Unit: The Industrial Revolution Topic: Major Causes Mrs. Johnson September 19, 2011

Before the Industrial Revolution…

What was the Industrial Revolution? The Industrial Revolution was the period in which the means of production of goods shifted from hand tools to machines and from human and animal power to steam power.

Industrialization began in Britain because it had all the factors of production.

2. Factors of Production

Geography – Britain had plenty of coal and iron, natural harbors for trade and rivers for transpor-tation and water power.

Canals provided ships with easy access to the interior of England.

Railroad map

Population Growth and Change – Growth in population, more available workers; fewer farm laborers were needed, so many people moved to the cities for factory jobs.

Capital for Investment – the middle class had the capital to invest in mines, railroads, and factories.

Energy and Technology – people used water wheels to power new machines, coal was used to power steam engines.

3. Rise of Factories

As more people started to use steam engines and machines to produce goods, many factories were built, mostly along a water source.

The factory system was responsible for the creation of cities in England.