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Studied by 35 people
History Industrialization & Agricultural Revolution Minor Review
Basic Review:
Overview:
The industrial revolution began in England in the mid 1700s and marked a significant increase in machine made goods.
The transition from hand made textiles to machine production facilitated widespread industrialization.
Causes of the Industrial Revolution:
Agricultural Revolution:
Wealthy landowners bought land from village farms and enclosed it, which led to larger farms.
Innovations in farming (eg. crop rotation and the seed drill invented by Jethro Tull) improved agricultural flexibility.
Population Growth:
The Industrial Revolution increased food supply, which led to improved living conditions and a population boom in England.
Many displaced farmers migrated to cities, which provided labor for factories.
Natural Resources:
England had an abundance of natural resources essential for industrialization:
Water power and coal for fuel.
Iron ore for constructing machines.
Rivers for transporting goods.
Harbors for shipping (trade —→ capital —→ boom in economy)
Economic Factors:
The expanding economy thanks to investments in manufacturing supported industrial growth.
This developed banking systems and laws supportive of business ventures.
Key Concepts:
The factors of production are land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship, which were essential for producing goods and thriving.
Individuals such as Mathew Boulton who organized and managed businesses took risks to drive industrial innovation.
Innovations in the textile industry:
Flying Shuttle (1733): Invented by John Kay; allowed weavers to work faster.
Spinning Jenny (1764): Invented by James Hargreaves; increased thread production.
Water Frame (1769): Invented by Richard Arkwright; used water power for spinning.
Power Loom (1787): Invented by Edmund Cartwright; sped up the weaving process.
Cotton Gin (1793): Invented by Eli Whitney; revolutionized cotton cleaning in America, leading to massive increases in cotton production.
Transportation Improvements:
Advances in transportation were vital for industrial expansion:
Steam Engine: James Watt improved steam engine efficiency, enabling steam-powered machines and locomotives.
Railroads:
1804: Richard Trevithick’s steam locomotive transported iron.
George Stephenson’s locomotive "Rocket" (1829) achieved record speeds, revolutionizing transport.
Roads: John McAdam improved road surfaces, leading to better transport for goods.
Canals facilitated cheaper transportation for raw materials and finished goods.
Effects of the Industrial Revolution
Economic Growth: Industrialization spurred new job creation and expanded markets.
Social Changes:
Urbanization: More people moved to cities for factory jobs, transforming societal structure and living conditions.
Changes in labor conditions and the rise of factory work often led to unsafe working environments.
Critical Thinking Questions:
What factors contributed to the rapid industrialization in Britain?
How did the rise in population contribute to the demand for industrial goods?
Evaluate the significance of the Steam Engine in the context of the Industrial Revolution.
Key Terms (Definitions on the Exam):
Agricultural Revolution: A period of significant agricultural development that increased food production, leading to population growth and a subsequent surge in demand for industrial goods.
Enclosure Movement: A process in England during the 18th century where common land was privatized, leading to increased agricultural efficiency, but also resulting in the displacement of small farmers and a migration to urban areas in search of work.
Seed Drill: An invention by Jethro Tull in the early 18th century that allowed for more efficient planting of seeds in rows at specific depths, significantly improving crop yields and contributing to the Agricultural Revolution.
Crop Rotation: A farming practice that involves rotating different crops in and out of fields over time, which enhances soil fertility and helps to prevent pest and disease cycles, thus playing a crucial role in sustaining agricultural productivity.
Selective Breeding: A technique developed during the Agricultural Revolution where farmers selectively bred plants and animals for desired traits, leading to improved crop varieties and livestock quality, ultimately boosting food production and supporting population growth.
Industrialization: The transition from agrarian societies to industrial economies, marked by the growth of factories and mass production, leading to significant social, economic, and environmental changes.
Entrepreneur: An individual who organizes and operates a business, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit, thereby driving innovation and contributing to the economic growth that characterized the Industrial Revolution.
Factors of Production: The essential resources used to produce goods and services, including land, labor, capital, and entrepreneurship, which play a crucial role in fueling both industrial growth and agricultural advancements.
Factories: Places where goods are manufactured on a large scale, utilizing machinery and a workforce, which became central to the Industrial Revolution by increasing production efficiency and reducing the cost of goods.
Textile Industry: A significant sector during the Industrial Revolution, the textile industry transformed the production of clothing and fabrics through mechanization and mass production, ultimately leading to an increase in availability and a decrease in prices.
Spinning Jenny: An important invention in the textile industry, the Spinning Jenny allowed one worker to operate multiple spools of thread simultaneously, significantly increasing yarn production and lowering labor costs.
Flying Shuttle: A pivotal invention in the weaving process, the Flying Shuttle enabled a single weaver to operate a loom more efficiently by allowing for wider fabric production and faster weaving speeds, which played a crucial role in boosting the productivity of the textile industry.
