19th Century

What was the Enclosure Movement?

Landowners fenced off common lands, which forced many peasants to move to towns, creating a labor supply for factories.

What was the Agricultural Revolution?

Changed agricultural practices; where the expansion of farmland, good weather, improved transportation, and new crops such as the potato dramatically increased the food supply.

How did the Enclosure Movement and Agricultural Revolution lead to the Industrial Revolution?

The Agricultural Revolution allowed people to be fed at lower prices with less labor, and with this increased food supply the population grew. Britain had a ready supply of money (capital) to invest in new machines and factories; entrepreneurs found new business opportunities and new ways to make profits. Natural resources were plentiful in Britain, and a supply of markets gave British manufacturers a ready outlet for their goods.

Where did the Industrial Revolution begin? Why did it start there?

The Industrial Revolution started in Great Britain because natural resources were plentiful. The country’s rivers provided water power for the new factories and a means for transporting raw materials and finished products. There were also abundant supplies of coal and iron ore.

What were the positive impacts of the Industrial Revolution?

More Jobs – Factories created lots of new jobs for people in cities.

New Inventions and Technology – Improved transportation (trains, steamships), machines, and tools made life faster and more efficient.

Mass Production – Goods were made faster and cheaper, so more people could afford them.

Labor Unions – Workers joined together in unions to fight for better pay and safer conditions and gave workers a voice and power they didn’t have before.

Labor Laws – Over time, governments passed laws to protect workers: Limited child labor (Factory Act), set maximum working hours, required safer working conditions.

How did cities change as a result of the Industrial Revolution?

Cities changed a lot during the Industrial Revolution. Many people moved from farms to cities to work in factories, so cities grew very fast. At first, living conditions were poor—people lived in small, crowded homes, and there was a lot of pollution and disease. Over time, cities improved. They built better roads, clean water systems, and public transportation. More jobs also helped some workers earn better pay, and a new middle class started to grow.

What class tensions arose because of the Industrial Revolution?

The working class (factory workers) lived in hard conditions with long hours, low pay, and unsafe jobs. Meanwhile, factory owners and the upper class made a lot of money and lived comfortably. This caused anger and frustration among workers, who felt they were being treated unfairly. As a result, workers began to protest, form unions, and demand better conditions. The middle class also grew, and some of them looked down on the poor, which made the gap between classes even bigger.

What new economic theories developed in the 19th Century to address the increasing gap between the rich and the poor? What were the main ideas of these theories?

Socialism – The pitiful conditions created by the Industrial Revolution gave rise to a movement in which society, usually in the form of the government, owns and controls the means of production; aimed at reducing the gap between rich and poor by sharing wealth more equally.

Marx and Engels – German thinkers who believed history was a struggle between the rich (bourgeoisie) and the poor (proletariat). They supported communism, calling for workers to unite, overthrow the ruling class, and create a classless society where all property is shared equally.

Communism – An economic and political system where all property and resources are owned by the people as a whole, not by individuals. In theory, everyone is equal, there are no social classes, and the government (or workers) control the economy. The goal is a classless society where wealth is shared fairly.

What were the reasons for Imperialism in the 19th Century? What were some of the negative effects of Imperialism?

Imperialism – The extension of a nation’s power over other lands; had a strong economic motive through the search for markets and raw materials (rubber, oil, tin). European countries competed for colonies to gain power and prestige. A nation could not be great without colonies.

Negative Effects:

• Exploitation of People and Resources – Land, raw materials, and wealth were taken by force; locals worked in harsh conditions for little or no pay.

• Loss of Culture and Independence – Native traditions, languages, and religions were pushed aside; many regions were ruled by foreign powers.

• Racism and Social Darwinism – Social Darwinism claimed some races were “better” and used this to justify conquest.

• Violent Conflicts – Wars, uprisings, and deaths occurred; borders were drawn without regard for ethnic or tribal groups, causing long-term conflict.

How did Nationalism contribute to the unification of nations and World War I?

Nationalism motivated people in Italy and Germany to unite based on shared culture, language, and identity. In Italy, leaders like Cavour and Garibaldi defeated foreign rulers and merged states. In Germany, Otto von Bismarck used war and leadership to unite German states under Prussian rule, forming a strong empire by 1871. Nationalism also increased tension in Europe, as countries competed for power and glory, setting the stage for World War I.

What is realpolitik? How did Otto von Bismarck use realpolitik to unify Germany?

Realpolitik – A political strategy based on practical goals instead of ethics or ideals (“politics of reality”).

Bismarck used realpolitik and his "Blood and Iron" approach—war and industrial power—to unite Germany. He defeated Austria in the Seven Weeks’ War and France in the Franco-Prussian War. In 1871, Kaiser Wilhelm I was crowned emperor of a united Germany.

How did Italy unify in the 19th Century?

In the mid-1800s, Italy was divided and much of it was controlled by Austria.

• Giuseppe Mazzini inspired people with his dream of a united, republican Italy.

• Cavour (prime minister to King Victor Emmanuel II) united the north by building an army and allying with France to defeat Austria.

• Garibaldi led a volunteer army in the south to overthrow rulers, then gave the land to the king.

• By 1861, most of Italy was united. In 1870, after the Franco-Prussian War, Rome was made the capital.

How did the 19th Century pave the way for World War I?

The 19th century set the stage for World War I through growing nationalism, militarism, and rising tensions. Bismarck unified Germany through war and realpolitik, upsetting the balance of power—especially with France. Later, Kaiser Wilhelm II built up Germany’s military and empire, increasing hostility with other nations and bringing Europe closer to war.