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The_Industrial_Revolution Flashcards

The Industrial Revolution Overview

  • Significant change in production and society

  • Shifted from agrarian economies to industrialized communities

Pre-Industrial Societies

  • Agriculture dominated, with some engagement in craft manufacturing

  • Cottage industries supported subsistence farming

    • Craftsmen included blacksmiths, bakers, weavers, etc.

  • Social hierarchy prevalent, with most employed in the primary sector (80%)

  • Distinct roles for men and women, with agriculture forming family units.

Changes During the Industrial Revolution

  • Transition:

    • Before: Rural communities, manual labor, low possessions, few goods purchased

    • After: Urbanization, increased manufacturing jobs (40-60%), mechanized production

  • Struggles notably in slums: overcrowding, poverty, and poor living conditions.

Economic Transformation

  • Positive feedback loop in production:

    • Decreased farming needs led to urban migration

    • Factories arose, decreasing production costs and increasing product demand

  • Growth in new infrastructure like canals and railroads boosted economic efficiency.

Technological Innovations

  • Key inventions: Spinning Jenny, Flying Shuttle, and Steam Engine

    • Enabled mass production and improved efficiency in textile industries

  • Factories located near water sources to utilize steam power and facilitate transport.

Geographic Dynamics

  • The Midlands of England known as "The Black Country" - coal and iron ore sources

  • Industrial cities emerged near these resources, leading to urban growth.

Social Changes

  • Rise of the working class (80% of urban population) with harsh conditions

    • Long work hours, dangerous environments, and child labor were common

  • Emergence of a middle class, leading to significant social stratification.

Population Dynamics

  • Rapid population growth due to agricultural improvements and urban migration

  • Demographic Transition Model illustrates population changes through industrialization.

Economic Sectors Overview

  1. Primary Sector: Extraction and harvesting of natural resources

  2. Secondary Sector: Manufacturing from raw materials

  3. Tertiary Sector: Services in the economy

  4. Quaternary Sector: Research and development

  5. Quinary Sector: High-level decision-makers in various fields.

Summary

  • The Industrial Revolution brought profound transformations in economy, society, and urban living.

  • Initially worsening conditions led to a gradual improvement in quality of life and standard of living.