American History

Though the Industrial Revolution has its origins in Great Britain in the mid 1700’s, it has had a huge impact on American history as well. During this time in American several inventions were developed and those innovations led to other advances sparking a revolution.

The Industrial Revolution began shaping American history in the mid nineteenth century. It specifically refers to advancement in the manufacturing of products. There was a shift from handmade production to machine operated factories and mass production.

One of the first inventions that aide in this growth process in American history were weaving and spinning machines. In 1793 Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. This machine separated cotton seeds from the fiber, increasing the cotton supply of the south. Eli Whitney also came up with the innovative concept of using interchangeable parts in 1798.

The Industrial Revolution was also responsible for much agricultural advancement as well. This included the reaper and the steel plow. Despite this fact, the Industrial Revolution led to countless Americans moving from farms into the cities.  This led to overcrowding and the spread of disease.

The Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on several factors in American history. For example, it led to the expansion of transportation. This included the development of the first railroads in 1811 and the first transcontinental railroad in 1869. The first steamboat was invented to increase river transportation efficiency. In addition, the Erie Canal was created from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes in an effort to increase trade.

The Industrial Revolution also impacted American history because it led to the ability to effectively harness and use electricity. In addition, the Industrial Revolution aided in advancements in the refining and acceleration processes resulting in the United States government passing several tariffs to protect its growing number of manufacturers.