is the change from farming based economy to economy based on machine manufacturing

the answer is maybe industrialization?

an effect of the steamboat's popularity was that people began building canals in the united states and europe. this was done to find another way to transport goods across the country and in that time, transportation using the river was very slow and dangerous. it depended entirely on manpower and the current of the river. that all changed in the late 1700's when steamboats were introduced. they soon revolutionized travel and trade through the river and dominated the waterways. eventually, other means of transportation took over from the steamboats, but there was a time that they the united states to expand to the west.

the iconic cartoon that you are talking about is probably a man standing on top of a country with his legs spread wide. 

this cartoon suggests that europeans are powerful enough to subdue an entire continent. this was a satirical image that was drawn during the time of the colonization of the british empire in africa.

this image was inspired by the plans of the british empire to create telegraph lines all over africa promoting the further spread of its colonies through faster communication. the picture depicts the colonial mentality of the british empire in general as well as the struggle of africans to claim their own land. hope this ! (: