INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY: LOWELL’S DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT

The industrial revolution contributed significantly to the growth of America. Lowell visited England’s textile mills in 1810, and he was pleased with British Technology, especially the use of an automated weaving machine known as the Powel loom, a frame used to yarn or weave thread into cloth. In the country’s early cities, enterprising merchants and capitalists ordered corporations to establish and control the productive forces of newly emergent industries. Inventive mechanics established new machines to make various goods cheaply and quickly. The Industrial Revolution in Lowell established a new set of orders. Initially, it was uncommon for the labourers and their employers to live in different homes, their dress code was almost alike, and one could not differentiate between the bosses and the employees. There was increased profitability due to the introduction of mechanization. This research study’s main objective was to examine Lowell’s transformation from an industrial city to an urban centre. Lowell is culturally diverse and attracts people from different cultural and ethical groups, including Asia and Ireland. The University of Massachusetts contributes to the city’s housing woes, thus providing growth opportunities.

CHAPTER ONE.

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Overview

This research paper examines Lowell City’s transformation from an industrial city to an urban centre.

This chapter includes the background information of the study, a statement of the problem, the significance of the study, research objectives, research questions, delamination of the study, and a definition of critical terms.

1.2 Background Information

The industrial revolution was a significant turning point for America and significantly contributed to its advancement in becoming a superpower. Clothes which are basic needs to everyone were the foundation for the Industrial revolution in America. The primary way to get made clothes was through the cottage industry. However, the cotton industry needed to be improved to meet the high demand for clothes due to the first growing American population during the late 1700s and early 1800s. There was a need for machines to accelerate the clothes-making process and stop their dependence on Britain to meet its quota. The solution to this issue was simple; Europe was thriving with these machines, so why not just purchase them from them?Simple: buy it from Europe, which already thrives with these technologies. With the aid of Nathan Appleton, Francis Cabot Lowell made a significant contribution to the First Industrial Revolution by building the most sophisticated mills in America on the models of the machinery he saw in England. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

Lowell visited England’s textile mills in 1810, and he was pleased with British Technology, especially the use of an automated weaving machine known as the Powel loom, a frame used to yarn or weave thread into cloth. The power loom did not exist in the United States then. Lowell could construct a functional power loom home in Massachusetts (Miles, 2). He then studied other textile production techniques to establish how to conduct large-scale production cheaply. Textile mechanic Samuel Slater had already succeeded in industrializing yarn-making or spinning, and other people in business followed his lead to establish the first factories in New England. Lowell knew he would need significant capital to establish a factory. Therefore he formed an organization of affluent investors known as Boston Associates in 1812. Two years later, the factory had constructed Lowell’s proposed water-powered mill. For the first time in American history, raw cotton bales could be converted into fabric bolts under one roof. The four-story brick mills’ Massachusetts home cities, Waltham and Lowell, inspired the name of the production method, which came to be known as the Waltham-Lowell system. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

Lowell, Massachusetts, which has long been known as “The Spindly Metropolis” and “The Queen City of the Merrimack,” began its century-long existence as an industrial city in 1935. Its beginnings and progress are the first instances in America of the expansion of a primarily industrial city that owes its life to its mills. Before those of Lowell, the first mills were built in New England industrial cities(Parker,2). An outstanding illustration of one of these cities is Pawtucket, Rhode Island. However, Pawtucket and other mill cities reached that status after Lowell’s spectacular early development gave it urban features and a city designation. No other city in America with an industrial history has existed for as long as a hundred years.

Various inventions are linked to the American Industrialization Society. Lowell, Massachusetts, is among the first Industrial Cities in America. Its history in the early 19^th century is an exciting fusion of political, commercial, and technical goals. However, its later twentieth-century history is one of diminishing hopes and expectations. Lowell has lately experienced an economic roller coaster with dizzying viewpoints during the 1980s (Pershey, 1). Throughout its history, it has represented, at fluctuating times, both the weaknesses and strengths of the American industry.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

As the Industrial revolution became stronger in America in the early 1800s, the young country’s economic and social fabric changed intensely. Although still mainly a country of farmers, America was gradually transforming into a city of city residents who worked intensely in large industries. In the country’s early cities, enterprising merchants and capitalists ordered corporations to establish and control the productive forces of newly emergent industries. Inventive mechanics established new machines to make various goods cheaply and quickly. Cotton textiles, which enabled boost America’s industrial revolution, fostered not only working-class wage labour in the country’s developing mills and also African-American slave labour on the cotton plantations located in the South. However, the most apparent physical transformation was taking place in the environment, as nature was being used to fuel the machines taking over urban workshops and industries.

