The Paleoindians were the first groups of populations who inhabited the American continent as a result of the events of the glacial period between 45,000 and 12,000 BCE. This period created a glacial "bridge" between what is now Russia and Alaska. This made it possible for people from that age to cross all the way to the American Continent.
The arrival of the Archaic Period saw the continent experience more mild weather. This made it possible for people to settle within a certain geographic latitude, as it was no longer necessary to migrate in search for warmer weather due to the harsh weather conditions of the glacial period. It also meant that vast extensions of terrain would now be available for crop cultivation, which would be used as a source of food for these people.
The Industrial Revolution, which was the transition from hand production methods to machines occurred in Europe and the US between 1820 and 1840, brought as result the use new chemical and iron production processes, the use of steam power, the development of machine tools as well as the rise of the factory system.
The effects of this Industrial Revolution were notable in Northwest of America, specifically in Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, where such industrial development transformed them into industrial cities and growing commercial centers.
<em>Some of the features which showed that such Northwest cities were becoming an urban society were the dense network of railroads, canals present in them as well as the telegraph network which linked the nation economically.
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TO THE PACIFIC, NOT 100% SURE THO
The Portuguese have a unique maritime history. Due to their location and size. Almost every major city during that period was located on the coast allowing countless locations to build ships and perfect their technology.
