The Industrial Revolution and Its Impacts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the Industrial Revolution, capitalism, socialism, and social changes during this period.

Capitalism

An economic system where private individuals and corporations own and operate the means of production and distribution.

Industrial Capitalism

A phase of capitalism characterized by industrial production and the use of machinery.

Trusts

Large business entities formed by companies to dominate markets by eliminating competition.

Robber Barons

Business leaders who were perceived to use exploitative practices to amass their wealth.

Socialism

An economic system advocating for collective or governmental ownership of production and property.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society where all property is publicly owned.

Proletariat

The working-class laborers in a capitalist society.

Bourgeoisie

The capitalist class who own the means of production and employ wage labor.

Cult of Domesticity

A societal ideal in the 19th century that emphasized women's roles as homemakers and moral guardians.

Separate Spheres

A social norm that designated distinct roles and spaces for men (public sphere) and women (private sphere).

Urbanization

The process of making an area more urban, typically involving a population shift from rural to urban areas.

Electric light

A major technological development that allowed homes and cities to be illuminated and transformed daily life.

Laissez-faire

An economic policy advocating for minimal government intervention in the economy.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed by workers to protect and promote their common interests, often concerning wages, hours, and working conditions.

Tenements

Crowded, unsanitary, and often dilapidated apartment buildings, common in rapidly urbanizing areas.

Mass Production

The manufacture of large quantities of standardized products, often using assembly lines or other automated technologies.

Karl Marx

A German philosopher and economist, Karl Marx is known for his theories on socialism and communism, advocating for the working class to overthrow capitalist systems.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

A French philosopher and writer, Jean Jacques Rousseau is recognized for his influential ideas on political philosophy, including the concept of the social contract and ideals of freedom and equality.

Middle Class

A social class that emerged during the Industrial Revolution, characterized by rising economic power, education, and cultural influence, distinct from both the working class and the elite.

Cult of Domesticity

A prevailing value system among the upper and middle classes in the 19th century that emphasized women's roles as homemakers, caretakers, and moral guardians within the family.

Henry Ford 

An American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company, known for revolutionizing assembly line production and making automobiles affordable for the average American.

Electricity

A form of energy resulting from the flow of electric charge, which became essential for powering machinery and domestic appliances during the Industrial Revolution.

Telegraph

A communication system that transmits messages over long distances using coded signals, significantly improving rapid information exchange during the Industrial Revolution.

Guglielmo Marconi

An Italian inventor and electrical engineer, known for developing the first practical radio communication system, which enhanced long-distance communication during the Industrial Revolution.

Louis Pasteur

A French biologist and chemist, renowned for his discoveries in microbiology and for developing the pasteurization process, which was crucial in improving food safety and health during the Industrial Revolution.

Charles Darwin

An English naturalist known for his theory of evolution by natural selection, which transformed biological sciences and influenced societal views during the Industrial Revolution.

Charles Lyell

A geologist whose principles established the foundation for modern geology, emphasizing the significance of gradual geological processes. His work greatly influenced the acceptance of evolutionary theory during the Industrial Revolution.