AP World - The Industrial Revolution

Socialism

An economic system that advocates government regulation of the economy to force a more equitable distribution of wealth. Often ensuring government ownership of necessary services like infrastructure, healthcare and education. In theory it is the stage between Capitalism and Communism. Located in Europe.

Wealth of Nations

A book by Adam Smith in 1776 that laid the foundation for modern capitalism, arguing for free markets and minimal government interference in the economy. Located in Europe.

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of property and production for profit through competitive, free markets that has little to no government involvement/regulation. Located in Europe.

Industrial Capitalism

A form of capitalism that emerged in the Industrial Revolution, characterized by industrial production, factory systems, and wage labor. Located in Europe.

Adam Smith

Scottish economist who advocated free-market economics and wrote The Wealth of Nations. Located in Europe.

Laissez-faire

The idea that governments should not interfere with business or economic affairs. Literally means "let it be"/"leave it alone". Located in Europe.

Karl Marx

German philosopher and economist who co-wrote The Communist Manifesto, critiquing capitalism. He argued that the "haves" would exploit the "have nots" until a world revolution occurred that would make everyone equal. Located in Europe.

Fredrick Engels

A Germain social scientist, philosopher, and political theorist. Co-author of The Communist Manifesto; supported Marx's theories and analyzed industrial society's inequalities. Located in Europe.

Communism

A economic theory advocating for a classless society in which the means of production are owned and controlled collectively, and all property is publicly owned. Located in Europe.

Communist Manifesto

1848 pamphlet by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that outlines communism, criticizes capitalism, and calling for workers to unite and overthrow capitalist systems. It outlines theoretical economic stages of Capitalism through Socialism to Communism. Located in Europe.

Industrial Revolution

Period of technological and economic transformation beginning in Britain in the 18th century, characterized by the use of new power sources like steam and coal, and leading to mechanization and rapid urbanization growth. Located in Europe.

Spinning Jenny

A multi-spindle spinning frame invented by James Hargreaves that reduced the amount of work needed to produce yarn and increased textile production speed. Located in Europe.

Water frame

A water-powered spinning machine invented by Richard Arkwright that revolutionized textile manufacturing and contributed to the creation of the factory system. Located in Europe.

James Hargreaves

An English inventor who created the Spinning Jenny in 1764, key to mechanizing textile production. Located in Europe.

Richard Arkwright

An English inventor and entrepreneur who is credited for developing the water frame and factory system. Known as the "Father of the Factory" and the first millionaire. Located in Europe.

Eli Whitney

American inventor of the cotton gin and interchangeable parts, which transformed manufacturing. Located in North America.

Interchangeable parts

Identical machine parts that could be mass-produced and used in place of one another, making machine repair easier; crucial for modern factories. Located in North America.

Steam engine

Machine that converts heat energy into motion; perfected by James Watt, and it powered factories, locomotives, and ships. Located in Europe.

James Watt

Scottish inventor and engineer, whose improvements to the Newcomen steam engine made it more efficient and central to industrial power and to the Industrial Revolution. Located in Europe.

Steamship/Steamboat

Boat powered by steam engines, revolutionizing transportation across rivers and oceans. First developed by Robert Fulton. Located in North America.

Crop rotation

The agricultural practice of growing different types of crops in sequence on the same piece of land over a period of time to help improve soil fertility. Located in Europe.

Seed drill

Agricultural sowing device invented by Jethro Tull that accurately planted seeds evenly, then covering them. Significantly increasing crop yields. Located in Europe.

Fossil fuel

Natural energy sources like coal and oil formed from ancient organic matter, used for energy during and after the Industrial Revolution.

Coal

A combustible black sedimentary rock used as a fossil fuel, a key energy source of the Industrial Revolution, to power engines and factories.

Cholera

Infectious disease spread through contaminated water, common in industrial cities with poor sanitation.

Locomotive

Steam-powered railway vehicle used to pull trains that transformed land transportation. Located in Europe.

George Stephenson

English engineer who built the first successful steam locomotive, named "The Rocket". Known as the "Father of Railways." Located in Europe.

Transcontinental Railroad

Railroad connecting the east and west coasts of the U.S., promoting commerce, westward expansion, and migration. Located in North America.

Second Industrial Revolution

A phase of rapid industrialization in late 19th-century, marked by advances in steel, chemicals, electricity, and communication. Located in Europe.

