Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
IMO, the revolution that had the greatest impact on the US was the Industrial Revolution that began in England and quickly spread to the US. England tried to stem the flow of new technolgy out of the country, with laws prohibiting the tranfer of machine designs or parts, but it was futile. Emigrants from England found ingenious ways to bring parts and designs for machne tools and textile machines to New England, where there was abundant hydorelectric power.
Just the arrival of the common lathe and power loom to New England must have had a transforming effect on the industrial landscape. For instance, Eli Whitney, who is better known for the invention of the cotton gin, is also credited with being first to make interchangeabe parts for guns, which was revolutonary in itself. New methods for making steel and the demand for goods and services had a cascade effect and led to the development of new products, and ultimately the building of canals and railroads that made possible the expansion west.
IMO, the revolution that had the greatest impact on the US was the Industrial Revolution that began in England and quickly spread to the US. England tried to stem the flow of new technolgy out of the country, with laws prohibiting the tranfer of machine designs or parts, but it was futile. Emigrants from England found ingenious ways to bring parts and designs for machne tools and textile machines to New England, where there was abundant hydorelectric power.
Just the arrival of the common lathe and power loom to New England must have had a transforming effect on the industrial landscape. For instance, Eli Whitney, who is better known for the invention of the cotton gin, is also credited with being first to make interchangeabe parts for guns, which was revolutonary in itself. New methods for making steel and the demand for goods and services had a cascade effect and led to the development of new products, and ultimately the building of canals and railroads that made possible the expansion west.
Correction: That should have read "water power" instead of "hydroelectric power," which, of course, wasn't available until much later.
I really have trouble with this poll because it mixes technology advancements with historical events. Radio and TV are simply mass communication advancements. You can trace that to the printing press. Rifle - gunpowder had been around since the 1400s in Europe and rifled barrels were a technology available since the 1600s I think (though improved upon and still being approved upon). Same thing for the auto - what about sailing ships? Steam Trains? Air flight? The interstate highway system? It's all a matter of transportation. All these are too vague to estimate it's effect, and the effect would be worldwide (not isolated to the US) in any event. If you do want technological effects that had extraordinary impact on the US, that is, taking the unique nature of an very large and isolated and unexplored nation with unique political divides, I think you should include The Cotton Gin (argued as one of the causes of the civil war), The Steam Train (basically the first advancement of transportation since the time of christ, and essential for settling the western fronteir of the US), and the telegraph (again, really the first advancement in communication since the time of Christ).
But the obvious choices:
American Revolution - because obviously there would be no nation without it, and the governement and constitution would not be what it is.
Civil War - a defining moment for the US
World War 2 - after WW2, the US became the leading world power.
Nine months before George Washington was born his father dropped a piece of firewood on his toe causing him to take the day off work. In the middle of the morning He was feeling a little better and called Mrs. Washington into the bedroom. Well we all know the result of that. It was George.
In conclusion I would have to say the most signifigent thing that has effected the History of the USA is. A piece of firewood. DROPPED
Nine months before George Washington was born his father dropped a piece of firewood on his toe causing him to take the day off work. In the middle of the morning He was feeling a little better and called Mrs. Washington into the bedroom. Well we all know the result of that. It was George.
In conclusion I would have to say the most signifigent thing that has effected the History of the USA is. A piece of firewood. DROPPED
As opposed to any other thing that went into the creation of George? Why not claim that his parent's meeting one another was the most significant event?
Also...what is your source for the story of the firewood? I wasn't aware that Colonial folks documented their sexual encounters to such an exacting degree and left behind accounts for historians.
Further, since Washington was the major figure in the winning of the revolution, but not a player in the making of the revolution, why couldn't the most significant event have been related to the births of Sam and John Adams?
Americans could not have won the war without French aid, and Benjamin Franklin was the key figure in securing that. Does that make Ben's dad getting horny nine months before Ben's birth the most significant event?
As opposed to any other thing that went into the creation of George? Why not claim that his parent's meeting one another was the most significant event?
Also...what is your source for the story of the firewood? I wasn't aware that Colonial folks documented their sexual encounters to such an exacting degree and left behind accounts for historians.
Further, since Washington was the major figure in the winning of the revolution, but not a player in the making of the revolution, why couldn't the most significant event have been related to the births of Sam and John Adams?
Americans could not have won the war without French aid, and Benjamin Franklin was the key figure in securing that. Does that make Ben's dad getting horny nine months before Ben's birth the most significant event?
I think one's point of view will bring a different perspective. As I am an American Indian, my answer would be quite different.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
