Second phase of The Industrial Revolution: Technical Revolution

The technical advances and the economic development caused by the industrial revolution, started in a stronger way in the 1840s. On this phase the changes were basically centered in the revolution of comunications and means of transport. The invention of the railways were one of the most important advances of this stage. The first locomotive was invented in 1814, but it was very slow. Then, locomotives with more power were constructed. The invention of railways increased the development of the industrial revolution and was a great step for the improvement of the heavy industry.

The invention of the steamships were also very important on this phase.

In 1803, Fulton designed the first steamship. He was not supported by the French government, so he went to United States where his ideas were accepted. Later he constructed the "Clermont", a steamship. After this, steamships were constructed universally, and even transatlatic ships were constructed, which expanded the routes between all the continents. The Titanic was the biggest steamship that has been ever constructed.

Although the industrial revolution started in England, it expanded through other countries. These are one of the most important countries which marked in the history of the industrial revolution.

France: Since the 19th century, France industrialized basically in the textile and steel industry. They started to construct their machines in their own country. Also the progress was encouraged by the public works and the railroads, the mechanization became very common and important.


Germany: The custom union was established, which helped to create a great market. The railroad tracks grew until a point that in 1850 there were 6000 km of railroad tracks. Germany became a great industrial major power of the world.


United States: It was the second industrial major power of the world. The natural resources, the raiways, the wave of emigrants and others were the causes of their fast industrial development.


Japan: Since the "Meiji"revolution, which occured in 1868, Japan started a modernization process.