The Industrial Revolution is typically most closely associated with European countries, but it also had a profound impact within the United States.  It was certainly spurred on by the movement in Europe, but it also became intrinsically American. The Industrial Revolution’s importance in America cannot be glossed over when you are studying for the AP® US History exam. To fully understand how America got from the Revolutionary War to where we are now, you will need to understand the Industrial Revolution. Lucky for you, we are here to help.

In order for you to really understand the Industrial Revolution’s impact on America, you will need to have a general knowledge of the Industrial Revolution as a whole.

So what exactly was the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution was a period (mid-1700s to mid-1800s) marked by rapid industrialization and economic changes.

Okay, I know you aren’t supposed to use the word in a definition, but it just makes sense here. Basically, it was a really quick rise in industry (factories, mass production, you get the picture). Instead of just living a subsistence lifestyle and only providing enough goods for someone to take care of their immediate family, people started to specialize in producing certain things or providing certain services. This led to not only increased ability to produce things, but it also led to a reliance on obtaining goods from others. If a family that used to provide everything for itself is now spending all of its time producing quilts to sell to others, they are going to need a way of getting food, clothing, and other essentials. In this way, a market is created, and industrialization takes hold.

That is a very, very brief overview of the Industrial Revolution. There is obviously a lot more to it.  It was a time period of great change, and it was one in which European ideas had a profound impact. Most historical studies put a much heavier emphasis on the movement in Europe and Britain’s rise to power during this time. However, its importance in American history cannot be missed.

Why is the Industrial Revolution important for APUSH?

First off, it is a good idea for you to know some of the details leading up to the Industrial Revolution. You will want to know about things like Eli Whitney and the cotton gin, the widespread use of the steam engine, the importance of steamboats and railroads as a means of transportation, and the effect of the telegraph on interstate and international communication. You will want to have somewhat of an idea about Adam Smith and the division of labor.  These things shaped much of the Industrial Revolution.

Second, you need to understand how industrialization shaped the regional and national economy.  People and regions began to specialize in producing certain goods, largely depending on what kinds of resources were available to them.  As they started to specialize in certain markets and goods, different regions became dependent on each other. For example, the South was necessary to the national economy as they produced the cotton needed for textile production up in the North. This interdependence and emphasis on American resources caused there to be a greater importance placed on American land, which helped lead into westward expansion.

Third, it is crucial to have a grasp of how the Industrial Revolution shaped the American way of life. Prior to industrialization, America was mostly just focused on agriculture, and it was made up of small farm communities. As specialization occurred, factories developed, and new markets were created, cities and towns grew in importance. A second phenomena known as urbanization took hold, as a newly formed middle class started to take residence in bigger industrial cities. Also, labor unions started to form to combat poor working. So much of what we know about modern day American life is a result of this period.

Now what?

When you are getting ready for the AP® US History (APUSH) exam, you do not want to miss the importance of the Industrial Revolution. It is a good way for you to show your ability to analyze change over time, one of the key skills you are being tested on in this course.  Besides that, understanding the period of the Industrial Revolution and the effects of that movement will help you understand the course of American history after that time period. You’ll be much more prepared to talk about the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Depression if you can talk about the Industrial Revolution.

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