THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND  Early 1700s to late 1800s.  Begins in Britain, moves across Europe and rest of the world.

AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTION  Technology  more crops  more food  more healthy people  more labor  Enclosure Movement – Land owners bought land and enclosed it with fences or hedges. Peasants forced to work in factories or become tenant farmers.

ROOT OF INDUSTRIALIZATION  Renaissance Spirit By emphasizing life in this world, Industrial Revolution encouraged Europeans to seek material comfort. Inquiry paved way for invention.

BRITAIN LEADS THE WAY  Plentiful Resources – rivers, harbors, coal, iron, ore, labor  Transportation and Communication – costal trade, canals, port towns, postal service, newspapers, NAVY

BRITAIN LEADS THE WAY  Colonial Superpower – Britain created an overseas market and demand for goods (mercantilism)  MORE RESOURCES!

BRITAIN LEADS THE WAY  Population Growth – created a market and demand for goods, ready supply of labor.

BRITAIN LEADS THE WAY  Stable Government and Economy – fair taxes, capital, banks.  Powerful Middle Class – invested money in new ventures including shipping, mining, railroads

BRITAIN LEADS THE WAY  Textile Industry – new technology increased output, factories replace putting out system. 