History H: Industrial Revolution Test - Dwyer

Agricultural Revolution

A period of agricultural improvements that increased food production, including innovations such as crop rotation, new farming tools, and selective breeding.

Crop Rotation

A system of rotating crops on different fields to maintain soil fertility. Example: Charles Townshend's four-field system helped increase food production and improve soil health.

Enclosure Movement

Wealthy landowners fenced off common lands, forcing small farmers off their land, leading many former farmers to move to cities to work in factories.

Population Explosion

Increased food production from the Agricultural Revolution led to better diets and lower death rates, advancements in medicine and sanitation helped reduce disease.

Urbanization

The movement of people from farms to cities for factory jobs, driven by the Enclosure Movement and fewer agricultural jobs.

Where Industrial Revolution Began

The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain in the mid-1700s.

Abundant Natural Resources

Coal and iron were available for fuel and construction in Great Britain.

Large Labor Force

The population boom provided factory workers during the Industrial Revolution.

Wealth and Capital

Investors had money to invest in new businesses during the Industrial Revolution.

Markets

Britain had colonies to sell goods to, facilitating economic growth.

Stable Government

Supported economic growth and property rights during the Industrial Revolution.

Strong Navy

Protected trade routes for Great Britain during the Industrial Revolution.

Monopolies

Large corporations took control over entire industries, limiting competition. Example: John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company dominated the oil industry.

Corporations

Businesses owned by investors who buy shares of stock, with limited liability meaning investors only risked their investment.

Laissez-faire

A policy of minimal government interference in the economy, promoted by Adam Smith in his book The Wealth of Nations.

Positive Effects of the Industrial Revolution

Increased production of goods, economic growth and job creation, new inventions improved daily life, transportation advances, and rise of the middle class.

Negative Effects of the Industrial Revolution

Harsh working conditions in factories, child labor, poor living conditions in overcrowded cities, and environmental pollution from factories.

Life as a Worker in Factories

Long hours (12-16 hours per day), unsafe working conditions, low wages, and no job security or benefits.

Social Darwinism

The application of Charles Darwin's 'survival of the fittest' theory to society and economics, used to justify Laissez-faire capitalism.

Racism and Imperialism

Encouraged racism and imperialism, as some believed certain races or nations were superior.

Global Economy Creation

Transportation improvements (railroads, steamships) made global trade faster and cheaper. New industrial powers like Germany, France, and the U.S. joined Britain in mass production. Increased trade between countries as industrial nations imported raw materials and exported goods.

Cities during the Industrial Revolution

Overcrowded and unsanitary. Slums developed, with poor housing and no proper sewage systems. High crime rates and disease spread rapidly. Lack of clean water and pollution from factories.

Emigrants vs. Immigrants

Emigrants: People leaving their home country (example: Europeans leaving for the U.S.). Immigrants: People moving into a new country.

Population Explosion Causes

Better food supply from improved agriculture. Advancements in medicine (vaccines, sanitation). Increased birth rates and lower infant mortality.

New Social Structure

Upper Class: Wealthy industrialists and business owners. Upper Middle Class: Business professionals (doctors, lawyers). Lower Middle Class: Small business owners, teachers, clerks. Working Class: Factory workers and laborers.

Telegraph Inventor

Samuel Morse (Morse Code).

Light Bulb Inventor

Thomas Edison invented the light bulb and developed electrical power distribution.

Telephone Inventor

Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.

Assembly Line

A system where workers perform a specific task in production. Henry Ford used it to mass-produce cars.

Bessemer Process Inventor

Henry Bessemer invented the Bessemer Process, which made steel cheaper and stronger.

Cotton Gin Inventor

Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin and interchangeable parts.

Steamboat Developer

Robert Fulton developed the steamboat.

Steam Engines

Steam engines powered trains and ships.

Telegraph

Telegraph improved long-distance communication.

Interchangeable Parts

Identical components used in manufacturing.

Mass Production

Producing goods in large quantities, reducing costs.

Labor Unions

Organizations that fought for workers' rights. Used collective bargaining and strikes to demand better wages and conditions.

Women's Suffrage 1918

1918: British women over 30 gained the right to vote.

Flapper Act 1928

1928: Women over 21 gained suffrage.

Combinations Act

Originally outlawed labor unions but later allowed them (1799-1825).

Mines Act

Banned women and children under 10 from working in mines (1842).

Factory Act

Limited working hours for children. Required education for young workers (1833).

Socialism

Belief that the government should own and control key industries. Focused on equality and fair distribution of wealth.

Capitalism

Economic system where businesses are privately owned. Driven by profit, competition, and supply & demand.

Marx and Engels

Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels wrote The Communist Manifesto. Predicted workers (proletariat) would overthrow the bourgeoisie. Believed in a classless society with government control of production.

Adam Smith

Wrote The Wealth of Nations (1776). Supported Laissez-faire capitalism (no government interference).