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4.5 Market Revolution: Industrialization

7 min readdecember 23, 2022

Milo Chang

Milo Chang

Robby May

Robby May

S

Sally Kim

Milo Chang

Milo Chang

Robby May

Robby May

S

Sally Kim

The marked Americans moving away from self-sufficient agriculture to production of goods for sale. played a key role in driving this economic transformation. Many of them embraced new technologies and business models, and they sought out new markets and opportunities for expansion.

For example, the development of and made it possible for to build large-scale transportation networks, connecting the East Coast with the West and enabling the growth of commerce and industry across the country.

The also had a significant impact on the way people lived and worked. The growth of industry and commerce led to the development of new forms of transportation, such as steamboats and , which made it easier for people to travel and for goods to be transported from one place to another.

The also contributed to the growth of cities and the development of a , as people had more disposable income to spend on goods and services.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Market Revolution

Technology

The occurred in Britain, and machines could effectively be used to create thread and fabric faster. This boosted the textile markets. The growth of the textile industry in Britain during the had a significant impact on demand for cotton from the United States. As the demand for textiles increased, so did the demand for raw materials, such as cotton. The United States was a major producer of cotton, and the demand for this commodity from Britain and other countries helped to fuel the growth of the in the United States.

The reached the United States in the early 19th century, leading to the development of new technologies and manufacturing processes that greatly increased the efficiency and output of industry. This, in turn, led to the growth of large-scale enterprises and the emergence of a market economy in which the production and exchange of goods was guided by the principles of supply and demand.

Inventions

Some of the key innovations that were introduced during this time include:

  • Textile machinery: The invention of the power loom and other textile machinery greatly increased the efficiency of the textile industry and led to the growth of large-scale factories.

  • Steam engines: The development of steam engines revolutionized transportation and industry, making it possible to power ships, trains, and factories with steam instead of horses or other animals. The development of made it possible to power cotton mills and other factories with steam instead of water or other sources of power. This made it easier to produce and process cotton on a large scale, and it contributed to the growth of the .

  • Interchangeable parts: The development of interchangeable parts made it possible to mass-produce goods more efficiently and at a lower cost.

  • The : The was a revolutionary new communication technology, patented by , that made it possible to transmit messages over long distances almost instantly. By sending electrical signals through wires, news could travel faster than ever before.

  • : A number of innovations were introduced during this time that helped to increase the efficiency and productivity of agriculture, including new types of plows, harvesters, and threshing machines. The harvested grain faster and made wheat cheaper. The , which was invented by in 1793, was a machine that separated the seeds from raw cotton fiber, greatly increasing the efficiency of the process and making it possible to produce larger quantities of cotton.

Roads, Canals, and Railroads

The United States government took a number of steps to support the development of transportation infrastructure, including roads, canals, and . This was done through legislation and judicial systems that provided funding and legal frameworks for the construction and operation of these transportation networks.

The development of transportation networks played a key role in extending and enlarging markets and fostering regional interdependence. By making it easier to transport goods and people from one place to another, these networks helped to connect different regions of the country and facilitated the growth of commerce and industry.

However, it is worth noting that the transportation networks that were developed during this time tended to link the North and Midwest more closely than they linked regions in the South. This was due in part to the fact that the South was primarily an agricultural region, while the North and Midwest were more industrialized.

As a result, the transportation infrastructure in the North and Midwest was more developed, and these regions were more closely connected to each other and to the rest of the country. In contrast, the South remained relatively isolated and had fewer transportation links to other regions.

Roads

Prior to this time, the majority of roads in the United States were dirt or mud paths that were often impassable in inclement weather. However, as the country's population and economy grew, there was an increasing need for better transportation infrastructure.

To meet this need, the government began to invest in the construction and improvement of roads. In 1806, Congress established the National (Cumberland) Road, which was a major east-west route that ran from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois. The National Road was the first federally funded road in the United States, and it was paved with stone, making it one of the first all-weather roads in the country. It was a major route to the west, extending more than a 1000 miles from Maryland to Illinois.

