CAUSES OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION The Industrial Revolution
What is the Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution was a period from 1750 to 1850 where changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times. It marks a major turning point in history; almost every aspect of daily life was influenced in some way
The First Industrial Revolution 1. Gradual Change from Human or Animal powered devices to machines (steam powered) 2. Manufacturing of interchangeable parts - allowed greater division of Labour - allowed cheaper and more reliable products - allowed large factories to operate - eliminated the need for “craftsmen” in manufacturing - allowed unskilled labourer to produce complex products
The Second Industrial Revolution More transportation based Started in the 1850s Steam Engines to power ships and trains Introduction to the internal combustion (gasoline) engine
The Causes of the Industrial Revolution The Enclosure Movement and the Agricultural Revolution - more efficient and less labour intensive food production - forces people into “Cottage Industries” (weaving) and eventually into cities and factories British Colonial Dominance - provided vast amounts of money to England - money used to invest in new innovations and manufacturing techniques The Napoleonic Wars - Britain was the only country not ravaged by war - Britain also possessed a large fleet of ships
Major Inventions: Textiles The Spinning Jenny:
Major Inventions: Steam Engine
Major Inventions: Chemicals Major Development in the Understanding of Chemistry Some examples: Sodium Carbonate (glass making and paper industries) Cement
Major Inventions: Machine Tools Tools for cutting, drilling, joining, bending and shaping metal – powered by steam and later electricity E.g. The Lathe
Major Innovations: Gas Lighting
The Social Effects of the Industrial Revolution 1. The Triumph of the Middle Class - power of landowners and nobility is completely destroyed 2. The Creation of Cities - the creation of factories allowed people to flock to urban areas 3. Child Labour - since physical strength and experience were no longer really needed the work of children was preferred - they could be paid much less and their productivity was similar - massive abuse and exploitation of children
The Social Effects of the Industrial Revolution Housing - the average person lived in poverty, filth and squalor - shared toilets and open sewers - Tuberculosis, Cholera, and Typhoid and various lung disease was rampant Massive Population increases - Britain's population quadrupled in the 19 th Century Poorer standard of Living - The average British man would make 20% less than what would be required to feed and house the average family
Other Effects of the Industrial Revolution Economic: - Massive increases in wealth - great divide between Europe and the rest of the world (industrialized vs. non-industrialized countries) Military: - The 19 th century started with muskets and ended with steel battleships and machine guns - Gave Europe a incredible military advantage over the rest of the planet