5.3 Industrialization Begins

Causes of the Industrial Revolution

As industrialization began, human populations grew and changed with activities that radically altered the environment. The Industrial Revolution, from 1750-1900, took place primarily in Britain, but also in other countries such as the United States, Germany, and France. During this time, there were significant advances in technology, transportation, and manufacturing, which led to critical changes in the way goods were produced and consumed.

One of the key factors that contributed to the Industrial Revolution was the development of new sources of energy, particularly coal and steam power. The steam engine, which was invented in the late 18th century, made it possible to power factories and machines, which led to an increase in production and a decrease in the cost of goods.

The Industrial Revolution also saw the development of new technologies, such as the cotton gin and the power loom, which made it possible to produce textiles more efficiently. This led to the growth of the textile industry, which became one of the most important industries during this time. 🪡

If it were not for the necessary elements from the environment, the Industrial Revolution would have been unsuccessful. A variety of factors contributed to the growth of industrial production:

• proximity to waterways, including rivers and canals

• the geographic distribution of natural resources, such as coal, iron, and timber

• urbanization, which changed the working and living conditions of populations

• the legal protection of private property

• improved agricultural activity

• access to foreign resources

• capitalism

Agricultural productivity increased in the 1700s with new techniques, such as crop rotation (to not overuse the nutrients in the soil), the seed drill, and using the potato as a major source of caloric nutrition. Coal, iron, and timber provided nations with critical natural resources to utilize for the creation and sustainability of factories. Close proximity to waterways, rivers, and canals provided factories with sources of power, transportation, and places to discharge waste. 

"Iron and Coal" by William Bell Scott, 1855-1860. Image courtesy of Wikimedia

In addition to the environment, other factors for the start of the Industrial Revolution included urbanization, legal protection of private property, and wealth from colonies. As factories emerged, people moved into cities in droves, and this process intensified as more were built factories, leading to even more people moving to cities. Governments created laws to protect property, an Enlightenment natural right, which enabled wealthy individuals to make major investments in factories. Lastly, nations that industrialized benefited from their colonies by extracting wealth and resources from them, resulting in the accumulation of capital and resources. 💰

In Great Britain specifically, the Enclosure Act restricted land ownership in rural areas. Britain also had several colonies. Beyond access to additional areas to extract natural resources, colonies gave this European power new markets to sell goods. In combination with Britain's abundance of coal to power factories, this country led industrialization, 

The Factory System 🏭

A broad tagline for the Industrial Revolution would be the transition in human society from farms to factories. Before the Industrial Revolution, people often grew their own food, lived outside the city, and interacted with each between families throughout the day. With the rise of factories and the factory system, the Industrial Revolution radically changed human society and structure. 

The factory system involved having labor and production take place in a single location. People had to move to factories, which were mostly built in urban areas and close to rivers. This created a concentrated amount of people in a specific area through increased urbanization, centralizing the factory workforce. 

As part of a desire for efficiency, workers concentrated on one specific skill or task in the factory. This specialization of labor, under the idea of the assembly line, saw workers focus on one area in order to maximize production. Workers no longer had the skill to create a finished good as they did as guild craftsmen, enforcing greater reliance on the factory system for production.

In a factory system, the production of goods ultimately became more organized around a central factory or workshop, where raw materials were brought in, and finished goods were produced and then shipped out to customers. Overall, the Industrial Revolution and its subsequent factory systems had a significant impact on the economy and society of the countries that experienced it. It led to the growth of cities and the rise of a new middle class, changing the way people lived and worked.

🎥Watch: WHAP - Industrialization in World History

Key Terms to Review (27)

Access to Foreign Resources: Access to foreign resources refers to the ability of a nation or region to obtain raw materials, goods, and technologies from outside its own borders. This access was crucial during periods of industrialization, as it enabled countries to fuel their economic growth and enhance their manufacturing capabilities by importing essential commodities and innovations not available domestically.

Assembly Line: An assembly line is a manufacturing process in which individual parts of a product are assembled in a sequential manner along a conveyor belt or production line, allowing for mass production and increased efficiency. This method revolutionized the manufacturing industry by enabling faster production rates and lowering costs, significantly impacting the economy and labor practices during industrialization and later in global conflicts.

Britain: Britain refers to the island nation that became a global powerhouse during the Industrial Revolution, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its vast maritime empire and innovative industrial practices positioned it as a leader in economic, political, and cultural spheres, influencing global dynamics and interactions across different regions.

Capitalism: Capitalism is an economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production, where goods and services are produced for profit in a competitive marketplace. This system encourages innovation, consumer choice, and investment, shaping social and economic structures throughout history.

Coal: Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock primarily composed of carbon, used extensively as a fuel source during the Industrial Revolution and beyond. Its importance grew as industrialization began, driving energy production and powering steam engines, which in turn led to massive economic and social changes.

Cotton Gin: The cotton gin is a mechanical device invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 that quickly separates cotton fibers from their seeds. This invention revolutionized the cotton industry by significantly increasing the speed of cotton processing and making it more profitable, which in turn fueled the growth of the plantation system in the American South and contributed to the broader patterns of industrialization and technological advancement during this period.

Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is an agricultural practice that involves alternating the types of crops grown on a particular piece of land over successive seasons. This method helps improve soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and optimize the use of nutrients, leading to more sustainable farming practices. Its significance is particularly noted during periods of early industrialization and transformations in agricultural techniques from 1450 to 1750.