In addition to the National Road, a number of other roads were built or improved during this time, including the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike and the Great Western Turnpike. Pennsylvania’s Lancaster Turnpike connected Philadelphia with the rich farmlands around Lancaster. These roads were often toll roads, and the fees collected from users were used to pay for their construction and maintenance.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FErie-Canal.jpg?alt=media&token=44c58433-9c2a-4377-bcf0-b73901e39fe8

Engraving based on W.H. Bartlett, “Lockport, Erie Canal,” 1839. Wikimedia.

Canals

The completion of the led to a canal-building boom. The ran from Albany, New York to Buffalo, New York, and it provided a transportation route between the East Coast and the Great Lakes region. The was a major engineering feat of the time, and it greatly increased the efficiency of transportation between these two regions, making it easier to move goods and people from one place to another.

In addition to the , a number of other canals were built or improved during this time, including the , the , and the . These canals provided transportation routes between different parts of the country and facilitated the growth of commerce and industry.

By 1835, canals connected most rivers and lakes east of the Mississippi River. It allowed for a decrease in food prices and migration towards the West. But it was short-lived since proved to be better transportation.

Railroads

could send products directly and became the best form of transportation. The first railroad chartered in the United States was the , which was chartered in 1827 and began operating in 1830.

In the decades that followed, the railroad network in the United States expanded rapidly. A number of new were built, including the , the , and the . These provided transportation routes between different parts of the country and helped to facilitate the growth of commerce and industry.

made any city a trading center, so companies took advantage of this by building and towns nearby. were more common in the North than in the South.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Women & the Market Revolution Practice LEQ

Interregional Trade

The growth of the in the Southern United States played a significant role in the development of national and international commercial ties. The demand for cotton, which was used to make a wide range of products, including clothing, bedding, and other household goods, was high, and Southern cotton producers were able to meet this demand by increasing production.

The growth of the in the South had a number of knock-on effects on other parts of the country. For example, it helped to fuel the growth of the manufacturing, banking, and shipping industries in the North. Cotton was a major export for the United States, and Northern banks and shipping companies played a key role in financing and transporting it to other countries. The growth of these industries, in turn, helped to further strengthen the commercial ties between the North and South and between the United States and other countries.

Slavery played a significant role in the economic and social development of the United States during this period. In the South, where the vast majority of the nation's enslaved population lived, was used to produce a number of crops, including cotton, tobacco, and rice.

These crops were grown on large plantations and were important exports for the United States, helping to fuel the growth of industries such as manufacturing, banking, and shipping in the North.

The use of was central to the economic success of the Southern plantation system, and it was an integral part of the market economy that developed in the United States during this time. However, it is important to recognize that slavery was an inhumane system that denied enslaved people their basic human rights and freedoms. It was also a major source of conflict and division in the United States, and ultimately led to the Civil War.

Key Terms to Review (23)

Agricultural Inventions

: Agricultural inventions refer to tools or methods created specifically for farming practices which improved efficiency and productivity during different periods in history.

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad

: The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) was one of the oldest railroads in the United States with an original line from Baltimore City to Wheeling or Parkersburg on Ohio River.

Boston and Maine Railroad

: The Boston and Maine Railroad was a U.S. Class I railroad in northern New England from 1836 until 1983. It served all six New England states for more than 150 years.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

: The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal is another man-made waterway that provided transportation between Washington D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland from 1831 until 1924. It served primarily to transport coal from mines along its route to market.

Consumer Culture

: Consumer culture refers to a social arrangement where buying and consuming goods and services is not only essential but also seen as desirable for personal happiness or social status.

Cotton Gin

: The cotton gin is a machine that was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 to separate cotton fibers from their seeds, which significantly sped up the process of producing cotton.

Cotton Industry

: The cotton industry refers to the economic sector that involves the cultivation and processing of cotton, a key raw material for textiles. In the context of US history, it played a significant role in the Southern economy during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Delaware and Raritan Canal

: The Delaware and Raritan Canal is a man-made waterway in New Jersey that was built in the 19th century to transport goods between Philadelphia and New York.

Eli Whitney

: Eli Whitney was an American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin. His invention greatly increased the efficiency of cotton harvesting and contributed to the economic development of Southern states.

Entrepreneurs

: Entrepreneurs are individuals who create new businesses, bearing most of the risks and enjoying most of the rewards. They are innovators who drive economic growth by spotting opportunities others miss.

