Industrial Revolution Study Guide

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Industrial Revolution, including its causes, key inventors, and the broader impact on society.

Industrial Revolution

The process of making goods with machines to increase labor efficiency.

Transportation & Geography

Factors contributing to the Industrial Revolution, including abundant rivers and canals for easy transportation of goods.

Raw Materials

Resources like coal and iron ore that were essential for powering the Industrial Revolution.

Productive Agriculture

Significant advances in farming leading to increased harvests and efficiency, using methods like crop rotation and seed drills.

Urbanization

The migration of people from rural areas to urban cities due to population growth and changes in agriculture.

Protection of Property

Laws protecting private property, allowing entrepreneurs to take risks and build businesses without fear of government or business interference.

Foreign Resources

Access to raw materials from British colonies that fueled industrial production.

Accumulation of Capital

Wealth generated by practices like the slave trade and British capitalism, used for investment into factories and production.

Factory System

Method of production where goods are manufactured in mass, replacing individual artisan production.

Richard Arkwright

Inventor of the water frame, which allowed faster spinning of thread using water power.

James Hargreaves

Inventor of the spinning jenny which enabled one worker to spin multiple threads at once, increasing textile production.

Eli Whitney

Inventor who introduced the concept of interchangeable parts, increasing production speed and efficiency.

Big Picture of the Industrial Revolution

Transformations of economies, social structures, and ways of life, driven by resources, capital, a labor supply, technology, and stable government.