The Industrial Revolution Unit 4 Chapter 19 Section

Origin 1780’s – Great Britain Other revolutions taking place around the same time in Russia, Japan, France, Germany and the United States

Why there and then? Agriculture improving, resulting in more wealth More workers in towns New profits mean new investments in machinery Lots of available natural resources –Water to power machines –Iron for a building material –Coal for power Available markets due to size of Empire

The Factory No real regulation yet –Bosses want the factory running around the clock –Little regard for the worker –Women and children often worked to support household Often paid less than men –Labor Unions rise to protest unfair treatment

Urbanization Population growth Decrease in death rate –Mechanization produces better food and healthier people Lack of farm growth forces some farmers to the cities Poverty increases –City population increasing faster than city size growth –Many city dwellers living in pitiful conditions

Transportation Can bring raw materials to factories faster than before Richard Trevithick – Builds first steam locomotive (1804) The Rocket (left) a more successful version What could a successful transportation system produce European countries are producing roads, canals and railroads to enhance transportation Robert Fulton builds America’s first steamboat