Erie Canal

: The Erie Canal is a man-made waterway in New York that connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. Completed in 1825, it played a significant role in westward expansion and economic growth by providing an efficient means of transporting goods.

Industrial Revolution

: The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and transport had a profound effect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions starting in the United Kingdom before spreading throughout Europe, North America, and eventually the world.

Interregional Trade

: Interregional trade refers to the exchange of goods, services, and capital between different regions within a country.

Market Revolution

: The Market Revolution refers to the period in 19th-century American history when an agrarian society of small producers evolved into an industrialized nation of consumers.

McCormick Reaper

: The McCormick reaper was a mechanical horse-drawn reaping machine invented by Cyrus McCormick in 1831. It revolutionized farming by drastically increasing the speed at which crops could be harvested.

Morris Canal

: The Morris Canal was a 102-mile canal across northern New Jersey that connected the Delaware River with the Hudson River. Completed in 1831, it was primarily used to transport coal, iron ore, and other goods.

New York and Erie Railroad

: The New York and Erie Railroad was chartered in 1832 to connect the Hudson River with Lake Erie, providing a critical transportation route from the Midwest to East Coast.

Pennsylvania Railroad

: The Pennsylvania Railroad was a major railroad company established in 1846 that operated primarily in the Northeast and Midwest United States. It was known for its innovation, efficiency, and profitability.

Railroads

: A railroad is a track or set of tracks made of steel rails along which passenger and freight trains run. Railroads were instrumental in the industrial development and westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century.

Samuel Morse

: Samuel Morse was an American inventor and artist who is best known for inventing the Morse code and helping develop the commercial use of telegraphy.

Slave Labor

: Slave labor refers to work performed by enslaved individuals against their will under threat of punishment. In American history, it was primarily used in agriculture - particularly in Southern states' plantation economies.

Steam-powered engines

: A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. Invented during the Industrial Revolution, it was one of the key drivers of industrialization.

Telegraph

: The telegraph was a long-distance communication device invented in the 19th century that used coded signals to send messages across wires.

4.5 Market Revolution: Industrialization

7 min readdecember 23, 2022

Milo Chang

Milo Chang

Robby May

Robby May

S

Sally Kim

Milo Chang

Milo Chang

Robby May

Robby May

S

Sally Kim

The marked Americans moving away from self-sufficient agriculture to production of goods for sale. played a key role in driving this economic transformation. Many of them embraced new technologies and business models, and they sought out new markets and opportunities for expansion.

For example, the development of and made it possible for to build large-scale transportation networks, connecting the East Coast with the West and enabling the growth of commerce and industry across the country.

The also had a significant impact on the way people lived and worked. The growth of industry and commerce led to the development of new forms of transportation, such as steamboats and , which made it easier for people to travel and for goods to be transported from one place to another.

The also contributed to the growth of cities and the development of a , as people had more disposable income to spend on goods and services.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Market Revolution

Technology

The occurred in Britain, and machines could effectively be used to create thread and fabric faster. This boosted the textile markets. The growth of the textile industry in Britain during the had a significant impact on demand for cotton from the United States. As the demand for textiles increased, so did the demand for raw materials, such as cotton. The United States was a major producer of cotton, and the demand for this commodity from Britain and other countries helped to fuel the growth of the in the United States.

The reached the United States in the early 19th century, leading to the development of new technologies and manufacturing processes that greatly increased the efficiency and output of industry. This, in turn, led to the growth of large-scale enterprises and the emergence of a market economy in which the production and exchange of goods was guided by the principles of supply and demand.

Inventions

Some of the key innovations that were introduced during this time include:

  • Textile machinery: The invention of the power loom and other textile machinery greatly increased the efficiency of the textile industry and led to the growth of large-scale factories.

  • Steam engines: The development of steam engines revolutionized transportation and industry, making it possible to power ships, trains, and factories with steam instead of horses or other animals. The development of made it possible to power cotton mills and other factories with steam instead of water or other sources of power. This made it easier to produce and process cotton on a large scale, and it contributed to the growth of the .

  • Interchangeable parts: The development of interchangeable parts made it possible to mass-produce goods more efficiently and at a lower cost.

