Industrial Revolution Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards about the Industrial Revolution

Industrial Revolution

A period of significant technological and socioeconomic change that began in Britain between 1780 and 1850.

First Industrial Revolution

The initial phase of industrialization where Britain became the first industrialized nation due to agricultural developments, a stable banking system, abundant coal, and access to raw materials and markets.

Agricultural Developments

Significant changes to Britain's agricultural system before 1750 that supported a growing population and reduced infant mortality.

Enclosure Movement

The process of consolidating farmland into larger units, leading to more efficient farming but also the displacement of peasant farmers.

Open Field System

A traditional farming system where families cultivated small plots of land owned by the village, with common land for grazing and a portion of land left fallow each year.

Crop Rotation

A farming technique where different crops are planted in a specific sequence to replenish soil nutrients and increase productivity.

Selective Livestock Breeding

The practice of selectively breeding animals with desirable traits to improve the quality and quantity of livestock.

Investment

The act of putting money into businesses and infrastructure projects, facilitated by Britain's established banking system and wealthy individuals.

Overseas Trade

Foreign trade that was an important feature of the British economy, supported by a large merchant navy and acquisition of new colonies.

Cottage or Domestic Industry System

A system in which families made goods from their homes, eventually leading to the mass production of the industrial revolution.

Abraham Darby

Developed a technique in 1709 for using coke (coal) instead of charcoal to melt iron ore.

Thomas Newcomen

Invented the atmospheric steam engine in 1712, powered by coal, to pump water out of mines.

Flying Shuttle

An innovation by John Kay (1733) that greatly improved weaving speeds and the quality of finished cloth.

Spinning Jenny

An invention by James Hargreaves (1765) that sped up the process of spinning raw cotton or wool into thread.

Turnpike Trust Roads

A company that could improve a road and charge people to travel on it.

Canals

An important form of transportation development and aided in rapid industrialization in Britain in the 18th century.

Industrialism

A social or economic system built on manufacturing industries.

Steam Power

Watt's steam engine powered blast furnaces to achieve higher temperatures and better quality iron; led to a reduction of the amount of coal needed per tonne of iron produced.

Water Frame

Patented by Richard Arkwright in 1771.

Spinning Mule

Invented by Samuel Crompton in 1779 to produce higher quality thread with fewer workers

Cotton Gin

Invented by Eli Whitney to produce raw cotton more efficiently.

Raw Materials

Materials that Britain had access such as large supplies of coal, iron ore, wool and cotton.

Municipal Corporations Act

In 1835, a new system of local governments was set up in each town by allowing property owners can elect local officials and raise local taxes to improve the condition of towns, and a police force could be established

Public Health Act of 1848

Created the Board of Health in London - advised parliament and eventually led to the creation of local health boards that had the power to make improvements

Factory Act 1833

Applied to most textile mills. No child under the age of 9 could be employed. Restriction were placed on the number of hours children under 18 could work. Children 9-13 had to receive at least 2 hours of education a day

Mine Act 1842

Stopped all children under 10 and women from underground work.

Captain Swing Riots

1830-1831. Protests fighting against lack of employment, low wages, and poor working conditions.

Luddite Movement

1811-1816 former skilled textile workers broke into factories at night and destroyed machines which was swiftly handled by the government and members were imprisoned

Corresponding Societies

Groups of skilled workers, usually in weaving, shoemaking and metalwork created corresponding societies a political group that was sympathetic to Paine’s ideas, but did little to promote change

Peterloo

In 1819 60,000 men, women and children gathered to attend a public meeting at St. Peter’s Field to listen to radical political speaker Henry Hunt advocating for the reform of parliament; soldiers shut down, killing 11 people

Great Reform Act - 1832

Voting extended to men who owned property, still excluded most working class people; Aristocratic control over parliament was reduced; Middle class benefitted, but working class still suffered

Poor Law Amendment Act

The Speenhamland system was abolished to cut costs for landowners and workhouses were set up for women and children, old and sick and unemployed men.

The People’s Charter

A plan to help unite the working class across Britain drafted by a small group of skilled working class men and created a plan with aims to: Universal Manhood Suffrage, Equal representation in Parliament, Annual re-election of Parliament, Voting in public to avoid corruption