in New England? 

For one, the water power was a lot different compared to the South. The water had an abrupt fall because of the hard underlying granite. The climate was proving to help. Ample rainfall during the summer time made up for evaporation which meant that the water could keep flowing. Also deep lakes scooped out by glaciers acted as natural reservoirs on the upper parts of New England. 

4.  What is unique about the Merrimack River? 

Farmers could produce 2,500 horsepower from one site where the water plunged 30 feet. 

5.  Why was it difficult for F.C. Lowell workers to find jobs at first? 

No cities existed near the best water sites and also there were no means of transport to actually bring workers to the sites. People were also highly prejudiced against working in mills because of the bad situations people worked in mills. Many men were already employed and they needed their sons to help in their work.

6.  What was the problem with the English mills built in Rhode Island by Samuel Slater? 

Samuel Slater made a family system. He brought in whole families that were kept in dark, dreary tenements. Every member of the family worked for only a few dollars in a week.