Aim: What factors enable a nation to experience an Industrial Revolution? Key Terms Reasons for the Industrial Revolution The Domestic System Urbanization Laissez-faire Capitalism Coach Smith

The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain in the 1750s. It quickly spread to Europe and the United States. Coach Smith

Great Britain had many harbors and rivers, as well as coal. It had a good location for trade. Coach Smith

Great Britain had a vast colonial empire. This empire brought raw materials to her ports. Cheap raw materials fueled industrialization. Coach Smith

The British middle class promoted trade and industrialization. They invested capital in manufacturing. Coach Smith

Great Britain had good transportation and communication systems. Canals, postal service, newspapers, and the world’s most powerful navy helped industrialization. Coach Smith

Before the Industrial Revolution, weavers and craftsmen worked at home. This was known as the domestic system. Coach Smith

Inventions also helped industrialization. The spinning jenny allowed one person to spin six or seven threads at once. Coach Smith

James Watt’s improved steam engine made steam power available for mechanical purposes. Steam power could drive many machines. Coach Smith

Workers were placed together in factories. Early factories were often unsafe places to work. Workers worked long hours and received low wages. Coach Smith

Urbanization occurred. Large numbers of workers moved from the countryside to cities. Coach Smith

The first railroads were created in the early 1830s. Railroads linked cities, factories, towns, and rural areas. Coach Smith

A new middle class of capitalists emerged. They developed laissez-faire capitalism or a free market where the government does not intervene in the market. Coach Smith

Questions for Reflection: What were the causes of the Industrial Revolution? How did the domestic system differ from the factory system? What is urbanization and what were the effects of urbanization? Define laissez-faire capitalism. What were the advantages and disadvantages of industrialization? Coach Smith