Overview of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century

While the first industrial revolution focused on a move from hand and home-made products to machine-made goods, the second industrial revolution that was centered on America expanded on this and created the modern urban-industrial state. America was able to move away from dependence on England for its manufactured goods as it increased its own transportation and factory system. Many people talk today that we are in another such revolution with the ready availability of information and new ways to harness it to great effect. "This article gives an overview of the background and important people, inventions, and events of the Second Industrial Revolution.