Final answer:
Francis Cabot Lowell founded the Boston Manufacturing Company, pioneering an integrated mill system for cotton fabric production in Waltham, MA, which laid the foundation for New England's emergence as a leading industrial region in the U.S.
Step-by-step explanation:
Francis Cabot Lowell significantly impacted American industrial history by establishing the Boston Manufacturing Company in 1814 which built a landmark textile mill in Waltham, Massachusetts. This mill was notable for its utilization of the Charles River as a power source and the introduction of the Waltham System.
A key innovation was integrating all steps of cotton fabric production within a single facility, creating a streamlined and efficient manufacturing process. They not only processed raw cotton into finished fabric but also constructed looms onsite. Such advancements, including advocating for protective tariffs and influencing regional economic differences, cemented Lowell's mills as a cornerstone in the American textile industry.
Despite Francis Cabot Lowell's death in 1817, his factories continued to thrive and proliferate throughout New England, forming mill towns and generating a competitive edge over international and domestic textile producers. By the Civil War, New England boasted 878 textile factories, transforming it into the industrial heart of the United States.