America Changes from Farms to Factories — Reading Comprehension

During the 1800s, America started to change in a big way. Most people had lived on farms and worked with their families. They grew crops and raised animals. But new inventions began to change how people worked and where they lived.

One important invention was the cotton gin. Eli Whitney invented it in 1793. The cotton gin cleaned cotton much faster than people could by hand. This meant farmers could grow more cotton and send it to factories. Another big change came with the steam engine. Trains and steamships made it easier to move goods and people.

As factories grew, many people left their farms. They moved to cities to find jobs in textile mills and other factories. The city of Lowell, Massachusetts, became famous for its many mills. Young women, called "Lowell Girls," worked in these mills. They worked long hours but helped support their families. Factories also needed workers to use machines that made clothes, tools, and other goods.

Life in the city was different from life on a farm. Workers had to follow strict schedules. But their hard work helped America grow. People learned to solve problems and work together. Many inventors and workers showed great bravery and unity as they built a new kind of country.

These changes made America stronger. The move from farms to factories helped shape the nation we know today.

Interesting Fact: By 1900, more Americans lived in cities than on farms for the first time in history!

Who invented the cotton gin?

What city became famous for its mills?

When did more Americans live in cities than farms?

How did the cotton gin help farmers?

Why did people move to cities?

What did the Lowell Girls do?

The steam engine moved trains and ships. True or false?

What does 'unity' mean?