36C
36c - defend how technological developments impacted Georgia’s growth to include the cotton gin and railroads
Technological Developments
There were many technological advancements in society. Some examples are the Cotton Gin, Railroads, the Mechanical Reaper, Plank Road, the Corn Harvester, the Textile Mill, Turnpikes, and Ferries. Plank Roads were roads that went through wet, swampy places that had logs across them. Most of Georgia's roads were stagecoach trails that cut through Indian footpaths. Turnpikes were major highways set up by the federal government in the early 1800s. Turnpikes were roads with "pikes" or gates. When you arrived at a pike, you had to pay the toll to continue going on. Also, ferries were an important mode of transportation. In deeper river waters, ferries used a pulley and cable system. Ferries were unique horse-drawn log rafts that carried travelers across the rivers at their shallowest point, especially along the Flint River. Railroads
Georgia's increase in cotton production led to the need for faster transportation. This was important so cotton could get from the interior of Georgia to Savannah's port to be traded. The answer was railroads. Georgia's main railroad company was Western and Atlantic. Most of the track in Georgia belonged to the Western and Atlantic railroad, which was chartered in 1736. The Western and Atlantic Railroad ran from Chattanooga to the southeast bank of the Chattahoochee River. The stoppage point was called Terminus. Railroads dramatically shortened travel time for both passengers and freights. It also reduced hour long trips that had previously taken days. |
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney created the cotton gin as per a request from Mrs. Catherine Green Miller at Mulberry Grove Plantation near Savannah. The Cotton gin was able to remove the seeds from cotton, resulting in faster picking and a tremendous growth in the slave population. The cotton gin was originally called the cotton engine. but over time the name Cotton Gin stood out. |