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Industrial Revolution Changed America's Economy

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Without the Industrial Revolution, majority of the people today would have to work on their farms for a living. There would be no factory production, no new types of transportation, and no jobs for the poor. The Industrial Revolution was a time of change and economic growth. New types of transportation were development, machinery slowly began to take the place of workers, and factories had been adopted into society. Businesses began to boom with these new inventions as time progressed. Materials were also shipped fast and efficiently because of the new ways of transportation. Not only did the Industrial Revolution shape the country’s economy, it also changed many people’s lives- especially the poor. The Industrial Revolution, “redefined how …show more content…

Before the Industrial Revolution, people had to haul materials and goods by boats, rivers, horses, etc. Because of the new inventions made, people could now ship them across the ocean efficiently. Many poor people could now focus on other jobs and tasks because of the new improvements of transportation. “Before the advent of the steam engine, raw materials and finished goods were hauled and distributed via horse-drawn wagons, and by boats along canals and rivers. In the early 1800s, American Robert Fulton (1765-1815) built the first commercially successful steamboat, and by the mid-19th century, steamships were carrying freight across the Atlantic” (History.com Staff). The invention of transportation impacted many poor people positively. The Industrial Revolution also made travel and the shipping of freight more affordable. The new types of transportation were offered to people with a very low cost. “Freight costs dropped from about $100 per ton to just $15 per ton. Suddenly farmers in the Midwest could sell to cities in the East” (Arnold). Many poor farmers, who once were not able to ship their materials to the cities, could now do so by paying a very low price. This revolution truly helped many of the poor and struggling people to now supporting themselves in many …show more content…

Because of the factory production and the new development of transportation, the poor people found jobs and also a way to support themselves and their families. The new development of transportation also lowered the prices of travel and shipping of freight which also benefit the poor. This was a very important time in history because it helped modernize transportation and invented new types of occupation for poor people. The Industrial Revolution was the building block to the technological advancements we have

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