  • The : The was a revolutionary new communication technology, patented by , that made it possible to transmit messages over long distances almost instantly. By sending electrical signals through wires, news could travel faster than ever before.

  • : A number of innovations were introduced during this time that helped to increase the efficiency and productivity of agriculture, including new types of plows, harvesters, and threshing machines. The harvested grain faster and made wheat cheaper. The , which was invented by in 1793, was a machine that separated the seeds from raw cotton fiber, greatly increasing the efficiency of the process and making it possible to produce larger quantities of cotton.

Roads, Canals, and Railroads

The United States government took a number of steps to support the development of transportation infrastructure, including roads, canals, and . This was done through legislation and judicial systems that provided funding and legal frameworks for the construction and operation of these transportation networks.

The development of transportation networks played a key role in extending and enlarging markets and fostering regional interdependence. By making it easier to transport goods and people from one place to another, these networks helped to connect different regions of the country and facilitated the growth of commerce and industry.

However, it is worth noting that the transportation networks that were developed during this time tended to link the North and Midwest more closely than they linked regions in the South. This was due in part to the fact that the South was primarily an agricultural region, while the North and Midwest were more industrialized.

As a result, the transportation infrastructure in the North and Midwest was more developed, and these regions were more closely connected to each other and to the rest of the country. In contrast, the South remained relatively isolated and had fewer transportation links to other regions.

Roads

Prior to this time, the majority of roads in the United States were dirt or mud paths that were often impassable in inclement weather. However, as the country's population and economy grew, there was an increasing need for better transportation infrastructure.

To meet this need, the government began to invest in the construction and improvement of roads. In 1806, Congress established the National (Cumberland) Road, which was a major east-west route that ran from Cumberland, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois. The National Road was the first federally funded road in the United States, and it was paved with stone, making it one of the first all-weather roads in the country. It was a major route to the west, extending more than a 1000 miles from Maryland to Illinois.

In addition to the National Road, a number of other roads were built or improved during this time, including the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike and the Great Western Turnpike. Pennsylvania’s Lancaster Turnpike connected Philadelphia with the rich farmlands around Lancaster. These roads were often toll roads, and the fees collected from users were used to pay for their construction and maintenance.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FErie-Canal.jpg?alt=media&token=44c58433-9c2a-4377-bcf0-b73901e39fe8

Engraving based on W.H. Bartlett, “Lockport, Erie Canal,” 1839. Wikimedia.

Canals

The completion of the led to a canal-building boom. The ran from Albany, New York to Buffalo, New York, and it provided a transportation route between the East Coast and the Great Lakes region. The was a major engineering feat of the time, and it greatly increased the efficiency of transportation between these two regions, making it easier to move goods and people from one place to another.

In addition to the , a number of other canals were built or improved during this time, including the , the , and the . These canals provided transportation routes between different parts of the country and facilitated the growth of commerce and industry.

By 1835, canals connected most rivers and lakes east of the Mississippi River. It allowed for a decrease in food prices and migration towards the West. But it was short-lived since proved to be better transportation.

Railroads

could send products directly and became the best form of transportation. The first railroad chartered in the United States was the , which was chartered in 1827 and began operating in 1830.

In the decades that followed, the railroad network in the United States expanded rapidly. A number of new were built, including the , the , and the . These provided transportation routes between different parts of the country and helped to facilitate the growth of commerce and industry.

made any city a trading center, so companies took advantage of this by building and towns nearby. were more common in the North than in the South.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Women & the Market Revolution Practice LEQ

Interregional Trade

The growth of the in the Southern United States played a significant role in the development of national and international commercial ties. The demand for cotton, which was used to make a wide range of products, including clothing, bedding, and other household goods, was high, and Southern cotton producers were able to meet this demand by increasing production.

The growth of the in the South had a number of knock-on effects on other parts of the country. For example, it helped to fuel the growth of the manufacturing, banking, and shipping industries in the North. Cotton was a major export for the United States, and Northern banks and shipping companies played a key role in financing and transporting it to other countries. The growth of these industries, in turn, helped to further strengthen the commercial ties between the North and South and between the United States and other countries.

Slavery played a significant role in the economic and social development of the United States during this period. In the South, where the vast majority of the nation's enslaved population lived, was used to produce a number of crops, including cotton, tobacco, and rice.

