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.