The Industrial Revolution Life before and the how and why of the changes

I. Life Before 9 of 10 people live in rural areas Most are subsistence farmers Villages all contained public lands (“commons” where people could graze cattle and gather sticks for fire) Small upper class, large lower class, small middle class ½ of people live to age 21, life expectancy = 40

Ahhhhh…. Bucolic village life!

Life Before . . .

II. Where the Revolution Began Changes began in England about 1750 Enclosure movement – common lands were taken over for private farm use Production rose Villagers were forced to go to cities to find work

Enclosed! Enclosed! Enclosed!

III. Why the Revolution Began Mmm! Fish & Chips! More food = more population = more workers! Population grew from 5 million in 1700 to 40 million in 1900 Exploration (colonies, trade and raw materials) and large scale farming = more money = more investments! Remember me???

III. Why the Revolution Began Scientific Revolution led to many new technologies (most based on water or steam power) England had lots of natural resources like: Rivers to run water mills Coal and iron