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The Industrial Revolution Reading

The Industrial Revolution was an economic transformation that began in Great Britain in the 1700s, characterized by mass production, factory work, and the use of steam power. Key factors included population growth, agricultural improvements, and scientific advances, which led to innovations in various industries, particularly textiles. The revolution also improved transportation through the development of steam engines and railroads, significantly impacting the economy and society.

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14 views

The Industrial Revolution Reading

The Industrial Revolution was an economic transformation that began in Great Britain in the 1700s, characterized by mass production, factory work, and the use of steam power. Key factors included population growth, agricultural improvements, and scientific advances, which led to innovations in various industries, particularly textiles. The revolution also improved transportation through the development of steam engines and railroads, significantly impacting the economy and society.

Uploaded by

kjacquinot2028
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Industrial Revolution

1. What is an Industrial Revolution?


While the American and French Revolutions
encouraged political change, a different kind of
revolution was stirring in Europe. It was an
economic revolution. The effects of the
Industrial Revolution were just as far-reaching
as the effects of the political revolutions that
took place in America and France.

The Industrial Revolution brought about


fundamental changes in the way goods are
made. It introduced mass production and the use of new sources of energy
to meet human needs. People started making goods in factories instead of
at home, and they began to use steam power to run machinery. Science
also became more closely linked to technology, resulting in a stream of
constant innovations.

2. Causes of the Industrial Revolution


The Industrial Revolution first began in Great Britain in the 1700s. There
were several important factors that made Great Britain ready for the
Industrial Revolution:
1.​ Population Growth
o​ A new large and powerful middle class emerged. They
participated in government and promoted free enterprise and
economic improvement. People moved to cities for jobs in
factories.
2.​ Agricultural Improvements
o​ British farmers used scientific methods to boost productivity,
such as enclosing common lands, rotating crops, and careful
animal breeding. Fewer people could grow more crops.
3.​ Scientific Advances
o​ Inventors created new products that made people’s lives easier
in work and their everyday lives. This created a demand for
products and labor.

3. Factors of Production and Natural Resources Needed for


Industrialization
Factors of production are the resources needed to produce goods and services the
Industrial Revolution required.
❖​ Land: Land represents the natural resources necessary to industrialize
o​ Natural Resources include water power, coal, iron ore, rivers for
transportation and harbors for shipping
❖​ Labor: People are needed to run machines and work in the factories
❖​ Capital: In order for a country to industrialize, it must have the wealth to
back it up

4. Inventions: Textile Industry


A series of British inventions then triggered the Industrial Revolution. The
revolution began in textiles and spread to other fields. In 1764, James
Hargreaves invented the spinning jenny which allowed many threads to be
spun at one time, instead of just one. In 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton
gin which made textile production much faster.

Before the Industrial Revolution, craftsmen worked at home, spinning wool,


cotton, and linen by hand, and then weaving the thread or yarn into finished
cloth. This was known as a cottage industry. During the Industrial
Revolution, large numbers of workers began working together in factories. In
factories, workers could be supervised and could use machines driven by
water or steam power.

5. Improved Transportation
In 1769, James Watt improved the steam engine by creating separate
chambers for the steam to get hot and to cool down. Watt’s improved steam
engine made steam power available for mechanical purposes. His
improvements allowed factory construction to be placed anywhere, since
factories were no longer dependent on water to power their machines. Steam
engines were applied to steam boats in the early 1800s and power locomotives
in the 1820s.

6. Effects of the Railroad System:


1.​ Cheap way to transport materials and finished
products
2.​ Provided jobs
3.​ Boosted the economy
4.​ New way to travel

7. Other Inventions of the Industrial Revolution:


1.​ Marie Curie: Radioactivity
2.​ Thomas Edison: Light bulb; phonograph
3.​ Albert Einstein: Theory of relativity
4.​ Louis Pasteur: Pasteurization (killed germs with heat; milk)
5.​ James Watt: Improved steam engine

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