How did manufacturing develop in New England?

A seminal event was the arrival of Samuel Slater from England. He basically memorized the English textile machines of the day. They and their plans were not allowed to be exported. read more

Manufacturing in New England was based upon access to water power. Large scale manufacturing occurred first in Rhode Island and then in the Blackstone Valley upstream. National Heritage Corridor These locations had the advantage of water power in addition to close proximity to ports - specifically Providence and Boston. read more

New England depended greatly on shipping & foreign trade for income, with the Embargo Act & the War of 1812, New England had to look elsewhere for profit Lowell Girls Young, single women from New England farms that had experience for the textile industry and were cheaper to hire than males. read more

Needed to find new sources of income. Before this time primary sources of income in New England were shipping and foreign trade but Embargo Act 1807 prohibited Americans from shipping goods to Europe and then during the War of 1812 the British had a navy blockade on the coast so ships could not get in or out of US harbors. read more