Background of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution (1820-1870) was of great importance to the economic development of the United States. The first Industrial Revolution occurred in Great Britain and Europe during the late eighteenth century. The Industrial Revolution then centered on the United States and Germany.

The Industrial Revolution itself refers to a change from hand and home production to machine and factory. The first industrial revolution was important for the inventions of spinning and weaving machines operated by water power which was eventually replaced by steam. This helped increase Americas growth. However, the industrial revolution truly changed American society and economy into a m odern urban-industrial state.

The Industrial Revolution - An Overview

'The Industrial Revolution' refers to a period of massive economic, technological, social and cultural change which affected humans to such an extent that it's often compared to the change from hunter-gathering to farming. At its simplest, a mainly agrarian world economy based on manual labour was transformed into one of industry and manufacturing by machines. The precise dates are a subject for debate and vary by historian, but the 1760/80s to the 1830/40s are most common, with the developments beginning in Britain and then spreading to the rest of the world, including the United States. The real impetus for America entering the Industrial Revolution was the passage of the Embargo Act of 1807 and the War of 1812. Americans were upset over an incident with the Chesapeake whereby the British opened fire when they were not allowed to search the ship. They also seized four men and hung one for desertion. This resulted in much public outrage and the passage of the Embargo Act which stopped the export of American goods and effectively ended the import of goods from other nations. Eventually, America went to war with Great Britain in 1812. The war made it apparent that America needed a better transportation system and more economic independence. Therefore, manufacturing began to expand.

Industrialization in America involved three important developments. First, transportation was expanded. Second, electricity was effectively harnessed. Third, improvements were made to industrial processes such as improving the refining process and accelerating production. The government helped protect American manufacturers by passing a protective tariff.

The Industrial Revolutions:

The term 'industrial revolution' was used to describe the period by the 1830s, but modern historians increasingly call this period the 'first industrial revolution', characterised by developments in textiles, iron and steam led by Britain, to differentiate it from a 'second' revolution of the 1850s onwards, characterised by steel, electrics and automobiles led by the US and Germany.

What Changed Industrially and Economically:

The invention of steam power, which was used to power factories and transport and allowed for deeper mining. Improvement of iron making techniques allowing for vastly higher production levels. The textile industry was transformed by new machines such as the Spinning Jenny - and factories, again allowing for much higher production at a lower cost. Better machine tools allowed for more and better machines. Developments in metallurgy and chemical production. Creation of new and quicker transport networks thanks to first canals and then railways.

What Changed Socially and Culturally:

Rapid urbanisation leading to dense, cramped housing and living conditions. New city and factory cultures affecting family and peer groups. Debates and laws regarding child labour, public health and working conditions. Anti-technology groups such as the Luddites.

Causes of the Industrial Revolution:

The end of feudalism changes economic relationships. Higher population because of less disease and lower infant mortality allowed for a larger industrial workforce. The agricultural revolution frees people from the soil, allowing or driving them into cities and manufacturing. Proportionally large amounts of spare capital for investment. Inventions and the scientific revolution allowing for new technology. Colonial trade networks. The presence of all the required resources close together. Culture of hard work, taking risks and developing ideas

Important Inventors, Inventions, and Events of the Industrial Revolution

Cotton and Cloth

In 1794, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin which made the separation of cotton seeds from fiber much faster. The South increased its cotton supply sending raw cotton north to be used in the manufacture of cloth. Francis C. Lowell increased the efficiency in the manufacture of cloth by bringing spinning and weaving processes together into one factory. This led to the development of the textile industry throughout New England.

In 1846, Elias Howe created the sewing machine which revolutionized the manufacture of clothing. All of a sudden, clothing began to be made in factories as opposed to at home.

Interchangeable Parts

Eli Whitney came up with the idea to use interchangeable parts in 1798 to make muskets. If standard parts were made by machine, then they could be assembled at the end much more quickly than before. This became an important part of American industry and the Second Industrial Revolution.

From Agriculture to Cities

As industries and factories arose, people moved from farms to cities. This led to other issues including overcrowding and disease. However, advances were made in agriculture too including better machines and cultivators. For example, Cyrus McCormick created the reaper which allowed quicker and cheaper harvesting of grain. John Deere created the first steel plow in 1837 helping speed up farming across the Midwest.

Communication and the Industrial Revolution

With the increased size of the United States, better communication networks became ultra important. In 1844, Samuel F. B. Morse created the telegraph and by 1860, this network ranged throughout the eastern coast to the Mississippi.

Transportation

The Cumberland Road, the first national road, was begun in 1811. This eventually became part of the Interstate 40. Further, river transportation was made efficient through the creation of the first steamboat, the Clermont, by Robert Fulton. This was made possible by James Watts invention of the first reliable steam engine.

The creation of the Erie Canal created a route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes thereby helping stimulate the economy of New York and making New York City a great trading center.

Railroads were of supreme importance to the increase in trade throughout the United States. In fact, by the start of the Civil War, railroads linked the most important Mid West cities with the Atlantic coast. Railroads further opened the west and connected raw materials to factories and markets. A transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869 at Promontory, Utah.

With the great advances of the Industrial Revolution, inventors continued to work throughout the rest of the 19th and early 20th century on ways to make life easier while increasing productivity. The foundations set throughout the mid-1800's set the stage for inventions such as the light bulb (Thomas Edison), telephone (Alexander Bell), and the automobile (Karl Benz). Further, Ford's creation of the assembly line which made manufacturing more efficient just helped form America into a modern industrialized nation. The impact of these and other inventions of the time cannot be underestimated.

Industrial Revolution Inventors

Person
James Watt

Invention
First reliable Steam Engine

Date
1775

Eli Whitney Robert Fulton Samuel F. B. Morse Elias Howe Isaac Singer Cyrus Field Alexander Graham Bell Thomas Edison Nikola Tesla Rudolf Diesel Orville and Wilbur Wright Henry Ford

Cotton Gin, Interchangeable parts for muskets Regular Steamboat service on the Hudson River Telegraph Sewing Machine Improves and markets Howe's Sewing Machine Transatlantic Cable Telephone Phonograph, Incandescant Light Bulb Induction Electric Motor Diesel Engine First Airplane Model T Ford, Assembly Line

1793, 1798 1807 1836 1844 1851 1866 1876 1877, 1879 1888 1892 1903 1908, 1913