Industrializing Antebellum America : The Rise of Manufacturing Entrepreneurs in the Early Republic

This book explores the rise of manufacturing through the beliefs and practices of key industrialists and their families, exploring how they represented the diverse possibilities for the organization of a new industrial society. "This book explores the rise of manufacturing through the beliefs and practices of Samuel Colt, John Fox Slater, Horatio Nelson Slater, Amos Adams Lawrence, and their families. These entrepreneurs dominated the firearms and textile industries, but their influence extended beyond their respective enterprises. From the antislavery activities and business innovations of the Slaters and Lawrence to Colt's advocacy of Empire, they represented diverse possibilities for the organization of a new industrial society. Colt envisioned a free-wheeling casino and crony capitalism, the Slaters fused small town values and a new industrial discipline, and Lawrence promoted a Protestant vision of America guided by educated urban elites."--BOOK JACKET Cover 1 Half-Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 10 Introduction 12 Part I The Colts: Casino and Crony Capitalism 22 1 Colt Family Values 23 2 The Education of Samuel Colt 50 3 Samuel Colt: From Industry to American Empire 74 Part II The Slaters: From Paternalism to Contract 101 4 The Slaters of England and New England 102 5 John Fox and Horatio Nelson Slater: Paternalism, Philanthropy, and the Disciplinary Society 126 Part III The Lawrences: Manufacturing and the Moral Life of an Industrial Urban Elite 165 6 Amos and Abbott Lawrence: Philanthropy and Politics in Antebellum America 166 7 Amos Adams Lawrence: The “Puritan Warrior” and the Destiny of America 183 Conclusion 207 Notes 215 Index 256 Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction....Pages 1-10 Front Matter....Pages 11-11 Colt Family Values....Pages 13-39 The Education of Samuel Colt....Pages 41-64 Samuel Colt....Pages 65-91 Front Matter....Pages 93-93 The Slaters of England and New England....Pages 95-118 John Fox and Horatio Nelson Slater....Pages 119-157 Front Matter....Pages 159-159 Amos and Abbott Lawrence....Pages 161-177 Amos Adams Lawrence....Pages 179-202 Conclusion....Pages 203-210 Back Matter....Pages 211-262