1.3 Justification of the study

Scholars have developed much interest in the study of the impact of Lowell city on the industrial revolution in America. Lowell experienced a dramatic turnaround during the era of observation. Several scholars have cited Lowell as the model city for economic revitalization in the Northeast Northeast. In the early 1900s, scholars developed much interest in the study of Lowell, Massachusetts, and used it as an s model for capitalist industrial growth(Stanton, 1). Lowell advanced from the highest unemployment rate within the country in the 1960s to the lowest unemployment of any city in Massachusetts through most of the 1980s, including when the state had the lowest unemployment rate of any industrialized state. The development experience observed in Lowell during the mid-1970s up to the 1980s shows a common city interest in economic development. The local leadership in the city greatly affected its growth. Lowell provides a distinctive perspective on how local development initiatives and motivating, diagnosing, and organizing agents affect regional economic performance. Many individuals migrated to Lowell because of early industrial success and the promise of employment. There was an increase in employment in Lowell during World War II due to the increase in manufacturing employment by 11%. Lowell’s economic development is directly ascribed to a transformed appreciation of its history by its residents, which is good news, especially for public historians interested in the utility of history (Weible,27). Furthermore, not even the residents of Lowell recognized it in the following years. Weible 27 states that individuals like Jack Kerouac sustained a love-hate relationship with their city and pursued notoriety elsewhere. Although they changed their attitudes in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Lowell experiment was an effort to increase the textile industry besides profitability. Which was successful in that case. Although with new innovative ideologies, importation and exportation of products, upcoming civil war, and cheaper labour. Lowell would be a mere shadow of its once industrial glory. Lowell was among the first cities in the United States to experience the ravages of deindustrialization, besides being the first place globally to turn to its own ethnic and industrial history as a method for reinventing itself in the upcoming postindustrial economy (Stanton,1). The Lowell experiment is significant in exploring how culture and history have been utilized in remaking Lowell and how historians have played a significant yet ambiguous responsibility. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

1.4 Research Questions

This research study aims to answer the following research questions;

What is the role of the University in a city’s development, Mill conversion?
What strategies were taken for Lowell’s Urban Renewal and Revitalization, and what is the significance of these strategies to the expansion of Lowell?
What are the effects of the urbanization of Lowell on its residents?

How significant is the transformation of the mills to the development and urbanization of Lowell city?

1.5 Research Objectives

1.5.1 General Objective

This research study examines Lowell’s transformation from an industrial city to an urban one.

1.5.2 Specific Objectives

To determine the role of the University in a city’s development, Mill conversion.
To determine the strategies taken for Lowell’s Urban Renewal and Revitalization and their significance to the expansion of Lowell.
To investigate the effects of the urbanization of Lowell on its residence
To find out the importance of the transformation of the mills to the development and urbanization of Lowell city?

1.6 Significance of the study

Lowell’s industrialization success has been a significant turning point in the development of Massachusetts. Scholars have developed much interest in studying the developments of this city. Historians need to do more on the revitalization and Industrialization of Lowell. (Appleton, 1)reports that several unknown facts are linked to Lowell city’s history. The University of Massachusetts has played a significant role in the growth of Lowell. An analysis of secondary data will be done to get information on the urbanization of Lowell in association with its Industrialization. This will be obtained from socio-economic information, including census data, to give more practical information on the effects of Industrialization on the residents of Lowell.

1.7 Delimitation of the Study

The study will be conducted among the residents of Lowell to determine the impact of urbanization of Lowell on them. Furthermore, secondary data will be obtained from socio-economic information such as census data.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2. 0 Overview

A review of the literature used in this study is presented in this chapter. Scholarly studies linked to this work are critical since they guide the researcher in future studies related to this research. The chapter gives scholarly perspectives on how different scholars view Lowell’s urbanization affected the residents’ livelihood.