These crops were grown on large plantations and were important exports for the United States, helping to fuel the growth of industries such as manufacturing, banking, and shipping in the North.

The use of was central to the economic success of the Southern plantation system, and it was an integral part of the market economy that developed in the United States during this time. However, it is important to recognize that slavery was an inhumane system that denied enslaved people their basic human rights and freedoms. It was also a major source of conflict and division in the United States, and ultimately led to the Civil War.

Key Terms to Review (23)

Agricultural Inventions

: Agricultural inventions refer to tools or methods created specifically for farming practices which improved efficiency and productivity during different periods in history.

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad

: The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) was one of the oldest railroads in the United States with an original line from Baltimore City to Wheeling or Parkersburg on Ohio River.

Boston and Maine Railroad

: The Boston and Maine Railroad was a U.S. Class I railroad in northern New England from 1836 until 1983. It served all six New England states for more than 150 years.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

: The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal is another man-made waterway that provided transportation between Washington D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland from 1831 until 1924. It served primarily to transport coal from mines along its route to market.

Consumer Culture

: Consumer culture refers to a social arrangement where buying and consuming goods and services is not only essential but also seen as desirable for personal happiness or social status.

Cotton Gin

: The cotton gin is a machine that was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 to separate cotton fibers from their seeds, which significantly sped up the process of producing cotton.

Cotton Industry

: The cotton industry refers to the economic sector that involves the cultivation and processing of cotton, a key raw material for textiles. In the context of US history, it played a significant role in the Southern economy during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Delaware and Raritan Canal

: The Delaware and Raritan Canal is a man-made waterway in New Jersey that was built in the 19th century to transport goods between Philadelphia and New York.

Eli Whitney

: Eli Whitney was an American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin. His invention greatly increased the efficiency of cotton harvesting and contributed to the economic development of Southern states.

Entrepreneurs

: Entrepreneurs are individuals who create new businesses, bearing most of the risks and enjoying most of the rewards. They are innovators who drive economic growth by spotting opportunities others miss.

Erie Canal

: The Erie Canal is a man-made waterway in New York that connects the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. Completed in 1825, it played a significant role in westward expansion and economic growth by providing an efficient means of transporting goods.

Industrial Revolution

: The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and transport had a profound effect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions starting in the United Kingdom before spreading throughout Europe, North America, and eventually the world.

Interregional Trade

: Interregional trade refers to the exchange of goods, services, and capital between different regions within a country.

Market Revolution

: The Market Revolution refers to the period in 19th-century American history when an agrarian society of small producers evolved into an industrialized nation of consumers.

McCormick Reaper

: The McCormick reaper was a mechanical horse-drawn reaping machine invented by Cyrus McCormick in 1831. It revolutionized farming by drastically increasing the speed at which crops could be harvested.

Morris Canal

: The Morris Canal was a 102-mile canal across northern New Jersey that connected the Delaware River with the Hudson River. Completed in 1831, it was primarily used to transport coal, iron ore, and other goods.

New York and Erie Railroad

: The New York and Erie Railroad was chartered in 1832 to connect the Hudson River with Lake Erie, providing a critical transportation route from the Midwest to East Coast.

Pennsylvania Railroad

: The Pennsylvania Railroad was a major railroad company established in 1846 that operated primarily in the Northeast and Midwest United States. It was known for its innovation, efficiency, and profitability.

Railroads

: A railroad is a track or set of tracks made of steel rails along which passenger and freight trains run. Railroads were instrumental in the industrial development and westward expansion of the United States during the 19th century.

Samuel Morse

: Samuel Morse was an American inventor and artist who is best known for inventing the Morse code and helping develop the commercial use of telegraphy.

Slave Labor

: Slave labor refers to work performed by enslaved individuals against their will under threat of punishment. In American history, it was primarily used in agriculture - particularly in Southern states' plantation economies.

Steam-powered engines

: A steam engine is a heat engine that performs mechanical work using steam as its working fluid. Invented during the Industrial Revolution, it was one of the key drivers of industrialization.

Telegraph

: The telegraph was a long-distance communication device invented in the 19th century that used coded signals to send messages across wires.


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.