The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution lasted from about 1700 to 1900. While it started in Great Britain, the Industrial Revolution took off in 1792, when Samuel Slater built the first factory in Rhode Island. After that, America became the home of the Industrial Revolution, inventing the steamboat, the train, the steam engine, interchangeable parts, the telegraph, the Gatling Gun, etc. This era is what propelled the United States of America into the global playing field. However, it would not be until the next era that America became THE global leader.