2. 1 Industrial Revolution

The industrial revolution in Great Britain inspired the Industrial revolution in the United States. Several entrepreneurs from the United States visited the manufacturing factories in Great Britain to learn and gain insights into how their textile industry was revolutionized. The discovery in Great Britain motivated the industrial revolution in America (Albrecht,18). Moreover, the Embargo Act of 1807, besides the Tarif Act of 1816, significantly boosted Industrialization in the United States. The early manufacturing ventures of America began in Massachusetts, and Lowell was specifically significant since it was located in a region with a constant water supply. There were a lot of raw materials needed for production in the region. Therefore the area was an ideal place to set up the industry. Francis Cabot Lowell and his colleagues set up the first milling industry at Waltham in Massachusetts, which was very successful. The most strategic move of the factory ensued after Moody and Jackson shifted their attention to Lowell (Montrie et al., 275). Lowell died in 1817, and his fellows shifted their operations to Patucket Falls and called it Lowell in respect of their colleague (Roseberg,10). Their success attracted several investors in the region. In 1825, Investors developed the Hamilton Manufacturing industry in Chelmsford, quickly changing the area, which was later incorporated as a city (Kalinowski,1). INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

2.2 Labor during Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution in Lowell established a new set of orders. Initially, it was uncommon for the labourers and their employers to live in different homes, their dress code was almost alike, and one could not differentiate between the bosses and the employees. There was increased profitability due to the introduction of mechanization. As a result, life changed for most individuals (Baxter,20). Their living conditions changed, and the employees and investors were separated from each other. Factory jobs were uncommon when Industrialization emerged in Lowell, and it could have been more attractive to most of the individuals in the area. When companies emerged their business, there was a massive shortage of workforce. This prompted industries to look for alternative ways to get labour. They decided to employ girls, although American values restricted women from working in factories; instead, they were to stay at home and take part in house chores and other home errands (Little,198). Although, the companies invested in building boarding houses for the ladies and adhered to the moral codes developed in the region. This attracted many ladies who became mill ladies. Most women employed in the antebellum era’s mills lived in several parts of England, first settled by whites in the decades following the revolution ( Montrie,278). This was attractive to young ladies because they had a sense of freedom. They were always off from their stern parents and had extensive opportunities to pursue a better education. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

When companies hired employees in the early stages of their establishment, they compensated them well and prioritized their welfare to the factory’s management. Although, in the 1840s, the working environment started to decline significantly, and most of the mill girls left their jobs. During this time, there were no structured labour unions for the employee’s welfare. During this era, the workers did not form structured labor unions that would fight for the worker’s welfare. Even though some unions were created during this time, they never actively advocated for the staff’s wellbeing. The factory’s management compromised most labor unions through violence and intimidation. Similarly, the employees could not accept this since some needed better salaries and good working conditions, whereas others advocated for more radical efforts to transform the existing economic systems (Beik,197). When mill girls quit their jobs, the business owners hired immigrants from Ireland who worked until the first world war.

2.3 The role of the University of Massachusetts in Lowell’s development, Mill conversion.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is a section of the Umass System, including five physical campuses and one online campus. The University is on over 125 acres of land right along the Merrimack River and in the centre of historic Lowell; it currently accommodates 17,000 students in 5 different colleges. The area in which UML is located underwent a severe transformation. Lowell is home to the second-largest Cambodian population in the U.S. Furthermore, and the region also experienced serious economic restructuring during that time (Silka et al.,5). The Massachusetts area is a crucial locus for manufacturing, although most high-paying jobs have gone overseas, leaving behind environmental pollution and high unemployment rates. The region is a high-cost area where business people must constantly establish new opportunities to replace the factories that have shifted to their regions. The University contributes to the city’s housing woes. A University is bound to its hometown, which can be both advantageous and detrimental. Lowell city served as an attractive selling point for potential new students. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

One of the most significant factors when a student decides what college they want to join is the location of their future institution and, for several individuals, the location in Lowell. The environment around Lowell offers the students of the University of Massachusetts more than most individuals may realize. Silka et al., 7 state that a university benefits its home city through employment opportunities, economic contributions, and research activities on the community’s issues. The University is a promised tenant to most private developers who have different sites next to the several campuses of the University. The University desired to develop rapidly because they intended to build new residential areas for the students since the city hosts more than 17 000 students (Howe,50).

