Rapid industrialization - Essay Example

Teacher Rapid industrialization between 1840 to 1850 The period from 1840 to 1850 in the northeastern part of the United s marked the rapid industrialization of the country. This industrialization required a massive transportation network to move people and goods at a lower cost. This prompted the unprecedented construction of canal and rail network (including a telegraph network) that would improve transportation and bring about economic and geographic expansion. This opened up new markets and increased immigration of European workers and farmers to the Northeastern part of the United States where the manufacturing sector was booming.

In 1840, there were already more than 3,000 miles of tracks were constructed that was massive that it was longer than all of the tracks in Europe combined. Yet this was added by another 5,000 miles of tracks were laid down that by the end of the 1850s, there were already more than 30,000 miles of tracks that were laid down. And as if this was not enough, miles of canals were also dug to facilitate steamboats travel on water.These unprecedented construction in railroad and canals fueled the industrialization further as it did not only moved people and goods efficiently, but also facilitated transfer of information and drew people into the economy to stimulate the growth further.

The telegraph network was also developed during the same period and complemented the boom on railroad and canal constructions.Further, these expanded modes of transportations has strengthened the connection between the old northwest and the northeast that it has been dubbed by the historian as the transportation revolution.