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Industrial Revolution Key Facts: The Transformation of The World

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Prithu Misra
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32 views

Industrial Revolution Key Facts: The Transformation of The World

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Prithu Misra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Transformation Of The World

Industrial Revolution Key Facts

Industrial RevolutionEncyclopædia Britannica, Inc./Kenny ChmielewskiThe


term Industrial Revolution refers to the process of change in modern history
from a farming and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and
machine manufacturing. The process began in Britain, where the Industrial
Revolution was largely confined from the 1760s to the 1830s. From Britain
the revolution spread gradually throughout Europe and to the United States
and other parts of the world.
Industrial RevolutionYale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection
(B1986.29.390)The most important of the changes that brought about the
Industrial Revolution were (1) the invention of machines to do the work of
hand tools, (2) the use of steam and later of other kinds of power, and (3) the
adoption of the factory system.

The machines that ushered in the Industrial Revolution were mostly invented
in the last third of the 18th century. Earlier in the century, however, a few
inventions had been made that opened the way for the later machines. One
was the crude, slow-moving steam engine built by Thomas Newcomen in
1712. Another was John Kay’s flying shuttle (1733), which enabled one
person to handle a wide loom more rapidly than two persons could operate
it before.
spinning jennyPhotos.com/ThinkstockAs the flying shuttle sped up weaving,
the demand for cotton yarn increased. Many inventors set to work to
improve the spinning wheel. By 1770 James Hargreaves, a weaver, had
patented his spinning jenny, the first practical application of multiple
spinning by a machine.

James Watt: steam engine


Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail James Watt. Etching
by J. Scott, 1869, after J. E. Lauder. Wellcome Collection, London (Public
domain)While textile machinery was developing, progress was being made
in other directions. In the 1760s James Watt, a Scottish mechanic, made
major improvements on the inefficient Newcomen steam engine. Watt was
given a patent for his steam engine in 1769. The Watt engine was later
utilized in various types of mills as well as distilleries and waterworks.

Technological changes during the Industrial Revolution also included the


wide use of basic materials, such as iron and steel. Electricity, petroleum, and
the internal-combustion engine also emerged as new energy sources.

Industrialization led to a new organization of work known as the factory


system, which entailed increased division of labor and specialization of
function.

ClermontPrints and Photographs Division/Library of Congress, Washington,


D.C. (LC-USZ62-1342)Important developments
in transportation and communications occurred, including the
steam locomotive, steamboat, automobile, airplane, electric telegraph, radio,
and telephone.
Technological changes tremendously increased the use of natural resources.
With the spread of industrialization in empire-building countries, overseas
colonies were exploited for their raw materials and became markets for
manufactured products.

There were also many new developments in nonindustrial spheres.


Agricultural improvements, for instance, made possible the provision
of food for a larger nonagricultural population.

Economic changes resulted in a wider distribution of wealth, the decline


of land as a source of wealth in the face of rising industrial production, and
increased international trade.

Sweeping social changes occurred, including the growth of cities and the
development of working-class movements. Urban areas grew rapidly as rural
populations flocked to the cities for work. For millions of laborers,
industrialization often meant substandard wages and working conditions.
Workers periodically went on strike to force owners to meet their demands
for better conditions.

Other countries lagged behind Britain in industrializing, but once Germany,


the United States, and Japan achieved industrial power, they outstripped
Britain’s initial successes. Eastern European counties lagged into the 20th
century, and not until the mid-20th century did the Industrial Revolution
spread to such countries as China and India.

February 16, 2023 picachu22 Uncategorized

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