WHII Study Guide Industrial Revolution

Industrial Revolution

A period of major industrialization that began in England in the late 18th century.

Enclosure Movement

The process of wealthy landowners buying up land from poor farmers and closing it off using fences.

Urbanization

The growth of cities as a result of people moving from rural areas to urban areas during the Industrial Revolution.

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership and investment of money in business ventures to make a profit.

Laissez-Faire

An economic principle of minimal government interference in the economy.

Socialism

An economic system where production is publicly or collectively owned and operated for the benefit of all members of society.

Communism

An economic and political system in which all property is publicly owned, and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.

Spinning Jenny

A multi-spindle spinning frame invented by James Hargreaves that revolutionized the process of spinning wool into yarn.

Cotton Gin

A machine invented by Eli Whitney that quickly and efficiently removed seeds from cotton.

Bessemer Process

A method for producing cheap and strong steel by injecting air into molten iron.

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed by workers to advocate for better working conditions and rights.

Proletariat

The working class, particularly in relation to the economic theories of Marxism.

The 19th Amendment

The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that granted women the right to vote.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

A significant strike by railroad workers that turned violent, highlighting tensions between labor and government.

Natural Resources

Materials such as rivers, coal, and iron that were abundant in England and fueled the Industrial Revolution.

Middle Class

A social class that grew during the Industrial Revolution, consisting of individuals who benefited from industrialization.

Child Labor

The employment of children in industries and factories, which was common during the Industrial Revolution.

Steam Engine

A machine invented by James Watt that played a key role in the Industrial Revolution by providing power for factories, steamboats, and trains.

Wealth Distribution

The way wealth is divided among individuals in a society, often resulting in disparities between the rich and poor.

Public Education

Education provided by the government aimed at improving literacy and skills among the population, expanded due to reforms during the Industrial Revolution.