What was the most (shocking, revelatory, puzzling--or choose a verb that better fits your your idea) insight you gained in reading the Silas Deane essay?

it foreshadows the theme of the paragraph and hints the topic that will be discussed in the paragraph!

first industrial revolution - the first wave of the industrial revolution lasted from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s. it industrialized the manufacture of textiles and began the move of production from homes to factories. steam power and the cotton gin played an important role in this period.

your answer would be just capitalism.