Dawn of the Industrial Age  For thousands of years, most of human civilization lived and worked in small farming villages.  However, in the mid-1700’s, in Britain, a chain of events occurred that would change civilization forever!  It was a slow change that saw small hand tools give way to large pieces of farming equipment.  It was not limited to British farms…it soon transformed people’s lives all over the world.

Industrial Revolution  Farming in the middle ages: Villages feed themselves. One of three fields left fallow to regain fertility. Animals grazed in common pastures.  Disadvantages: Land use inefficient. Farmers didn’t experiment with new farming methods. As population grows, more food is needed.

Agricultural Revolution  Enclosure Movement: Wealthy landlords fenced in common pastures and experimented with new farming technology. Villages lost common lands and peasants became poorer.  Crop rotation: Fields depleted of nutrients by one crop replenished by planting different crops Field not left inefficiently fallow.

Enclosure Movement in Britain…

Agricultural Revolution  Other Advancements: Seed drill planted seeds efficiently. Results of the Agricultural Revolution:  More food available  Population increased

Cottage Industry and Early Capitalism  A Merchant’s Role in the Cottage Industry: Supplied materials – wool and cotton- to cottages to be spun. Took supplies from spinning cottage to weaving cottage to dyeing cottage to sell finished cloth. Merchants sell product for more than material and labor cost.  Capitalism: An economic system based on private ownership, free competition, and profit. Cottage industry is an example of early capitalism. New class of merchants would set up an enterprise- business organization. Money earned by business leaders and peasants.

The Textile Industry and Factory System  Textile Industry Invented Cottage industry couldn’t keep up with demand for textiles. Flying shuttle, spinning jenny, water frame, improved spinning. Power loom sped up weaving. Cotton gin separated seeds from cotton.  Rise of the Factory New machines, often too big for homes, were put in factories. Factories located near power source: coal, iron, water. Prices of mass-produced textiles were much lower than hand-produced items. Britain’s textile industry increased enormously. Factories became the work place for many peasants!

Steam Engine: Energy for the Industrial Revolution  The Need for Energy: Steam engine evolved in response to the increasing need for power. The effects of the steam engine:  Steam power, used where ever coal existed, increased textile production.  Improved mining which increased metals which in turn fueled other industries.  How the Steam Engine Works: Steam is forced from high to low pressure. Water is heated in a container that is sealed w/the exception of a valve. It escapes the high pressure area of the container through the valve. The steam is then forced upward, pushing a piston, which in turn produces power.

How the Steam Engine Works

Iron and Coal: Energy for the Industrial Revolution  The Need for Iron: Farming tools, new factory machinery, railways, etc. Iron smelting is a chemical process by which impurities are removed from compound iron ore. During the smelting process, carbon and heat are applied to the iron ore. This changes the metal’s atomic structure. The resulting STEEL is both more flexible and more durable. =i6BIyQJZdTg  The Need for Coal: Coal was abundant in Britain. Coal was required to operate steam engines. Coal was a major export for the country. One note… Britain produced more iron than all other countries of the world combined!

Transportation  The Need for Better Transportation: Increased production also increased the need to transport goods quickly and cheaply. Pre-Industrial society used horses, mules, and dirt roads.  Inventions/Effects of Railroads: Railroads expanded rapidly throughout Britain. Cheaper transportation increased production and profits. Railways fueled other industries: coal, steam engines, iron, steel and many manufactured products.

Why Britain Led the Industrial Revolution  Geography: Climate good for textile production. Plenty of natural resources such as iron and coal. Separation from the European continent kept them out of wars.  Government: Trade encouraged Promoted capitalism Helped build canals and roads.

Why Britain Led the Industrial Revolution Colonial Empire: Supplied raw material for manufactured goods. Provided market for goods Advantages of Industrializing first:  No other countries producing goods on a large scale.  Monopoly on technology