Trans-Siberian Railroad

Major Russian rail line connecting Moscow to the Pacific, aiding in the expansion, industrialization and development of Siberia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Located in Europe.

Bessemer Process

The first inexpensive industrial process for the mass-producing of steel, efficiently using air to remove impurities from molten iron. Invented by Henry Bessemer. Located in Europe.

Edward Jenner

English physician and scientist who developed the first smallpox vaccine, advancing medical science and leading to a decline in some infectious diseases. Located in Europe.

Urbanization

Movement of people from rural areas to cities, primarily driven by the growing of factories and jobs during industrialization, leading to rapid urban growth and social change.

Industrialization

The transition from agrarian and handicraft-based economies to ones dominated by industry, factory production, and machine manufacturing. Began in Europe.

Cottage industry

Pre-industrial home-based production system where merchants provided raw materials to rural workers (often families) who manufactured goods, such as textiles, in their own homes. Located in Europe.

Putting-out system

Early manufacturing system where merchants distributed materials to rural workers for processing. Located in Europe.

Factory system

Centralized production using machinery and wage labor, replacing cottage industry and driving the Industrial Revolution. Located in Europe.

Factors of production

The resources necessary to produce goods and services, traditionally classified as land, labor, and capital. Located in Europe.

Division of labor

The assigning of different parts of a manufacturing process, or task, to different workers to improve efficiency. Located in Europe.

Assembly line

Manufacturing process in which parts are added to a product in a sequential manner as it moves along a conveyor belt, increasing speed and efficiency. Located in North America

Second Agricultural Revolution

A period of great productivity in agriculture beginning in the 18th century that used new techniques (crop rotation, seed drill) and technologies, helping to rapidly expand food production helping to fuel the Industrial Revolution and feed growing populations. Located in Europe.

Enclosure movement

British policy of enclosing community land into larger private holdings, displacing peasants and forcing many to become wage laborers or migrate to cities for industrial work. Located in Europe.

Capital

Wealth in the form of money or assets owned by a person or organization, used for investment to build industry. Located in Europe.

Corporations

Businesses owned by shareholders who buy shares of stock, which limits their personal financial risk and liability. Located in Europe.

Stock market

System for buying and selling company shares, providing a way for corporations to raise capital. Located in Europe.

Monopoly

Exclusive control over a product or industry by a single company. Located in Europe.

John Stuart Mill

British philosopher and economist, advocating utilitarianism and liberal social reform, and argued for individual liberty and rights, even while supporting some government intervention in the economy. Located in Europe.

Tenement

A building or house divided into separate residences for rent, poorly maintained and overcrowded, and housing the working-class families in industrial cities. Located in Europe.

Working class

Social group composed of people who perform manual labor often in factories or mines, and dependent on wage labor. Emerged during industrialization. Located in Europe.

Middle class

Social class between the upper and working classes, including professionals, capitalists, bankers, and business owners. Typically very wealthy. Located in Europe.

White-collar

Salaried workers in office, professional, and managerial roles. Located in Europe.

Internal combustion engine

A heat engine powered by burning fuel in an enclosed space, developed during the Second Industrial Revolution. Key to powering automobiles. Located in Europe.

Specialization of labor

Focusing workers on specific tasks to improve productivity.

Textile production

Manufacturing of cloth and fabric. First industry to industrialize. Kicked off early industrialization with inventions like the Spinning Jenny and Water Frame. Located in Europe.

Migrant worker

Person who leaves home to find employment in another region or country, often industrial or agricultural.

Indentured labor

System where workers sign contracts to work for fixed terms (usually 4-7 years) in exchange for payment of travel expenses or training.

Gold standard

Monetary system where the standard economic unit of account is a fixed weight of gold, linking paper money to a fixed amount of gold.

Insurance

A practice where individuals pool money, often administered by a company or government agency. Individuals can then receive compensation and financial protection against loss like damage, illness, or death. Located in Europe.

Limited-liability corporations

Business structure where members of the company or shareholders can not be held responsible for the company's debts or liabilities. Located in Europe.

Telegraph

A revolutionary communication device that, along a wire, allowed messages to be transmitted over long distances using electrical signals. Located in Europe.

Evangelical Christianity

Religious movement emphasizing individuals had the power to change their lives, and could ensure their own salvation and improve their communities. Located in North America.