Rotated crops to prevent a field from losing all of its important minerals
Population Growth
Greater food supply led to a population boom
Poor famers moved into cities
Human numbers through the ages
The Energy Revolution
From the beginning of history, the physical labor of humans and animals provided energy for work
This all changed when we began to harness the power of water and coal
In 1769 James Watt developed the steam engine powered by coal
This invention would run the machines of the Industrial Revolution
James Watt and his steam engine design
Britain starts the Industrial Revolution
Britain leads the way
Industrialization began in Britain, and by the 1800s would spread to the United States, Japan, Germany, and other countries
Exploration and colonization
Exploration and colonization
Colonies around the world provided raw materials
Colonies also became new markets for finished goods
Geography
As an island, Britain had many natural harbors and rivers that could be used for trade, transportation, and a power source for factories.
Britain also had an abundance of coal and iron.
Political stability
Political stability
Britain had a strong, stable government that supported businessmen. The powerful British navy also protected overseas trade.
Growth of private investment
Because of their huge overseas empire the British had a very strong economy. Wealthy middle-class Englishmen invested their money in mines, railroads, inventions, and factories.
Great Britian had all three factors of production:
Land
Natural resources like coal, rivers, harbors, etc.
Labor
A growing population that made a willing workforce
Capitol
Funds for investment from wealthy citizens
Advances of the Industrial Revolution
Textiles
Before the Industrial Revolution, spinners and weavers made clothing at home by hand. Cotton was spun into thread, and then woven into cloth. Later the cloth was dyed by an artisan.
This was known as the cottage industry, or domestic system, which was very slow.
Textiles: Inventions
The old ways of making cloth were completely transformed with industrialization
In the early 1800s George Stephenson developed steam-powered locomotives to pull carts along rails. Railroads increased trade and industry, and connected Britain from one end to the other
Transportation
In 1807 Robert Fulton, an American, used Watt’s steam engine to power a boat up the Hudson River.
Effects of the Industrial Revolution
Urbanization
During the Industrial Revolution, people moved from villages and towns into cities
Urbanization: movement of people to cities
Garbage filled overcrowded city streets and disease spread
“It was a town of red brick, or brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but, as matters stood, it was a town of unnatural red and black, like the painted face of a savage. It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves forever and ever, and never got uncoiled. It had a black canal, and a river ran purple with ill-smelling dye.”
“It was a town of red brick, or brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but, as matters stood, it was a town of unnatural red and black, like the painted face of a savage. It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves forever and ever, and never got uncoiled. It had a black canal, and a river ran purple with ill-smelling dye.”
Charles Dickens, Hard Times
Poor Working Conditions
Factory conditions were very harsh. Men, women, and even children worked 12 to 16 hours a day
Work was monotonous and boring, and could also be dangerous and unhealthy
Women were hired because they could be paid less than men
Children were hired by textile mills and mines because of their size
Found jobs because more people could afford to hire them
Some or no improvement to status
New ideas about economics
The problems caused by the Industrial Revolution caused many to look for solutions. While some believed the market would eventually fix the problems, others believed there should be a change in government.
Laissez-faire Economics
The idea that government should not interfere with business- “free to do”
