Often the only employment open to immigrant women was in the clothing industry. The industrial age was full swing as products were brought together to be made under one roof. Labor laws at the time were insufficient and led to the rise of labor unions.

Was the same situation found in other industries? How were male workers of the same time period treated? What was the pay and cost of living?

The north and south developed in different ways the south with its good soil and longer growing season turned to agriculture for economic gain. The north with a shorter growing season, thin, rocky soil turned to manufacturing. The south needed a large cheap workforce to produce and cultivate labor intensive cash crops such as tobacco and cotton and therefore sought to protect slavery. The north didn't need slaves as much and could find a cheap workforce in newly arrived immigrants. The country became increasingly divided over slavery and their ways of life. Compromises, laws and acts were hammered out by congress but it would take a war to make the south give up its slaves.

The French and Indian War greatly changed boundaries in North America. The Louisiana Purchase more than doubled the size of the US and changed boundary lines.
The War for Texas independence and the Mexican- American War changed the southwestern part of the US.

Americans were on the go in the 19th century, always trying to improve their station in life. By acquiring new technology such as the stereoscope Americans could keep up with the Joneses. Popular culture was beginning to form as company's began putting their own spin on products and influencing the culture.

Students could view paintings, side view silhouettes, daguerreotypes, photographs, digital images.