1. Dawn of the Industrial Age

2. Agricultural Revolution
Dutch first began to lead the way in the agricultural revolution
In the 1700s, British farmers expanded on the experiments of the Dutch
Jethro Tull invented a seed drill to aid farmers
Enclosures: the process of rich landowners taking over and fencing off land from peasant farmers
Farms became larger
Farm output rose, profits rose, but the need for workers declined
Jobless farmers migrated to towns and cities

3. Population Explosion
The agricultural revolution contributed to a population explosion that continues today.
Britain’s population nearly doubled from 1700 to 1800.
France had the largest population.
The population of Europe as a whole increased from roughly 120 million to 190 million from 1700 to 1800.
Caused by declining death rates.
Agricultural revolution reduced the risk of famine.
Improved farm machinery helped British farmers increase food production.
Women were healthier and had stronger babies.
In the 1800s, better hygiene and sanitation combined with improved medical care helped people live longer.

4. New Technology
New sources of energy enabled business owners to change the ways work was done
One important source was coal, used to develop the steam engine
In 1712, inventor Thomas Newcomen developed a steam engine powered by coal to pump water out of mines
Coal provided the fuel needed to produce iron, a material needed for construction of machines and steam engines
The steam engine became an important source of power during the Industrial Revolution
In 1709, Abraham Darby used coal to smelt iron, or separate iron from its ore
Produced better-quality and less expensive iron
High-quality iron was used more and more widely