Enclosure Act: The Enclosure Act refers to a series of laws passed in England between the 18th and 19th centuries that consolidated small landholdings into larger farms. This process transformed communal lands into privately owned plots, which were fenced off and cultivated more efficiently. The Enclosure Acts played a significant role in the agricultural revolution, leading to increased productivity and setting the stage for industrialization as displaced rural workers moved to cities in search of employment.

Factory System: The Factory System refers to a method of manufacturing that emerged during the Industrial Revolution, characterized by the centralized production of goods in large-scale factories. This system replaced traditional artisanal and home-based production methods, enabling mass production and significantly increasing efficiency and output through the use of machinery and division of labor.

France: France is a country in Western Europe known for its rich history, cultural influence, and significant role in global events. Throughout history, France has been a major player in political, social, and economic changes, impacting areas such as industrialization, imperialism, world wars, and decolonization.

Geographic Distribution of Natural Resources: Geographic Distribution of Natural Resources refers to how different natural resources, such as coal, iron, oil, and fertile land, are spread across various regions of the world. This distribution is crucial in understanding the economic development and industrialization patterns of countries, as access to these resources often determines a nation's ability to grow industries and expand its economy.

Germany: Germany is a nation-state in Central Europe that became a unified country in 1871, playing a crucial role in various global events and conflicts from the late 19th century onwards. Its industrial growth, nationalistic movements, and political ambitions significantly influenced the course of European history, particularly during major wars and economic developments.

Improved Agricultural Activity: Improved Agricultural Activity refers to advancements in farming techniques, tools, and crop management that increase productivity and efficiency in agriculture. These improvements played a crucial role in supporting population growth and urbanization, particularly during the early phases of industrialization, as they allowed for more food to be produced with less labor, freeing people to work in factories and other urban jobs.

Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution was a transformative period that began in the late 18th century, marked by the transition from agrarian economies to industrialized ones, primarily driven by technological innovations and changes in production methods. This shift had profound impacts on social structures, economies, and the global landscape, influencing responses to industrialization, societal changes, and the expansion of imperialism.

Iron and Coal: Iron and coal are crucial resources that served as the backbone of industrialization, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries. Iron was essential for building machinery, infrastructure, and tools, while coal was the primary fuel source for powering steam engines and factories. Together, these resources fueled the transformation of economies from agrarian to industrial, driving advancements in technology and production processes.

Legal Protection of Private Property: Legal protection of private property refers to the laws and regulations that safeguard individuals' rights to own, use, and transfer property without interference from others or the government. This concept became especially significant during the onset of industrialization, as it laid the groundwork for economic development and investment by ensuring that individuals could confidently engage in business and trade, knowing their assets were protected.

Middle Class: The middle class refers to a social group that emerged prominently during the Industrial Revolution, characterized by their economic stability and influence, typically positioned between the working class and the upper class. This group played a vital role in shaping societal norms, values, and politics during significant historical transitions.

Potato: The potato is a starchy tuber that originated in the Andean region of South America and became a staple food crop worldwide. Its introduction to Europe in the late 16th century sparked agricultural and economic changes, especially during the early stages of industrialization, by providing a reliable food source that contributed to population growth and urbanization.

Power Loom: The power loom is a mechanized loom that revolutionized the textile industry by enabling the mass production of woven fabric through the use of steam or water power. This innovation played a key role in the Industrial Revolution, facilitating the shift from manual labor to machine-based production and significantly increasing efficiency and output in textile manufacturing.

Proximity to Waterways: Proximity to waterways refers to the geographical closeness of a region or settlement to rivers, lakes, and oceans, which significantly impacts transportation, trade, and industrial growth. This factor played a crucial role during the onset of industrialization as it facilitated access to raw materials and markets while also enabling efficient transportation of goods.

Seed Drill: The seed drill is an agricultural invention that allows for the efficient planting of seeds in well-spaced rows at the correct depth. This technology was crucial during the Agricultural Revolution, significantly enhancing crop yields and promoting the shift towards larger-scale farming, which laid the groundwork for the Industrial Revolution.

Specialization of Labor: Specialization of labor refers to the process where individuals or groups focus on specific tasks or roles in production, leading to increased efficiency and productivity. This concept was crucial during the onset of industrialization, as it allowed for greater output and improved quality of goods, ultimately transforming economies and societies.

Steam Engine: The steam engine is a heat engine that converts the thermal energy from steam into mechanical work, playing a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution. It powered factories, trains, and ships, significantly transforming transportation and industry while facilitating a massive shift from agrarian economies to industrialized societies.

Steam Power: Steam power refers to the energy generated by steam, typically used to drive engines and machinery. This innovation played a crucial role in transforming industries, transportation, and economies during the Industrial Revolution, leading to widespread changes in production methods, global trade, and environmental impacts.

Textile Industry: The textile industry involves the production of fabrics and cloth, primarily through the processes of spinning, weaving, and finishing. This industry was a crucial catalyst for industrialization, significantly influencing economic growth and social change during the 18th and 19th centuries.

United States: The United States is a federal republic established in 1776, formed from thirteen British colonies in North America. It has been a significant player in global politics, economics, and culture, influencing various movements related to nationalism, industrialization, and international conflicts throughout its history.

Urbanization: Urbanization refers to the process by which an increasing percentage of a population comes to live in urban areas, often as a result of industrialization and economic development. This shift has profound effects on society, culture, and the economy, altering traditional lifestyles and prompting new social dynamics.