-The Rapid Growth of Industry- I. The Industrial North A. Industry 1. Coal 2. Technological change & resourcefulness 3. Natural resources & raw materials 4. Labor - skilled v. unskilled B. Immigration 1. Character of workforce 2. Push/pull - 4.1 million between 1840 & 1860 3. Life of a wage earner 4. Urban Problems II. Agricultural Revolution A. Mechanization - McCormick & Deere B. Production - farm products for industry - wheat output rose 75% in 1850's III. Railroads A. Shift in internal commerce 1. Not a threat to canals 2. 1848 nearly all track east of Appalachians 3. Engineering problems lead to modifications B. Financing 1. Private & European investors; state, local, federal government; bonds C. The Economy 1. Manufacturing 2. Farming 3. Banking D. Sectional conflict 1. Western farmer turned businessman 2. Politics of the Railroad a. stimulated nationalism - economic ties between East & West b. no longer rely on Mississippi c. South is isolated - no RR; scattered population; slavery