The Industrial Revolution Chapter 19: Section 1: Day 5 The Industrial Revolution

Railroads Railroads moved and manufactured goods more efficiently. The first commercial railroad connected the cotton-manufacturing town of Manchester to the port of Liverpool. Railroads were a key component of the Industrial Revolution and led to ongoing economic growth. Main Idea: The pace of industrialization in Europe and the United States depended on many factors, including government policy. Governments in Belgium, France, and the German states supported industrialization and provided funds to build roads, canals, and railroads.

The Spread of Industrialization When the Industrial Revolution spread to the United States, thousands of miles of roads and canals were built to link East and West. In 1807, Robert Fulton built the first paddle-wheel steamboat, improving transportation on the waterways. Eventually, railroads provided the most effective means of transportation. As farmers and immigrants filled the cities, a labor force became available to the factory owners. Women and children, who were paid lower wages, often worked in the factories.