The industrial revolution is the term that is referred to the period of significant changes in manufacturing and economic relations. Traditionally, the industrial revolution is defined as the period between 1820 and 1870. In this period, the following discoveries were made: the steam engine and the cotton gin were invented, and also modern manufacturing processes in cotton mills were introduced. By the end of this period, the list of important inventions was expanded by the creation of railroad and steamships. Thus, it could be stated that these aspects of the industrial revolution have shaped the development of new economic relations and paradigms immensely, and it is essential to observe how the United States’ economic growth is impacted by it.
From a historical perspective, the industrial revolution was one of the most influencing events in the history of the United States. One of the most important aspects that contributed to the rapid growth of the American economy in the 19th century was the improvement of the cotton manufacturing process. Since the cotton gin was invented, it became considerably easier to collect and process cotton, and thus the United States was able to export it to the international market. The invention of the steam engine and steamships also had a positive impact on economic growth because the amount of goods, which were manufactured in factories, had increased immensely. Steamships became one of the most important means of economic connections between American and European markets. Therefore, the industrial revolution had an immense impact on the development of the country.