How the INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Began: Unit 5 Topic 3

Definition of the Industrial Revolution

• The Industrial Revolution marks the transition from agrarian economies to industrial economies.

• Goods shifted from being made by hand to being produced by machine.

• This transition fundamentally altered global political power dynamics and societal structures.

• Industrial nations experienced significant wealth growth.

Origins of the Industrial Revolution

• Began in Great Britain around 1750.

• There are seven key factors explaining why Britain was first to industrialize:

1. Proximity to Waterways

• Great Britain’s location as an island with numerous rivers and canals enabled efficient transportation of goods.

• Allowed for rapid distribution of manufactured products to markets.

2. Geographical Distribution of Coal and Iron

• Britain was rich in coal resources necessary for powering machinery.

• Coal facilitated the enhanced production of iron, used in infrastructure such as bridges and railroads, aiding industrialization.

3. Access to Foreign Resources

• Britain’s colonial empire provided access to raw materials from North America and India.

• North American timber and Indian cotton were significant resources driving industrial growth.

4. Improved Agricultural Productivity

• Agricultural advancements increased food production, which led to greater food security for the population.

• Techniques like crop rotation and the seed drill improved farming efficiency, reducing waste and boosting yields.

• The introduction of new foods (e.g., potatoes from the Americas) improved diet and health, raising life expectancy significantly (from 37 to 41 years).

5. Rapid Urbanization

• Mechanization of farming reduced the need for agricultural labor, prompting rural workers to migrate to urban areas for jobs.

• Cities became manufacturing hubs, driving urban population growth.

6. Legal Protection of Private Property

• British laws safeguarded the rights of entrepreneurs, encouraging risk-taking and investment in new businesses.

• This legal framework contributed to an environment conducive to industrial innovation.

7. Accumulation of Capital

• Wealth accumulated through ventures like the Atlantic slave trade provided capital for investment in industrial ventures.

• Wealthy capitalists funded the development of manufacturing businesses, catalyzing the Industrial Revolution.

Emergence of the Factory System

• Definition: Factories were centralized locations where goods were produced on a mass scale using machines.

• The factory system arose from the need for efficient manufacturing processes.

• Early factories utilized water power, such as the water frame, to operate in textile production, coupled with machines like the spinning jenny.

• Specialization of labor emerged, with workers performing repeatable tasks, increasing efficiency but reducing the need for skilled artisans.

• Workers became interchangeable parts, which allowed for easier replacement compared to past production methods.