Claim: History of the British canal system (played a vital role in an Revolution) the less successful canals failed quickly, and they were unable to compete against railways.
Evidence: The canal network of the United Kingdom played a vital role in the Industrial Revolution. By the second half of the 19th century, many canals were increasingly becoming owned by railway companies or competing with them, and many were in decline, with decreases in mile-ton charges to try to remain competitive. After this, the less successful canals (particularly narrow-locked canals, whose boats could only carry about thirty tons) failed quickly.