What exactly defines an industrial revolution? The industrial revolution that took started in England around the 1750’s and lasted until the 1870’s had a significant impact on the American colonies in several different ways. Even as the colonies were beginning to establish themselves across the ocean from England, they were sure to be affected by increases in the demand for more agricultural exports caused by the changes taking place in their parent country.
This Industrial Revolution led to innovations in machinery, steam engines, “lathes for shaping wood, jennies and looms for spinning and weaving textiles, and hammers for forging iron” (A. 120). These advances led to increases in production of textiles and chinaware and other goods. A major downside was that as these machines increased productivity, the factories would make workers try and keep up with the machines thus making them work long hours in dangerous environments. Parliament then enacted a series of acts called the “Enclosure Acts”, which essentially forced any landowner to fence or “enclose” their grazing land at their own expense or be taken over by the government. This forced many poor farmers to have to work in these factories along with their wives and children in order to survive.
The colonies at this point in time were able to export tobacco, rice and wheat to England to have it manufactured since they did not have many manufacturing capabilities themselves. They were essentially being supported solely by Britain as they did not have the ability to manufacture these goods themselves. This dependency necessitated growth and in order to grow they needed to gain the ability to manufacture these goods for themselves. The Sugar and Stamp act of 1763 made it even clearer that the colonies needed to gain their own independence and freedom.
The effects of the Industrial Revolutions on the colonies caused an increase in the demand for agricultural goods used in the manufacturing process. The colonies increased exports of tobacco and other various agricultural goods. The profits from this agricultural boom allowed the colonies to import the British goods and raise the standard of living. The downside to this boom was while the standard of living went up they were in debt because “even during the wartime boom of the 1750s, exports paid for only 80 percent of British imports. Britain financed the remaining 20 percent — the Americans’ trade deficit — through the extension of credit and Pitt’s military expenditures.” (A. 121). The main effect of the industrial revolution did not really hit until around 1765, after the military subsidies ended in 1763.
In conclusion, the first Industrial Revolution brought forth technology that revolutionized the entire world. It allowed people to travel great distances in small amounts of time, it allowed for the rise of factories and manufactured goods. It created an economic boom around the world and ushered in a new era of import/export and trading. In America this caused an agricultural boom that facilitated agricultural growth that helped boost a struggling economy by providing a product that improved the quality of life. The Industrial Revolution allowed Britain to gain a technological upper hand on other nations, allowing their economy to grow and provided an outlet for raw materials from their colonies.

A., Henretta, J., Edwards, Rebecca, Self, O.. America: A Concise History, Volume One: To 1877, 5th Edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, 01/2012. VitalBook file.

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A., Henretta, J., Edwards, Rebecca, Self, O.. America: A Concise History, Volume One: To 1877, 5th Edition. Bedford/St. Martin's, 01/2012. VitalBook file.