AB_Chapter_22_The_Industrial_Revolution

Industrial Revolution Overview

• Time Period: 1750-1900

• Significance: Mechanization of production and associated social changes.

• Origin: Began in Britain during the 18th century, spreading to northwest Europe, North America, Japan, and Russia throughout the 19th century.

• Importance of Understanding: A thorough grasp of industrialization requires comprehension of its causes and the nature of life prior to it.

Preindustrial Societies

• Living Conditions (Early 18th Century Britain):

  • Majority lived in rural areas, self-sufficient in food and clothing production.

  • Wool and flax were traditional domestic industries.

• Impact of Colonial Trade:

  • East India Company’s trade led to high demand for Indian cotton.

  • Preparation for competition resulted in the establishment of the British cotton cloth industry featuring a cottage industry system, where women would spin cotton at home.

• Cottage Industry Challenges:

  • Cottage industries provided limited pay and were, overall, inefficient compared to emerging factory systems.

Causes of Industrialization

• Primary Causes:

  • Development of technology.

  • Population growth and resource accessibility.

• Complex Causation:

  • Technological development and industrialization are interrelated; advancement in one spurred development in the other.

Growth of Technology

• Key Innovations:

  • Spinning Jenny (1760s, James Hargreaves): Allowed multiple threads to be spun simultaneously.

  • Water Frame (1769, Richard Arkwright): Utilized waterpower, leading to the rise of factories.

  • Interchangeable Parts (1798, Eli Whitney): Revolutionized manufacturing by allowing standardized components, leading to division of labor.

  • Steam Engine (1765, James Watt): Revolutionized factory machinery, railroads, and steamships, enhancing transport capabilities.

Population Growth

• Agricultural Revolution:

  • Techniques such as crop rotation and seed drills increased food production, contributing to population growth.

  • Introduction of the potato added nutritional value to diets.

• Demographics:

  • Rising populations due to improved food supply and medical care led to increased factory workforce.

Urbanization

• Migration Trends:

  • Enclosure movement forced rural dwellers to seek work in urban settings due to loss of land and resources.

• Britain’s Geographical Advantages:

  • Excellent location for importing raw materials and exporting finished goods, rich coal deposits essential for powering factories.

  • Strong naval and commercial fleet supported trade.

Spread of Industrialization

• Countries Following Britain: Belgium, France, and Germany, adapting their own resources for industrialization.

• France:

  • Delayed industrialization due to wars and scattered urban areas.

• Germany:

  • Political fragmentation delayed industrialization; rapid advancement post-unification in 1871.

• United States:

  • Late 19th-century growth with railroads and abundant natural resources. Significant immigrant workforce boosted industrialization.

A Second Industrial Revolution

• Time Frame: Late 19th and early 20th centuries.

• Technological Advances:

  • Innovations in steel, chemicals, and electronics; development of internal combustion engines and electrical power propelled further growth.

Japan and Russia’s Industrialization

• Japan:

  • Industrialization initiated under Meiji period to counter Western influence, leading to similar labor issues faced by women in factories as seen in Britain.

• Russia:

  • Focused on railway construction, becoming a key steel producer by 1900 while remaining largely agricultural until the communist revolution.

Effects of the Industrial Revolution

• Social Transformation:

  • Shift from rural to urban living leading to urbanized society by the early 1900s.

  • Creation of a new class hierarchy, affecting gender roles and family structures.

• Impact on Families:

  • Shift in work patterns; families displaced from home work to factories with dehumanizing conditions.

  • Long work hours under hazardous conditions led to frequent injuries and exhaustion.