The Transport Revolution

The Transport RevolutionThe Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions lead to a

large increase in the movement of goods and people. The existing transport system was unable to manage this increase and as a result, new ways of carrying people and goods was invented. This has been called the Transport Revolution.

Money was invested in improving transport links such as canals, to improve water transport, and roads, which were built on firm foundations and had pavements for people to walk on.

However, travel was still slow and expensive. Steam power seemed to be the answer and Steam ships began to replace Sailing ships.

RailwaysGeorge Stephenson invented a cheap steam

powered train, called “the Rocket”, that ran on iron rails and soon railways were being built throughout the country. This type of transport was fast, efficient and easy to fuel.

Raw materials could now be transported cheaply and quickly to and from factories. This meant that prices dropped quickly and more people could buy textiles and other goods.

At the same time, the demand for coal, which was used to power the trains, increased and also motivated industry?

Impact of the Railroads Railroads encouraged industrial growth by giving manufacturers a cheap way to transport material and finished products. Railroad boom created hundreds of thousands of new jobs for both railroad workers and miners. The railroads boosted England’s agricultural and fishing industries, which could transport their products to distant cities. By making travel easier, railroads encouraged people to take distant city jobs.

The first railway in Spain, from Barcelona to Mataró, was inaugurated 28 October 1848

Railways 1830 – Stephenson’s “Rocket”

train traveled the 40 miles between Liverpool and Manchester in 1 ½ hours

1830-1870 – railroad tracks went from 49 miles to over 15,000 miles

EXPANSION OF THE RAILWAY SYTEM IN EUROPE

Railways in Europe by 1850

Railways in Europe by 1880

Journey times compared

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Not everyone felt that trains had a positive effect on lifestyleWhat do you

think the artist wants to say with this cartoon?

QuestionsThe movement of what, lead to the invention of

new ways of transport?

Although canals and roads were improved, what invention caused the biggest changes?

Sea transport became faster thanks to what?

What did George Stephenson invent?

What was the main effect of the Transport Revolution?