Early Industrialization and Its Impact

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to early industrialization, environmental impacts, and societal changes in Britain.

Coal

A fossil fuel that became the primary energy source for industrial processes, particularly in the 19th century.

Steam Power

The technology developed to convert the energy stored in steam into mechanical work, crucial for industrial machinery.

Urbanization

The increase in population and growth of cities that resulted from industrialization, affecting living conditions.

Environmental Justice

The movement to address the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities.

The Treaty of Nanjing (1842)

The agreement that ended the First Opium War, resulting in trade privileges for Britain in China.

Commodification

The process of transforming goods into commodities that can be traded in the market, often stripping them of their intrinsic value.

Transcendentalism

A philosophical movement that emphasized personal intuition and the inherent goodness of people, often in opposition to industrial society.

Henry David Thoreau

A transcendentalist writer known for his critique of industrial society and his emphasis on simple living, as detailed in his book 'Walden'.

Hudson River School

An artistic movement characterized by the depiction of American landscapes, emphasizing nature's beauty and its intrinsic value.

Industrialization

The process of transforming an economy from agricultural to one based on manufacturing, leading to significant societal changes.

Lumber Exhaustion

The depletion of forests due to overharvesting, leading to a search for alternative sources of energy.

Steam Power

The technology developed to convert the energy stored in steam into mechanical work, crucial for industrial machinery.

Urbanization

The increase in population and growth of cities that resulted from industrialization, affecting living conditions.

The Great Exhibition of 1851

A showcase of industrial advancements in London, reflecting the peak of the industrial era.

Environmental Justice

The movement to address the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on marginalized communities.

The Treaty of Nanjing (1842)

The agreement that ended the First Opium War, resulting in trade privileges for Britain in China.

Commodification

The process of transforming goods into commodities that can be traded in the market, often stripping them of their intrinsic value.

Transcendentalism

A philosophical movement that emphasized personal intuition and the inherent goodness of people, often in opposition to industrial society.

Henry David Thoreau

A transcendentalist writer known for his critique of industrial society and his emphasis on simple living, as detailed in his book 'Walden'.

Hudson River School

An artistic movement characterized by the depiction of American landscapes, emphasizing nature's beauty and its intrinsic value.

Factory System

A method of manufacturing first adopted in England at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, concentrating production in a central location, often employing specialized labor and machinery.

James Watt

A Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer whose improvements to the Newcomen steam engine were fundamental to the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution.

Capitalism

An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state, majorly impacting the Industrial Revolution.

Luddites

English textile workers in the 19th century who protested against newly introduced labor-replacing machinery from 1811 to 1816, often by destroying it.

Child Labor

The employment of children in industry or business, especially when illegal or regarded as exploitative, a common practice during the early stages of industrialization.