The Industrial Revolution

PAVING THE WAY... The Agricultural Revolution of the 1700s changed farming. –Wealthy landowners bought out small farmers. –More advanced crop rotation = even more food. –Jethro Tull: Changed seed distribution –***Small farmers who are out of jobs have to go somewhere. But where?

What is the Industrial Revolution? It is a change in the way goods are produced. Before, most goods were produced, by hand, at home. Now, goods are produced in mass quantities by machines in factories.

Ind. Revolution: BEGINNINGS The Industrial Revolution began in Britain. Why? –Large population of workers (incl. Former small farmers) –Lots of natural resources including: Water power and coal to fuel machines Iron ore for construction Rivers and harbors

Other British Advantages Businessmen and banks eager to invest in new technologies. High demand for new goods Political stability (no revolutions) Britain had the 4 factors of production: –Land –Labor –Capital –Entrepreneurs (investors)

GOOD CHANGES Textiles: 1.John Kay’s flying shuttle, 2.James Hargreaves’ “spinning jenny”, 3.Arkwright’s waterframe, 4.Eli Whitney’s cotton gin.

GOOD CHANGES, Pt. 2 Transportation: 1. James Watt’s steam engine, 2. Robert Fulton’s steamboat (a whole 2 mph!), eventually, the railroad. Both textile production and transportation became more consistent.

BAD CHANGES Urbanization: People crowded into smelly cities that were heavily polluted. Working Conditions: 14 hours/day, 6 days/week. Factories were dirty, machines were dangerous. Child Labor: No limits to amount of work, danger. Children went to work to help families rather than go to school.