Industrial Revolution Paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Industrial Revolution - Term Paper Example The revolution was mainly governed by several important innovations that came into being around that time. These new methods and ways of doing things promoted greater efficiency and productivity, thereby incurring larger profits for manufacturers and yielding the manufacturing industry to become, for the first time in history, a more valuable asset to the economy than the agricultural industry (Olson, 2002). One of the major innovations of this kind was the invention and improvement of the steam engine. Previously, America had employed man- or horse-powered machinery, but was now shifting towards the use of water to run machinery, a feat that saved capital and time, thereby greatly increasing productivity and reducing cost. While most of the revolution did still rely greatly on horse and man (because of the lack of knowledge and know-how), uptake of use of water and steam engines to run machinery by several important factories paved way for many smaller ones to do so as well. Thus, c reating a somewhat chain reaction that moved towards use of the steam engine on a much larger scale (Grayson, 2010). ... This situation benefited both parties, the consumers and the producers. Because of consumer attraction, many factory owners enjoyed large profits because of the increased consumer spending and activity in the economy, leading to growth of these trades and factories in the cities of America. Another major implication of this revolution was the increased GDP per capita than had been seen ever, and the effects of the increased exports to other countries could not be ignored. In fact, for the first time after 1812 and the restrictions that followed the Embargo, America was found to be active in trading with other countries, a feat that ameliorated the national funds. Moreover, because of the complete transformation of the production system and the introduction of machinery, many jobs opened up for workers thereby increasing employment in this sense. Naturally, a revolution of this scale was to have great effects on the infrastructure of cities, and this was made very evident in America. Because of the large number of people moving into cities to work, numerous buildings were made to house these people. Buildings got taller, more modernized but the living spaces became more compact. Furthermore, because the manufacturing industry is one that greatly relies on transport and movement of parts and goods between cities, one demanded major changes in infrastructure of the cities. Firstly, the need for better roads and bridges was felt to expedite delivery of goods, and so better roads, such as the Crumberland Road, came into being. Moreover, America saw the creation of the Erie Canal, which helped simulate the economy of New York thereby helping it