Euro Unit 6 notes

Unit 6: Industrialization and Its Effects

6.1 Contextualizing Industrialization and Its Origins and Effects

Origins of the Industrial Revolution

• Natural Resources of Britain:

  • Britain's natural resources, such as coal and iron, facilitated industrial development.

  • Availability of waterways provided energy sources important for industries.

  • Enhanced organization of labor led to increased production efficiency.

• Social and Economic Impact:

  • By the mid-19th century, Britain became the leading industrial power globally.

  • Social classes became more defined with the rise of factories.

  • Factory jobs required workers, often from the lower classes, to adhere to strict schedules and endure long working hours.

  • Unsafe working conditions were prevalent in factories, leading to public health concerns.

  • Urbanization increased as factories attracted workers to cities, leading to population growth.

• Agricultural Changes:

  • Some farms transitioned from subsistence agriculture to commercial farming due to improved transportation.

  • Changes in labor also transformed family life, as many family members took factory jobs.

• Middle-Class Expansion:

  • The growing middle class experienced increased wealth, leading to:

    • Larger homes

    • Access to education

    • Improved healthcare

    • More secure food supplies

    • Increase in leisure time through public amenities like libraries and parks leading to longer life spans.

• Government Response to Industrialization:

  • Governments had to adapt to changing social structures; resistance from conservatives grew against the emergence of working-class power.

6.2 The Spread of Industry Throughout Europe

Stages of Industrial Revolution

• First Stage:

  • Began in the textile industry in Britain during the mid-18th century.

  • Gradually spread to other European nations.

• Britain's Industrial Dominance:

  • Advantages for Britain included coal and iron resources, steam power development, and extensive railroad networks that facilitated transportation.

  • Private ownership and investment in industry became characteristic features of capitalism in Britain.

6.3 Second Wave Industrialization and Its Effects

Key Innovations

• Technological Advancements (1870-1914):

  • The rise in manufacturing, transportation, and trade resulted from innovations such as:

    • Electricity enabling rich industrial productivity.

    • Chemical engineering producing rubber and plastics.

    • The internal combustion engine, leading to gas, diesel, and oil-powered vehicles.

6.4 Social Effects of Industrialization

New Social Classes

• The working class, or proletariat, emerged as factory and mining jobs flourished.

• Tenements became common housing for multiple families, leading to overcrowded living conditions.

• The middle class expanded and gained influence, leading to greater access to consumer goods and capitalist wealth accumulation.

6.5 The Concert of Europe and European Conservatism

Conservative Movement

• Conservatism aimed to maintain the traditional authority of monarchy and religion against liberal ideologies arising from revolutions and industrialization.

• Key leaders included Edmund Burke, Joseph de Maistre, and Metternich, who sought to stabilize and promote conservative governance across Europe.

6.6 Reactions and Revolutions

Significant Revolutions

• The early 19th century saw various revolutions challenging the conservative status quo, including the Greek Independence Movement and revolutions in France and Poland.

• Revolutions of 1848 in Europe were motivated by workers seeking rights and self-determination but often resulted in temporary setbacks for liberal reforms.

6.7 Ideologies of Change and Reform Movements

Liberalism and Socialism

• Liberalism advocated for individual rights and limited government.

• Socialism emerged as a response to industrial capitalism, pushing for public ownership of production means and focus on societal good.

• Prominent figures included Karl Marx, who argued for class consciousness and the overthrow of the bourgeoisie.

6.8 19th Century Social Reform

Growth of Political Movements

• As education levels rose, the working class demanded political representation leading to the emergence of mass political parties.

• Women began to push for suffrage and social reforms to improve their rights in society, driven by movements like the Pankhurst family’s activism for voting rights.

6.9 Institutional Responses and Reforms

Government Interventions

• Governments shifted from laissez-faire to interventionist policies in response to industrialization issues, including policing, prison reform, and labor laws designed to protect workers.

• The establishment of a public sector aimed to ensure citizens' health and wellbeing was a key focus of reform efforts during this era.