Why did the North industrialize?

Industry became prevalent throughout the North for several reasons. Factors such as geography, climate, natural resources, population, and innovation played important roles in the development of industry in the North. The extensive system of waterways throughout the Northern region of the United States played an important role in industrialization. Factories relied on the water from rivers to maintain production and to transport materials and finished products throughout the region. The Hudson, Delaware, Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela Rivers were vital to industrialization in the North. The climate in the Northern region of the United States was much colder, which adversely affected agriculture production. In comparison, the Southern economy in the mid-late 1800's relied heavily on agriculture, while the North utilized natural resources to increase factory production. The abundance of forests and iron ore deposits found throughout the Northern region contributed considerably to industrialization.

Following the Civil War, the North experienced an increase in population growth. Immigrants were quick to find work in factories which increased the development of industrialization. The majority of the Southern population remained involved in manual labor on plantations. As new factories were built and business interests in Northern industry increased, innovation soon developed which further advanced industrialization. One example of innovation that led to increased steel production was the Bessemer process, which resulted in the growth of cities like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. All of these factors played important roles in the development industrialization in the North.