Industrial Revolution and Imperialism Overview

Agricultural Revolution Impact

Increased food supply, population growth, rural workers moved to cities

Why Britain?

Natural resources, stable government, capital for investment, innovation

Spinning Jenny

Increased textile production

Steam engine

Powered machinery and transport

Power loom

Faster weaving of cloth

Urbanization

The movement of people to cities for work

Tenement Housing

Overcrowded, unsanitary apartment buildings for working-class families

Poor Conditions → Change

Led to reform laws like the Factory Act of 1833 (limited child labor)

Imperialism

Domination of one country over another politically, economically, or culturally

16th vs 19th Century

16th: Focus on exploration and trade; 19th: More aggressive colonization and control

Motives for Imperialism

Economic gain, political power, nationalism, missionary efforts

Social Darwinism

Justification for imperialism through the idea of 'survival of the fittest'

White Man's Burden

Belief that Europeans had a duty to civilize non-Europeans

Berlin Conference (1884-85)

Divided Africa among European powers with no regard for native cultures

African Resistance

Ethiopia (Menelik II) resisted successfully; most others failed due to lack of technology

Apartheid

Legalized racial segregation in South Africa

Sepoy Rebellion (1857)

Indian soldiers rebelled against British over cultural/religious insensitivity

Gandhi's Role

Led nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience; Hindu values of peace, nonviolence, self-discipline