Industrial Revolution Study Notes

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the Industrial Revolution.

Industrial Revolution

A period of significant scientific and technological development that transformed society from a largely agricultural one to an industrialized one, occurring roughly between 1750 and 1900.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

A measure of a country's economic performance, representing the total value of all goods and services produced over a specific time period.

Steam Engine

An engine that uses heat to produce steam that drives a turbine or piston for power, significantly impacting transportation and industry during the Industrial Revolution.

Spinning Jenny

A multi-spindle spinning frame invented by James Hargreaves in 1764 that allowed for the simultaneous production of multiple spools of thread.

Cotton Gin

A machine invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 that efficiently removed seeds from cotton fibers, transforming the cotton industry and increasing demand for cotton.

Telegraph

A communication system invented by Samuel Morse that used electrical signals to transmit messages over wires, enabling near-instantaneous communication.

Combustion Engine

An engine that generates power by burning fuel inside a piston, leading to advancements in personal and industrial transportation.

Assembly Line

A manufacturing process where a product moves down a conveyor belt, and each worker performs a specific task, allowing for mass production.

Labor Unions

Organizations formed by workers to advocate for better wages and working conditions, often emerging in response to exploitative labor practices during the Industrial Revolution.

Child Labor

The practice of employing children in factories and mines under harsh conditions, often for long hours and low pay, prevalent during the Industrial Revolution.

Factory Act of 1833

Legislation aimed at improving working conditions for children in factories, limiting working hours, and establishing inspections.

Urbanization

The process of population shift from rural areas to cities, which was accelerated during the Industrial Revolution due to the rise of factories and jobs.

Socialism

A political and economic theory advocating for collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production, often in response to industrial capitalist practices.

Cottage Industry

A system of production where goods are produced by hand in homes rather than in factories, prevalent prior to the Industrial Revolution.

Mercantilism

An economic theory prevalent in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries, advocating for national economic power and control of trade.

Electric Power Grid

A network for delivering electricity from producers to consumers, revolutionized by innovations in electric motors and generators during the Industrial Revolution.

Pollution

The presence of harmful substances in the environment, often greatly increased during the Industrial Revolution due to industrial processes.

Inequality for Women

The social and economic disparities faced by women, especially in the workforce during the Industrial Revolution, where they often earned less than men.