The Industrial Revolution

Causes Improved farming techniques creates “jobless” farmers Improved farming techniques creates “jobless” farmers Population boom Population boom –120 million – 190 million in 1700’s New ways of using water power New ways of using water power –Steam Engine perfected by James Watt

Great Britain – perfect jumping off point Great Britain – perfect jumping off point –Large supply of coal/iron –Lots of workers –Center of Scientific Rev. and Enlightenment –Prosperous Economy –High demand for goods –Stable Government

Shifts from “Putting Out” System Shifts from “Putting Out” System –Before: Peasants spun cotton into thread and thread into cloth in their own homes –After: Inventions like the flying shuttle and water frame cannot be used in homes; leads to first factories

Impacts Physical Environment Changes Physical Environment Changes –People move from farms to city –Overcrowding, new cities (Manchester 17,000 in 1750’s, 70,000 in 1801) –Pollution of air, water –Deep division between rich and poor in terms of living conditions  Poor live in slum tenements with no light, running water, or sanitation systems

Daily Life Daily Life –Rigid work schedule, unlike prior farm life – hour work days –Machine accidents, inhaling coal dust –Family life suffers –Children face abuse, harsh conditions in factories

“Haves vs. Have Nots” “Haves vs. Have Nots” –Unions/strikes outlawed –Middle class flourishes – new “entrepreneurs”– “rags to riches” story leads to values of hard work

Karl Marx Growth of capitalism = poverty Growth of capitalism = poverty Few wealthy business people BUT most people poor workers Few wealthy business people BUT most people poor workers Workers seize control of “means of production” Workers seize control of “means of production” One’s work = one’s pay One’s work = one’s pay