The development of a city never ends. There has never been a time in the historical growth of the United States when an establishment of some kind was under construction in New York or Boston, and it is the same with Lowell. Projects such as the new sports fields on the east campus and the Criminal Justice building are among the most outstanding examples of the continuous growth of Lowell. The city’s constant expansion provides the city’s residents with a dynamic environment that is continuously transforming and improving, establishing new places to visit, occasions to attend, and items to buy. The University continuously grows, buying new structures like the Perkins to accommodate more students since the city is renovating old structures to attract more individuals. The developments of both the University and the city, in harmony, develop a connection between the residents of Lowell and the students of the University of Massachusetts since the two groups meet in public setups (Villa,5). INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

2.4 The revitalization and renovation of Lowell

Lowell was among the various declining industrial cities in the United States. It has regained a measure of success by retrieving and encouraging its architectural and cultural heritage to attract small business investment The renovations done on the old mill buildings, such as Mill No.5 and the new loft apartments by Boot Cotton Mill, are evidence that the city focuses at improving the lives of the residents (McNulty,1) Lowell has an extensive and rich history consisting of several firsts, more elbow grease, and barrels of inventiveness than several regions in the globe. The city was not only the emergence of the industrial revolution in America, but it was also a great textile supplier to the Northeast. It most significantly saw women providing labor to the mills (Villa,20). The Historic Preservation Commission played a significant role in renovating the city(Howe, 30). The significant number of immigrants to the city significantly contributed to the city’s growth. The city of Lowell and its history are engraved on these factors. The mills have an excellent foundation for the growth of Lowell. The city has revitalized its downtown, improving the quality of life, including the Spinners’ lives (Covell,1). The mill girls contributed significantly to the mill since they worked from dawn to late in the night to ensure the city remained late. The women were industrious and played a more significant part in the mills’ production. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

2.5 The difference between Lowell and other small cities

The identity of a city is similar to its society and history. Its history forms the foundation of its identity since it shows what it has been in the past, including its origin. Although a city draws its personality from the citizens, its history is drawn from it. Stereotypes exist for a purpose, and every big city has at least one. For instance, New York has pizza and show business, Boston has individuals putting on Red Sox hats, and Los Angeles is known for movie stars. Lowell, however, was known for high unemployment rates, including crime. Although this reality changed dramatically over the last few years, unemployment and criminal cases have been reduced in the city. It attracts foreigners and other groups who have experienced hardship in making a living and professionals in wood and glass arts. The migration of different groups of people to Lowell is culminating in a rapidly growing creative and diverse community of immigrants, creators, and students, each with their value to give the city and the University at its centre. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

Academically, Lowell offers more to students than just a shop class or history lesson. Every city deals with its fair share of poverty and crime, and Lowell boasts of this process. The most excellent argument against the city being a good place for college students is the crime levels in the town. Around the 18^th and 19^th centuries, it had high crime rates and was an unsafe area to live in, and today poverty and crime rates have drastically reduced (Areavibes,1).

The University of Massachusetts has dramatically contributed to the growth and improvement of Lowell city. Furthermore, the changes that have resulted from the existence of the University in the city benefit the students who participate in that healthy development. With the ability to further impact the transformations in the city, the University helps the city to advance the safety of both the permanent residents and the students. The significant interactions between the learners and the city, the more students join the University, the more Lowell city will grow and improve rapidly, ending in the perfect college city.

