How did the inventions and innovations of the mid 19th century encourage various regions to specialize in certain industries?

Answer 1

Henry Clay's "American System" caused the division of work during the 19th century. When inventions such as McCormick's mechanical reaper and John Deer's steel plow came about it helped wheat production in the fertile land in the newer territories (in the Northwest). This created the area known as the "Bread Basket" because with the use of the railroads it helped feed the industry workers in the north. During this time the Industrial Revolution was going on in the North due to the Samuel Slater's textile mills/machines. But someone had to supply the cotton for these mills and the parts used. Eli Whitney created the interchangable parts wich supplied the factories with easily replaceable machines which ultimately helped increase factory productivity (which was a good thing since the farmlands were rocky and unproductive in the Northeast). Eli Whitney is also well known for his cotton gin because it increased the south productivity and its number of slaves. To get the cotton to the mills they needed ome sort of transportatio, hence the transportation revolution. The south didn't have many railroads like the north did so they relyed on the invention of steamboats, canals, and better roads.