Industrial Revolution

What was the Industrial Revolution?

A period of profound economic, technological, and social change that began in Britain in the mid-18th century and marked the shift from agrarian economies to industrialized systems of production.

What were key factors for the onset of industrialization in Britain?

Agricultural Revolution, population growth, access to natural resources, capital and banking, colonial empire and trade, political stability, and technological advancements.

What technological invention in 1769 revolutionized factory efficiency?

The steam engine, developed by James Watt.

What was the impact of the factory system?

It ended cottage industries, allowed for mass production, and led to urbanization.

What is Laissez-Faire Capitalism?

An economic system where the government minimizes its intervention in the markets and private businesses operate independently.

Who were some of the key figures associated with the rise of industrial capitalism?

John D. Rockefeller in oil and Andrew Carnegie in steel.

What did Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels criticize in their writings?

They criticized capitalism for exploiting the working class and called for a proletarian revolution.

What were some social effects of industrialization on workers?

Formation of labor unions, harsh working conditions leading to demands for reforms, and the establishment of workers' rights.

What was the main goal of the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848?

To demand women’s suffrage and rights.

What is the significance of the Second Industrial Revolution?

It focused on advancements in steel, chemicals, electricity, and oil, leading to new innovations like the internal combustion engine and radio.

What did the Bessemer Process improve?

It allowed for the mass production of steel, crucial for building railroads and infrastructure.

What major transportation development connected distant markets in the U.S. during the late 19th century?

The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869.

What role did government play in Japan's industrialization during the Meiji Restoration?

The government actively sponsored industrialization to build modern factories, railroads, and shipyards.

How did urbanization affect living conditions during industrialization?

It led to overcrowded slums, poor sanitation, and frequent disease outbreaks.

What did compulsory education laws aim to achieve?

They required basic schooling to create a literate workforce, responding to the needs of industrial society.