1750 – 1850

Revolutions we have studied The Renaissance: an artistic revolution 1300 – 1600 Began in Italy, spread throughout Europe Painting, sculpture, architecture

Revolutions we have studied The Reformation: a religious revolution 1500 – 1600 Martin Luther: 95 thesis, justification by faith English reformation: Anglican Church Catholic Reforms: ended indulgences, started schools, extension of the Inquisition

Revolutions we have studied The Enlightenment: a scientific and philosophic revolution 1500s – 1600s Copernicus: heliocentric theory Scientific Method John Locke: natural rights Social Contract

Industrial Revolution Began in Britain about 1750 Was not sudden, like political revolutions Began with changes in agricultural methods Characterized by technological changes

Began in Britain Had plentiful natural resources Population Explosion Rivers/canals for transportation & water power Natural ports & sea travel facilitated trade Coal & Iron resources plentiful Population Explosion Large workforce Demand for goods Overseas empire

Machines make a difference Textiles were the largest industry. New machines like the Flying Shuttle, the Spinning Jenny and the Cotton Gin sped up production.

Factories Born in Britain Prior to Industrial Revolution, the “put out” system was in place. Also known as “cottage industry.” Now large buildings containing machinery were built near streams and rivers. Eventually factories were powered by steam engines.

Transportation Revolution Canals were dug to connect rivers and increase transportation to inland towns. The refinement of the steam engine led to steam-powered ships and locomotives.

One thing leads to another Inventors developed machines Production sped up Transportation became more efficient Prices of goods fell Lower prices means increased demand Inventors develop better machines The cycle repeats itself …

The Industrial Revolution brought rapid urbanization. Urbanization – the movement of people to cities Changes in farming, rising population, and the need for workers led people to migrate to cities. Overnight, towns and cities near coal or iron mines mushroomed. Manchester grew from 17,000 people in the 1750s to 70,000 in 1801.

The Industrial Revolution created a new middle class, or bourgeoisie. The middle class lived in clean neighborhoods with running water and paved streets. Women stayed home to raise their children. They included merchants, inventors, investors, and “rags-to-riches” individuals who were admired for their hard work and “get-ahead” attitude.

The cities where the working class lived were crowded, dark, dirty, and smoky. The poor lived in tiny, crowded rooms in multistory tenements packed into vile-smelling slums. Lack of sanitation left waste and rotting garbage in the streets, creating a terrible stench. Raw sewage was dumped in rivers, contaminating drinking water and spreading disease.

Factory workers lived and worked in unpleasant conditions. In factories the work pace was rigidly set. Shifts lasted 12 to 15 hours. Tired workers were easily hurt by machines with no safety devices. Textile factory air was polluted with lint. In rural villages people worked hard, but work varied by the season. They controlled their own work pace.

Organizations such as labor unions were illegal. Frustration at times turned to violence: Frustrated workers tried to organize secretly, but they lacked a political voice and were powerless to affect change. Between 1811 and 1813, textile workers rioted. Groups called Luddites smashed labor-saving machines that were replacing workers.

Most early factory workers were women. Women could be paid half what men earned. They were considered easier to manage. It was believed they could adapt better than men. This created a double burden on women. After 12 hours of work, they returned home to care for their families in damp, crowded tenements.

Child labor was an accepted practice. Most children began work at age seven or eight. Nimble-fingered, small, and quick, they crept into machines to change spools or repair thread. They worked in dust- and lint-filled rooms. Children in mines worked in the dark and dampness for long hours, often doing hard labor.

Child labor reform laws called “factory laws” were passed in the early 1800s. Children’s workdays were reduced to 12 hours. Children under eight were removed from the cotton mills. New laws in the 1830s and 1840s further reduced hours for women and children, sent inspectors into factories, and required that children be educated.

New Industrial Powers Emerge Industrial revolution began in Britain Rules prohibited export of inventions In 1807 a British mechanic opened textile factories in Belgium. By mid-1800’s other nations began to industrialize

Industrialization Spread Quickly Germany, France and the United States had abundant supplies of coal, iron, and other resources. (even more than Britain) They “borrowed” British technology They imported and adapted British equipment For example, Fulton used one of Watt’s steam engines

Uneven Development Some country’s development was fast: Germany and the United States led the way Japan, Canada, Australia & New Zealand Other countries lagged behind: Eastern and Southern Europe lacked natural resources and money to invest in new technology Russia Had resources but Russian revolution slowed industrialization

Changes from the Industrial Revolution Industrial nations experienced social changes New middle class emerged Owned and operated factories, mines, railroads Lived in well furnished, spacious homes Rapid urbanization: people moved to cities Most working class lived in poor conditions, like tenements Men, women & children worked long hours in very difficult situations

Changes from the Industrial Revolution Factories produced huge quantities at low prices Ordinary workers buying up goods Increased demand for goods created jobs Cities, railroads & factories grew creating jobs Industrial nations experienced political changes Free market societies Working class people could vote

Blessing or a Curse? Early industrial age workers had it rough In time, reformers passed laws improving working conditions Labor unions brought about better wages, safer conditions Demand for mass-produced goods grew, resulting in new factories, making more jobs