Steam Engine: An essential innovation for various industries, the Steam Engine provided a new source of power that was more efficient and versatile than prior methods, facilitating the growth of factories and the expansion of transportation networks, such as railways and steamships.
George Stephenson’s Rocket: A groundbreaking locomotive designed by George Stephenson, it was the first full-scale working railway steam locomotive and represents a key milestone in the development of railway transport, accelerating the Industrial Revolution by enabling faster movement of goods and people.
Urbanization: The rapid growth of cities during the Industrial Revolution, driven by the migration of populations from rural areas seeking jobs in factories, led to significant demographic changes, increased demand for housing, and the expansion of urban infrastructure, ultimately reshaping social structures and lifestyles.
Mary Barton: A novel by Elizabeth Gaskell that vividly depicts the struggles of the working class during the Industrial Revolution, illustrating the harsh realities of life for factory workers and the social injustices they faced.
Child Labour: A pervasive issue during the Industrial Revolution, where children were employed in factories and mines under appalling conditions, often enduring long hours with little pay, which sparked public outrage and eventually led to reforms in labor laws.
Factory Act of 1819: A significant piece of legislation in the UK that limited the working hours of children to a maximum of 12 hours per day and established certain age restrictions for child labor, marking one of the early attempts to regulate working conditions in factories.
Middle Class: The social class that emerged during the Industrial Revolution, characterized by increased wealth and influence, often linked to industrial entrepreneurs and professionals who benefited from economic growth and sought to improve their living conditions.
Working Class: The social class primarily composed of laborers who worked in factories and on farms, often facing harsh working conditions and earning low wages, which led to significant movements advocating for workers' rights and better living standards.
Cholera: A contagious disease that became widespread in urban areas during the Industrial Revolution, primarily due to poor sanitation and overcrowding, resulting in numerous outbreaks that highlighted the need for public health reforms.
Chamber Pot: A sanitation device commonly used in homes before the advent of indoor plumbing, which contributed to unsanitary living conditions, especially in densely populated urban areas, thereby exacerbating health issues during the Industrial Revolution.
Questions and Examples on the Minor:
You need to be able to write 2-4 sentences about each concept and will need to use specific historical details in your answer. You may not reuse the same historical detail more than twice.
1) Type of Revolution: Political or non Political:
Answer: Political revolutions often involve a change in government or leadership, as seen during the American Revolution where the colonists sought independence from British rule. Non-political revolutions, on the other hand, include transformations such as the Industrial Revolution, which fundamentally altered economic systems and social structures without necessarily changing the governing body.
2) Britain as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution (Why Britain?)
Answer: Britain's unique combination of favorable geographic conditions, abundant natural resources, such as coal and iron, and a growing population provided the necessary infrastructure for industrial growth. Additionally, its colonial empire facilitated access to raw materials and markets for manufactured goods, thus creating a robust economic environment conducive to innovation and investment.
3) Growth of technology with specific examples of innovations/inventions + Changes in transportation
Answer: The Industrial Revolution saw significant technological advancements, including the spinning jenny, invented by James Hargreaves, which dramatically increased yarn production, and the power loom, developed by Edmund Cartwright, revolutionizing the textile industry. Changes in transportation were equally transformative, with the introduction of the steam locomotive by George Stephenson, enabling faster movement of goods and people across the country, and the development of canals that improved trade efficiency by linking manufacturers with markets.
4) Issues with working conditions & Issues with living conditions:
Answer: The rapid industrialization led to severe challenges in working conditions, characterized by long hours, low wages, and unsafe environments in factories, particularly for women and children who made up a significant portion of the workforce. Additionally, living conditions in urban areas deteriorated due to overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and lack of access to clean water, as rural populations migrated to cities in search of job opportunities.
5) Negative short term effects of Industrial Revolution
Answer: Among the negative short-term effects of the Industrial Revolution were increased pollution, as factories emitted large amounts of smoke and waste into the air and waterways, contributing to public health crises. Furthermore, the sudden influx of workers into urban areas led to a strain on housing and public services, often resulting in elevated crime rates and social unrest as the traditional community structures began to dissolve.
6) Positive long term effects of Industrial Revolution
Answer: Among the positive long-term effects of the Industrial Revolution were significant advancements in technology and efficiency, which boosted productivity and economic growth. This era also laid the foundation for modern infrastructure, including transportation networks and communication systems, ultimately enhancing global trade and connectivity. Furthermore, it spurred social reforms advocating for workers' rights and improved living standards, contributing to the rise of a middle class.
7) Long term/modern day impacts of Industrial Revolution
Answer: The long-term and modern-day impacts of the Industrial Revolution include the establishment of globalization, where goods, services, and ideas circulate across borders with unprecedented ease. It also led to urbanization, as populations moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment, thus altering demographic patterns and social structures. Additionally, the Industrial Revolution is credited with the development of consumer culture, as mass production made a wide array of products accessible to the general public, influencing lifestyles and consumption habits today.