The most significant drawback for other small towns and cities is that they either depend entirely on the University or host a university within it. This is makes INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

2.6 How the transformations in Lowell, Massachusetts, affected the residents’ lives

With the return of British products to marketplaces and the end of the War in 1812, there was an intense need to specify the development of the textile industry. F.C. Lowell moved to D.C. to appeal taxes on finished cloth items. This would result in a promising future for Lowell’s wealthy Boston Manufacturing Company. The company sought a new location to construct its new textile mill based on the area around Pawtucket falls on River Merrimack. They constructed a dam and used water to power numerous manufacturing factories. An increase in the mill’s profitability resulted in the selling of hydropower and accelerated manufacturing industry due to the development of water power. With its fast development and industrial power, Lowell became the second-largest city in Massachusetts near Boston and America’s most significant industrial city (Mitchell,2). INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

Women who were to be model residents were employed in the textile mills. They were to reside in boarding houses owned by the company and, at the same time, attend cultural events and classes and conduct a tremendous amount of reading. They did severe searches for the area providing the opportunity for ladies to gain the American workforce, which was an untapped source of laborers. This was due partially because, at that time, ladies were teachers and homemakers(Pinchbeck,10). Although, they were also treated to fourteen-hour days and unhealthy working conditions, resulting in immature deaths. Even with that as a possible result, it allowed ladies to enter the industry.

The Irish immigrants dug a can to enable the city’s power mills, thus affecting the land directly. The region before that was huge but had rich land for farming besides a small population. They had to put engineers in place to ensure that flooding would not be an issue with the building of canals, a dam, and locks. This altered the water flow in favor of the industrial textile mills that would run along the canals within the city.

The city was booming with opportunities for employment besides innovation. There was cultural diversity, although rising issues needed to be more evident. Therefore many immigrants left Canada and European nations. This would lead to increased competition for inexpensive labor. Eventually, this would result in many demonstrations because of equal pay among men and women and work conditions. The ethnic division led to several strikes throughout the city and kept tensions at an increased level for the future. Although, the development of the city’s sub-divisions and innovative ideologies like the railroad that linked Lowell to the streetcar and Boston continued. The city’s mills ran along River Merrimack and were powered by hydropower, resulting in steam power. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

Like several cities, Lowell does not comprise only one denomination of human ethnic groups; it is a region where individuals and cultures come together to develop a unique and fascinating community (Melillo, 2). It has experienced influxes of persons from French Canadian Origins, Irish Origins, and the great Cambodians who attempted to escape the Khmer Rouge.

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.0 Overview

This section explains the research methodology used to conduct this study, including the research design, area of study, the population that will be interacted with during the study, sampling and sampling techniques, instruments for data collection, state of the instruments used in data collection data analysis techniques, procedures for collecting data, ethical practices, and the shortcomings.

To compile information on this case study, information on each topic was sought through a literature review(U.S. census official website, journals, and scholarly articles) and interviews with the locals, students, municipal council officials, Community Development Corporations, and the university administration Data was mainly collected during summer, and both the community and the University took place to ensure the success of the study(Silka, 6). The students interviewed were from different disciplines to ensure wholesome participation. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

3.1 Research design

A cross-section research design was adopted for this study. A research design is a method and strategy for determining the answers and solutions to research challenges. A cross-sectional research design is a study in which multiple respondents are interviewed, and their opinions on the researcher’s questions are solicited (Bethlehem, 2). Due to financial constraints, this research strategy is efficient since it is time and resource-efficient because respondents are interviewed concurrently rather than the researcher having to go from one location to another in search of data to evaluate. The descriptive design utilized to collect data included qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods are advised if a large population is involved and data triangulation is required.

3.2 Sampling Framework

Snowball sampling, also known as random-walk sampling, network sampling, and link-tracing sampling, will be used to locate the residents of Lowell and the individuals who had experience working in the mills (Craig,8). This sampling design helps reach the target population despite their location.

3.3 Methods of data collection

The study used but was not limited to four data collection methods to find the necessary data. Questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and observations were used to obtain data. The questionnaire provided to the respondents was vital for data collection. Questions that required elaborative answers, such as the impact of urbanization on the lives of the citizens, made up the qualitative data. In contrast, those requiring specific responses for an answer constituted the quantitative data and utilized quantitative data collection methods.

3.3.1 Questionnaire

The research involved a large sample size; therefore, a questionnaire was used to obtain the required information quickly. The respondents received the questionnaires to go and fill out at their time of convenience. After a week, the questionnaires were collected to kick off the data analysis stage.

