Industrial Revolution & Economic Theories: Key Concepts and Social Changes

Who wrote 'The Wealth of Nations' and in what year?

Adam Smith wrote 'The Wealth of Nations' in 1776.

What economic system did Adam Smith lay the basis for?

Capitalism.

What does Adam Smith mean by the 'invisible hand'?

The 'invisible hand' refers to the self-regulating nature of the marketplace where individuals' self-interest leads to economic benefits for society.

What role does government play in Smith's economic theory?

Smith believed in minimal government intervention, advocating for laissez-faire capitalism.

What was Britain's chief export before the Industrial Revolution?

High quality wool.

What invention required coal and was crucial for running machines during the Industrial Revolution?

The steam engine.

How did the Columbian Exchange impact Britain's population?

It introduced the potato, which provided more food per acre, leading to a population boom.

What transportation innovations were developed during the Industrial Revolution?

The steam railroad and the steamship.

What was the Great Exhibition of 1851?

It was an event showcasing industrial achievements, featuring a large steel and glass structure.

How did the Industrial Revolution affect the British middle class?

The middle class became extremely wealthy, leading to leisure time and consumerism.

What was a significant social change for the middle class during the Industrial Revolution?

The concept of leisure time and vacations emerged.

What were the living conditions like for the working class during the Industrial Revolution?

They were terrible, often living in overcrowded tenements with poor sanitation.

What was the 'Iron Law' of Wages?

It stated that wages would always be kept near the minimum needed for survival.

How did factory owners exploit child labor during the Industrial Revolution?

Children were paid significantly less than adults and worked long hours under dangerous conditions.

What was the life expectancy for working class people in Liverpool in the 1850s?

It dropped to 18 years.

What substances became widely abused by the working class during the Industrial Revolution?

Gin and opium.

What were the Poor Laws of 1834?

They allowed for some government assistance in cases of extreme poverty.

What was the purpose of workhouses?

To provide assistance to the poor, often under harsh conditions to discourage laziness.

What was a consequence of the lack of government regulation during the Industrial Revolution?

The development of modern finance and the rise of commercial banks and stock markets.

How did the middle class view the industrial city of Manchester?

They saw it as a sign of civilization's progress despite its pollution.

What was the impact of improved transportation methods during the Industrial Revolution?

They facilitated the movement of raw materials and finished goods.

What did the Industrial Revolution lead to in terms of consumer goods?

A rebirth of consumerism and the creation of industries focused on making goods for the middle class.

What was the significance of Britain's geography during the Industrial Revolution?

It provided resources like coal and iron, and facilitated transportation with navigable rivers and ports.

What was the effect of the Industrial Revolution on the concept of family leisure?

It allowed families to afford time off work to enjoy leisure activities together.

What was a common condition of factories during the Industrial Revolution?

They were inherently dangerous with no safety features, leading to frequent injuries.

What was the societal perception of the working class's substance abuse?

The middle class viewed it as immoral, which influenced their reluctance to help the poor.

What were tenements and how did they affect the working class?

Tenements were overcrowded, poorly built apartments that housed entire families, contributing to poor living conditions.

Adam Smith

An economist and philosopher known as the father of capitalism, who advocated for free markets and the benefits of competition.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.

Invisible Hand

A metaphor introduced by Adam Smith to describe the self-regulating nature of the marketplace, where individuals' pursuit of self-interest leads to economic benefits for society.

Industrialization

The process of transforming economies from agrarian to industrial, characterized by the growth of factories and mass production.

Leisure

Free time that individuals can use for enjoyment and relaxation, which increased during the Industrial Revolution due to changes in work patterns.

Consumerism

A social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts.

Middle Class Values/Self-Help

A set of beliefs emphasizing self-improvement, hard work, and personal responsibility, often associated with the emerging middle class during the Industrial Revolution.

Working Class

The social class consisting of individuals who work for wages, often in manual or industrial labor, particularly during the Industrial Revolution.

Condition of the Working Class in England

Refers to the poor living and working conditions faced by laborers during the Industrial Revolution, which led to social reform movements.

What is child labor?

The practice of employing children in factories and other industries, often under harsh conditions.

During which period was child labor prevalent?

The Industrial Revolution.

At what age did children typically start working during the Industrial Revolution?

Age 6.

Poor Laws

Legislation aimed at providing assistance to the poor, which evolved during the Industrial Revolution to address the needs of the working class.

Nationalism

A political ideology that emphasizes the interests of a particular nation, often leading to the desire for national independence or unification.

Giuseppe Mazzini

An Italian nationalist and revolutionary who played a key role in the unification of Italy and promoted the idea of a unified Italian republic.

Unification of Italy

The political and social process that consolidated various states of the Italian peninsula into the single nation of Italy in the 19th century.

Unification of Germany

The process of unifying various German states into a single nation-state, completed in 1871 under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck.

Theory of Evolution

A scientific theory proposed by Charles Darwin that explains the diversity of life through natural selection and adaptation over time.

Social Darwinism

A social theory that applies the concept of 'survival of the fittest' to human societies, often used to justify imperialism and inequality.

Karl Pearson

A British mathematician and statistician known for his work in statistics and eugenics, and for promoting the application of Darwinian principles to society.

Scientific Racism

The use of scientific theories and methods to justify racial discrimination and the belief in the superiority of certain races over others.

Eugenics

A social philosophy advocating for the improvement of human genetic traits through selective breeding and other interventions.

Josiah Strong

An American clergyman and author who advocated for American expansionism and the spread of Christianity, often linked to imperialist ideologies.

The Boer War

A conflict between the British Empire and the two Boer republics in South Africa (1899-1902) over control of the region, highlighting imperial tensions.

Quinine

A medication used to treat malaria, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, and played a significant role in European colonial expansion in Africa.

David Livingstone

A Scottish missionary and explorer known for his explorations of Africa and his efforts to end the slave trade.

Henry Stanley

A Welsh-American explorer and journalist known for his expeditions in Africa and for finding David Livingstone.

Scramble for Africa

The rapid invasion, colonization, and annexation of African territory by European powers in the late 19th century.

The Berlin Conference

A meeting of European powers in 1884-1885 to establish rules for the colonization of Africa, leading to the partitioning of the continent.

The Three 'C's

A phrase referring to the motivations for imperialism: Christianity, Commerce, and Civilization.

The Berlin Act of 1885

An agreement that regulated European colonization and trade in Africa, establishing guidelines for the partition of the continent.

Congo Free State

A large area in Central Africa that was privately controlled by King Leopold II of Belgium, notorious for its exploitation and human rights abuses.

Nigeria

A country in West Africa that was colonized by the British and became a significant part of the Scramble for Africa.

Direct Control

A colonial policy where the colonizing country directly governs the colony, often replacing local leaders with their own officials.

Indirect Control

A colonial policy where local rulers maintain their authority under the guidance of colonial powers, allowing for some degree of self-governance.

Ethiopia

A country in East Africa that successfully resisted colonization and maintained its independence during the Scramble for Africa.