Industrial Revolution

By Trudy Proctor

Prior to the Industrial Revolution

Most people lived in rural areas and farmed for a living.

There was an Agricultural Revolution enclosure movement – Land owners could

fence off common lands. crop rotation – Changing what crops are

grown on a field kept the land fertile. seed drill – This invention allowed farmers to

plant in rows, rather than scatter seed. breeding of livestock – Enabled farmers to

have stronger horses, and more meat from cattle and sheep. For instance…

Improved Livestock

Robert Bakewell began selective breeding of animals. By allowing only the best animals to breed, farmers could increase the size of animals and improve the taste of the meat.

In 1700 the average weight of a steer was 370 pounds. By 1786, it was 840 pounds.

The average weight of a sheep rose from 28 pounds to 100 pounds.

What effect did this have on the population?

Factors of Production

Land – The land and also the natural resources found in the land.

Labor – The workforce or people willing to work.

Capital – The money required to start an industry.

Enterprise – The ability to combine the other three factors and create a business or service.

Great Britain Had It All

Land – Great Britain had rich deposits of coal and iron and lots of rivers.

Labor – The enclosure movement forced many off the land and into cities. Food production was improved which helped people live longer, healthier lives.

Capital – Landowners had more capital, or money, to invest.

Enterprise – Great Britain had markets all over the world where products could be sold and raw materials bought.

Domestic System

Also known as “cottage industry” Merchants purchased large supplies of wool. The merchants went from cottage to cottage,

dropping off wool to be spun and woven into cloth.

Using hand powered spinning wheels and looms, the workers would make cloth in their homes.

The merchant would return for the cloth and drop off more wool.

The merchants would sell their cloth at market and buy more wool to distribute to the homes.

Birth of the Factory System

Factory system brought workers and machines together.

Inventors created machines that used water power. The force of the water moved a paddle

wheel that powered the machine. Fast moving streams were needed. Factories were built beside the streams.

Coal-powered machines made it possible to build factories anywhere. Whole towns grew up around the factories. Great Britain was the first country to become

urbanized.

Spread of Industrialism

In the mid-1800s Great Britain was known as “the workshop of the world” because it produced one-half of the world’s supply of coal and manufactured goods.

In spite of Great Britain’s efforts to keep their industrial secrets and enjoy a monopoly, industrialism spread.

Factories and railroads were built in other parts of the world.

United States

Samuel Slater created a spinning factory in Rhode Island. Francis Cabot Lowell opens a textile mill in Massachusetts.

Factory system spreads through the New England states.

As the North industrializes, the South relies on the sale of cotton to mills in New England and Great Britain.

Germany

In the early 1800s, Germany builds its first railroad.

Coal, iron, and textile industries emerge in the mid-1800s.

By 1870, Germany, Great Britain, and the United States are the three most industrialized nations in the world.

Japan

Commodore Matthew Perry introduces Japan to the power of industry.

In the late 1800s, leaders push Japan to industrialize.

Japan builds its first railroad in 1872.

Agricultural production increases 228 percent in just 27 years!

By 1914, Japan is an industrial power.

Impact of Industrialism

Growth of cities Factories polluted the cities. Living conditions were bad.

Rise of Industrial Capitalism New middle class was created. Based on free enterprise.

Business organization Partnerships and corporations were formed. Stock market is formed.

Impact, Continued

Rise of an Industrial Working Class People worked for wages. People worked even 16 hours a day, 6 days

a week. Conditions were dirty and dangerous.

Rise of Trade Unions Workers banded together to improve wages,

benefits, working conditions, and worker rights.

Unions would use strikes to get what they wanted.

Some worker-protection laws were passed.

Impact, Continued

Development of Socialism There was a big difference between how the

workers lived and how the factory owners lived.

This gave rise to the idea of socialism.

Socialists believe that the government should own all means of production.

This philosophy is in direct opposition to capitalism and free enterprise.