3.3.2 Surveys

The surveys aimed to get the participants’’ feedback after participating in the study. It was shorter than the questionnaire since it needed a quick response to ascertain whether the questionnaires were tiring or okay with the respondent.

3.3.3 Interviews

Interviews were performed ten times in nine neighbourhoods for three months. The interviews were administered in October to individuals 18 years and above. During the period, the respondents were asked whether they had been previously interviewed, and if they had been interviewed, they were not interviewed (Mulvey,6). Both students and the public were interviewed to find out how the city’s development affected their lives. An equal number of males and females were interviewed during the process.

The interview was expected to be sufficient to obtain information from the respondents. This tool was only used for some of the population since it is versatile and requires verbal dialogue to collect the required data. When the interviewer is excellent enough, they can learn more about the information during the study that a questionnaire could not provide. Questionnaires limit people’s responses, but interviews allow people to say more about the topic. It also thoroughly explains various topics in a short amount of time.

3.3.4 Observation

Data was collected using an observation checklist. If the researcher did not make many assumptions, observation was an essential technique in data collecting; the researcher can learn about some things the respondents may be concealing. The researcher must meticulously record all they see regarding how people’s lives changed after the urbanization of Lowell City since all the activities in the city were well-observed, and no consultations were made.

3.3.5 Data collection instruments

Some instruments were used during the data collection stage of the study. The instruments used included;

Questionnaire

Most participants were given questionnaires to complete and return one week later. Questionnaires were the primary data collection tools for this study. The respondents were to be polled using both structured and semi-structured questions. The questionnaires were divided into two categories: qualitative and quantitative, and each respondent received one of each.

Observation Checklist

A list of questions was structured to please the respondent so they would only tick the appropriate practice observed they expected to see in the institution.

Interview guide

An interview guide was to be prepared to be used among senior community members, including the University administration, to find out their partnership strategies with the cities. The significance of the guide is that it helps the interviewer obtain sequential information from the interviewee. When unprepared, the interview could quickly end without the researcher asking about the critical areas on which the research was centred.

Procedure for collecting data

The study’s goal was communicated in detail to the respondents, and the anonymity of their responses was guaranteed. Ethical approval was obtained since the information required needed people’s consent to participate.

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.0 Overview

This section presents the observations and specific concerns offered by the methods applied for this study.

4.1 Results and Discussion

Lowell City, located in Massachusetts, was named after Industrialist and Merchant Francis Cabot Lowell, who was one of the first individuals in the United States to introduce the production of textiles in America. The city was founded as a structured city to produce textile products in the 1820s. This led to Industrial Revolution in the United States. Great Britain already had established manufacturing companies using the machine to produce textiles and mass production of Fabric before the Industrial revolution was introduced in the United States. Several entrepreneurs travelled from the United States to Great Britain, one of the wealthiest countries worldwide. The people in business visited the nation to witness how they manufactured their textiles. Francis Cabot Lowell was among the entrepreneurs who visited Great Britain, and he came back with the concept of imitating what was being done in the textile industries of Great Britain. Although it is noteworthy that most of the fabrics in the United States were produced in private homes and most inventions in Great Britain came up with new ideas for producing fabrics. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

The suitability of Lowell for manufacturing industries appealed to various businesses. The city developed very fast, and in 1836, it was included among the cities of Massachusetts. Lowell’s advancement to a city constantly attracted more stakeholders, and prior to the civil war, two more companies were established in the region. Most independent textile factories were also set up in the region and established their factories along the Concord River. The constant establishment of companies in the area led to its rapid growth in the following years. Scholars have stated that most individuals who set up companies in Lowell were non-residents. The distinct features, such as the availability of raw materials and plenty of water, attracted them to the area, hence the rapid development of the industries. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

Most individuals who invested in Lowell were Boston entrepreneurs renowned as Boston Associates. The members owned most milling companies in New England. They also possessed financial organizations, insurance companies, ship businesses, and railroads. Boston Associates had the financial strength to manipulate the company’s competitors and chased most of the small textile owners in the region. Other national investors later imitated the property manipulation when Industrialization began extending to other regions of the United States. They were compassionate to their mill employees and paid them well when the factories were established. Furthermore, the condition became better when cotton profitability rose. Most workers resigned from the mills industries during the civil war, which began in the 1850s since the cotton business decreased. The civil war disrupted the business since there was no cotton supply, and several factories were closed. Most Boston Fellows had died by the end of the civil war, and others started other businesses or retired. This led to some order in the industry, and Lowell production industries enjoyed massive production for almost five decades until the first World War.

