The Industrial Revolution was one of the most monumental time periods in America’s history. It took place from the 1760s to the 1870s, a period that lasted over a century. During this period of change, many of America’s people essentially became more technologically advanced, both at home and in working environments. People went from manufacturing goods at home by hand to creating products with machines in factories. It changed the lives of Americans because of its major impacts on manufacturing, transportation, and communications. Also, many rural areas all around the country became more urban, industrialized, and, overall, more technologically advanced.
Because manufacturers eventually made large profits on their goods, many people came to know America as the true “land of opportunity” and it drove others to succeed. One of the main people of this movement was Samuel Slater, a man who greatly influenced this entire period by bringing his ideas on manufacturing from Britain to the United States. He later founded “Slater’s Mill”, the first cotton mill in the country, in Massachusetts. The creation of Slater’s Mill perpetuated others all around the United States to make factories and mills of their owns in order to gain wealth and prosperity.
Transportation was another aspect of the Industrial Revolution that went through some serious change. Up until the time of this period of technological advancement, many products, goods, and even people were mainly transported from state to state by the use of horse-drawn carriages. Later on, though, the steamboat revolutionized transportation. John Fitch had attempted to build steamboats a few times; however they were very expensive. Due to the hefty costs that came with building and operating steamboats, Fitch was unsuccessful in his efforts. Robert Fulton, on the other hand, managed to build the first successful steamboat, which he named "The Clermont", in 1807. From there, the invention of the steamboat made the transportation of both goods and people much easier, quicker, and more efficient.
Finally, communication in the United States became more advanced as well. It was easier for people to get in touch with each other, thanks to the invention of the electrical telegraph in 1837 by Samuel Morse; which also led to the development of Morse code. The telephone was also invented after Alexander Graham Bell familiarized himself with speaking and hearing technologies.
Overall, the Industrial Revolution was a period of major transition in the United States, and it greatly affected the lives of many people across the country. Not only did it result in the improvement of manufacturing, transportation, and communication, but it also changed the work lives of thousands of people. The events that occurred in the Industrial Revolution was also, surprisingly, a driving force in the literature of another famous period known as the Romantic Period in America.
Because manufacturers eventually made large profits on their goods, many people came to know America as the true “land of opportunity” and it drove others to succeed. One of the main people of this movement was Samuel Slater, a man who greatly influenced this entire period by bringing his ideas on manufacturing from Britain to the United States. He later founded “Slater’s Mill”, the first cotton mill in the country, in Massachusetts. The creation of Slater’s Mill perpetuated others all around the United States to make factories and mills of their owns in order to gain wealth and prosperity.
Transportation was another aspect of the Industrial Revolution that went through some serious change. Up until the time of this period of technological advancement, many products, goods, and even people were mainly transported from state to state by the use of horse-drawn carriages. Later on, though, the steamboat revolutionized transportation. John Fitch had attempted to build steamboats a few times; however they were very expensive. Due to the hefty costs that came with building and operating steamboats, Fitch was unsuccessful in his efforts. Robert Fulton, on the other hand, managed to build the first successful steamboat, which he named "The Clermont", in 1807. From there, the invention of the steamboat made the transportation of both goods and people much easier, quicker, and more efficient.
Finally, communication in the United States became more advanced as well. It was easier for people to get in touch with each other, thanks to the invention of the electrical telegraph in 1837 by Samuel Morse; which also led to the development of Morse code. The telephone was also invented after Alexander Graham Bell familiarized himself with speaking and hearing technologies.
Overall, the Industrial Revolution was a period of major transition in the United States, and it greatly affected the lives of many people across the country. Not only did it result in the improvement of manufacturing, transportation, and communication, but it also changed the work lives of thousands of people. The events that occurred in the Industrial Revolution was also, surprisingly, a driving force in the literature of another famous period known as the Romantic Period in America.
- © 2015 Microsoft
- Terms
- Privacy & cookies
- Developers
- English (United States)