The Effects of American Industrialism

In the 1800's American industrialism was greatly increased due to railroads and canals.The biggest difference in transportation over these years comes through the railroad. The transcontinental railroad wasn't finished until 1869, but the industry was hard at work, expanding exponentially. Trade was no longer an isolated industry. One could produce goods that could be used all across the country. Towns no longer needed to be built along waterways, for their was a new transportation method.

The steamboat was invented in the late 18th century, so it wouldn't necessarily have changed much during the 1820-1860 window, but it certainly was prevalent at the time. It allowed boats to go upstream, which revolutionized trade.

The better the transportation, the easier things move around. That sounds pretty "duh" but its important.

Economics changed because transportation of goods in a more reliable or faster way opens new markets, and increases cash flow.

If people are more able to move around they can see new things, remain in better contact with others, and experience more in life. Before the advent of more modern forms of transport people often spent their entire life within the space of their county or region, that all changed around that time.

The biggest example for both was England (in the dates mentioned), that led to England's superiority in numerous wars and in economics for almost that entire century. They had steam power before anyone else, they had a more metropolitan society and a juggernaut for an economy because of their improved transportation technology.