HIS250Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Universal Manhood Suffrage, Industrial Revolution, Reduced Cost
Document Summary
Reduced cost of shipment, in general it was cheaper to ship things through water. Giving regular roads and canals stiff competition. 1840 about 3000 miles of track (more than england) More railroads in the north bc northern economy is shifting towards a more manufactured based economy. The railroads were the key to unleashing america"s economic potential. Made the economic unification of the country possible. The transportation revolution helped spread broadening currents. Enabled rapid expansion of manufacturing, especially with respect to textiles (cotton textiles) The rise of manufacturing (not the industrial revolution) Notion that comes out of the american system, that the us needs to be the center of manufacturing and economy. Us was fortunate to have water systems (steam powered) Most of the mills that existed, prior to the war of 1812, were owned and operated by local farmers to local customers only. Post 1812 mills ended up becoming the largest employers in their communities.
