The Industrial Revolution

 The Industrial Revolution refers to the rapidly increased output of machine-made goods that began in England during the 18th century.  It eventually led to a better quality of life for most people.  Yet the change to machine production also caused immense human suffering.

The Industrial Revolution I. Industrialism Changes Life A. Urbanization B. Living Conditions C. Working Conditions D. Class Tensions E. Positive Effects II. Industrialism Spreads A. The United States B. Belgium C. Germany D. Expansion throughout Europe III. Worldwide Impact of Industrialism A. Global Inequality B. Transformation of Society

I. Industrialism Changes Life

A. Urbanization  From most European cities at least doubled in population.  Urbanization - a period of city building and people moving to cities.  The growth of factories brought job-seekers.

B. Living Conditions  There was a lack of adequate housing, education, and police protection.  Workers lived in dark, dirty shelters, whole families crowding into one bedroom.  Frequent epidemics swept through the cities.

C. Working Conditions  Workers worked long hours in dirty and dangerous conditions.  Average worker spent 14 hours a day, 6 days a week at work.

D. Class Tensions  Merchants and factory owners became extremely rich.  Overworked and underpaid workers became frustrated.

E. Some Positive Effects  Created jobs  Made the nation wealthier.  Healthier diets  Eventually better housing and better pay.

II. Industrialization Spreads

A. The United States  Industrialization began in the textile industry, primarily in the northeast.  Thousands of workers, mostly young single women, flocked to work in mills.

A. The United States  The U.S. remained primarily an agricultural nation until the end of the Civil War in  The country then experienced a technological boom due to a wealth of natural resources, a burst of inventions, and a swelling urban population.

A. The United States  Railroads played a major role as America expanded.  Large corporations such as Standard Oil and the Carnegie Steel Company sprang up and sought to control every aspect of their industries.

B. Continental Europe  European countries were absorbed in the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars between 1789 and  They watched the gap widen between themselves and Britain.  Nevertheless, industrialization eventually reached continental Europe.

1. Belgium  Belgium had rich iron and coal as well as waterways for transportation.  The latest British advances (spinning machinery and steam engines) were smuggled out of Britain.

2. Germany  Germany was a politically divided empire.  Pockets of industry appeared as they copied Britain’s model.  Germany’s economic strength spurred its ability to develop as a military power.

3. Other Parts of Europe  Regions of Spain processed cotton.  Northern Italy specialized in silk textiles.  French railroad created a thriving national market.  For a variety of reasons, many European countries did not industrialize.  Governments, geography, and transportation all posed problems.

III. Worldwide Impact of Industrialism

A. Global Inequality  Industrialism widened the gap between industrialized and non-industrialized countries.  It promoted competition between industrialized nations and increased poverty in less-industrialized nations.  Industrialized countries required a steady stream of raw materials from less-developed lands.

A. Global Inequality  Britain led for exploiting overseas colonies for resources.  Other nations shortly followed.  Imperialism-the policy for extending one’s countries rule over many other lands.

B. Transformation of Society  The industrialization that took place revolutionized every aspect of society, from daily life to life expectancy.  As quality of life increased, a powerful movement for social reform grew.