Unit 5: Topic 1 -8

Flashcards about the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.

The Enlightenment

An intellectual movement characterized by rationalism and empiricism.

Rationalism

Knowledge obtained through reason, not emotion or external authority.

Empiricism

Knowledge gained through the senses and rigorous experimentation.

Natural Rights

Rights inherent to individuals, such as life, liberty, and property.

Social Contract

Governments should protect natural rights; people have the right to overthrow oppressive systems.

Effects of Enlightenment Ideas: Revolutions

Inspired the American, French, Haitian, and Latin American revolutions.

Rise of Nationalism

Creates a sense of commonality among people based on culture, language, and social customs.

Popular Sovereignty

Power to govern stems from the people, necessitating democratic principles.

Liberalism

Advocated civil rights, representative government, and economic freedom.

American Revolution (1776)

British colonies resisting new taxes post-Seven Years War.

Haitian Revolution (1791)

Enslaved population revolted against French colonial rule after hearing calls for liberty. Led by Toussaint Louverture, resulting in the establishment of the first black-led Republic.

The Industrial Revolution

Transition from agrarian economies to industrial economies and shift from hand-made goods to machine-made goods.

Proximity to Waterways

Facilitated efficient transportation of goods with abundant rivers and canals.

Improved Agricultural Productivity

Agricultural revolution increased food production and introduction of new foods diversified diets and improved nutrition, leading to better life expectancy.

Accumulation of Capital

Wealth from the Atlantic slave trade contributed to capital accumulation, which financially supported the startup of industrial businesses.

The Factory System

A factory is where goods are mass-produced by machines.

Steam Engine Development

Converted fossil fuels into mechanical energy. Allowed factories to be built away from fast-moving water sources. Enabled mass transportation of goods via steam ships, connecting distant markets.

Quick Adopters of Industrialization

Nations with rich resources and favorable conditions.

Japan

Resisted Western dominance through defensive industrialization during the Meiji Restoration. Adopted Western technologies and education to become a major regional power.

First Industrial Revolution (1750-1830)

Primarily centered around coal and steam power in Great Britain.

Second Industrial Revolution (mid-19th century - early 20th century)

Expanded beyond Britain to Europe, the United States, Russia, and Japan, characterized by oil and internal combustion engines.

Steel Production

Transition from iron to steel as the primary material due to the Bessemer Process. Stronger, cheaper, and more versatile for constructing bridges, railroads, and ships.

Development of Interior Regions

Expansion of railroads facilitated new settlements in previously inaccessible areas. Telecommunication advancements enabled real-time market intelligence, increasing goods production and sales.

Increase in Trade and Migration

Global trade multiplied and significant migration as populations moved from rural areas to urban centers in search of jobs.

Bottom-Up Approach to Industrialization

Seen in Western Europe and the US.

Top-Down Approach to Industrialization

Evident in Egypt and Japan.

Mercantilism

State-driven economic system.

Emergence of Free Market Economics

Market-driven system. Criticized mercantilism for benefiting the elite and being coercive.

Concept of Laissez-faire

Advocated for minimal government intervention. Individuals should make their own economic decisions.

Jeremy Bentham

Proposed government intervention to address social issues.

Zolverein

Customs union of German states aimed at creating a protective economic unit against British imports.

Transnational Corporations

Companies operating in multiple countries while being based in one.

Industrial Working Class

Composed mainly of factory workers and miners, transitioned from skilled labor to unskilled factory work, and viewed as interchangeable.

Middle Class

Included factory owners, managers, and white-collar workers and benefited the most from industrialization.

Pollution

Factories produced coal smoke and human and industrial waste contaminated water supply.

Housing Shortages

Overcrowding in cities resulted in poorly constructed tenements. Multiple families often shared small, unsanitary living spaces, promoting disease spread.