1. The Industrial Revolution

2. What is the Industrial Revolution?
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the
18th-20th centuries where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic, and cultural conditions of the time.

3. Changes That Led to the Revolution
The most important of the changes that brought about the Industrial Revolution were:
1) the invention of machines to do the work of hand tools
2) the use of steam, and later of other kinds of power, in place of the muscles of human beings and animals
3) the adoption of mass production and the factory system

4. Where did it all begin?
The industrial revolution first began in Great Britain then subsequently spread throughout Europe and into the United States.
Many of the same resources that enabled the British to mechanize industries and develop large-scale factories were also plentiful in the United States:
-rushing rivers
-rich deposits of coal and
iron ore
-unskilled immigrants eager
to find work

5. Americans Eager for Change
Many Americans were frustrated with limits and restrictions on international trade. They were eager to begin manufacturing domestic goods as opposed to relying on other countries, especially Britain, for trade.
In order to establish a truly independent nation, America wanted to be self-sufficient from the start. America was ready to embrace new forms of manufacturing and production of goods for themselves.

6. Technological Development
There were several leading sectors of technological development throughout the industrial revolution:
Textiles
Metallurgy
Mining
Steam Power
Chemicals
Machine Tools
Gas Lighting
Glass Making
Paper Making
Agriculture
Transportation

7. Change for the Better
Overall, the Industrial Revolution improved quality of life for most Americans in the following ways:
- Wealth (more jobs, steady salary, etc.)
Luxury goods (mass production=cheaper)
Health (medicine, diet, etc.)
Education (money to fund, more opportunity, etc.)
Western Expansion ( improvements in transportation)