The textile industry was significantly disrupted during the Civil war in the 1850s. Companies collapsed since there was no supply of raw materials. Although after the war ended, industries started producing textile products. The industry was only disrupted in 1873 and 1893, which took a short time. The markets were also picking up besides adequate transportation due to the availability of railroads. The first World War allowed the company to increase production rates. There was increased demand for the military’s fabrics during the first World War.

The demand for textile products outweighed the market supply, though there was substantial factory growth in several regions. The textile industry brought a significant effect on almost all the other industries in the city. There was significant demand for the raw materials that were used in the production of the fabrics. This promoted the farmers who relied on cotton for their subsistence. Moreover, the development of the factories attracted individuals from different parts of the country seeking job opportunities.

Lowell is among the youngest cities in Massachusetts, and puzzlingly, it was among the first to explore large-scale neighbourhood elimination. The history of its neighbourhood demolition started before World War II in immigrant regions, and redevelopment projects focused on immigrant individuals for several years(Axelrod,340). The most recent demolition, known as the Julian D. Steele reinvention, focused on poverty, politics, and money than the community’s Hispanic demographics.

The city expanded to host a large number of individuals seeking jobs; hence, the city was transformed. The ethnic composition also shifted during this time, and approximately twenty ethnic groups settled in the region. In 1917, approximately 20% of the population comprised native-born Americans, whereas the rest were immigrants. There were new structures to accommodate the increasing population and significant improvements in the transport industry. Investors introduced electric trolley cars and initiated the water system to sustain the increasing population.

The most recent population estimates show that Lowell city has a population of 113,994 citizens, and it does not have any rural population. There is a fascinating mix of the cultural diversity of the city’s entire population. For instance, the Asian population is highest on the East Coast. Furthermore, 22.2% of the city’s 27 526 individuals are foreigners. Whites constitute the largest population of Lowell city, which is estimated at 58. 2%. The youth make up the highest population, estimated at 20.9% compared to 11.4% of the individuals aged 65 years and above. Furthermore, children under five years constitute 5.8% of the whole population. Lowell’s prosperity grew all over the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, and floods of foreigners who came to industrial cities declined as manufacturing organizations moved to the Southern States.

The area where UML is based has experienced rapid change. Most of the youth in the Lowell education system are from minority groups. The area is also experiencing economic transformation. Massachusetts is a high-cost area in which to carry out business; there is a continuous need to develop new opportunities to replace the industries that have been relocated(Silk,2). The existence of the University in Lowell city has enabled women to carry out their businesses.

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION

Lowell is arguably the heart of America’s Industrial revolution. Most of America’s projects began their Lowell business before relocating to other parts of the nation. The Industrialization in the region created employment opportunities for locals and foreigners. Industrialization in Lowell improved innovation in the state and resulted in a positive ripple effect in other businesses. Framers who depended on cotton for their survival benefited greatly from the development of Lowell city. The railroads were also built in the city, and they enhanced the movement of individuals in and out of the city. The railroads also created new markets for processed products in the region and enhanced easy transportation of raw materials into the factories, reducing the production cost significantly.

During the first World War, several factories in America were tasked to manufacture clothing for the military officials who went to defend the country. The first World war led to several opportunities for those seeking job opportunities in the textile industry, and most of them got jobs because of high demand during that time. However, the Great Depression plunges the city’s success. Several factories were closed during the Great Depression, and others relocated to other towns. This forced the people to move out of the city to search for better and more abundant opportunities in other regions (Dublin,40). The business people introduced wool when cotton was reduced and became less appealing after the Great Depression, although this was not very significant to the city. INDUSTRIAL CITY TO URBAN CITY

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