INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Origins

Why Britain?

• Cause #1–The benefits of empire• Large navy

• Post – 1698 largest and most efficient trader of slaves. Also main trader of wool and woolen cloth• By 1775 possessed more land and people than

two main European rivals French and Dutch

• Colonies in the Americas, Africa, Australia, and Asia – raw materials and labor resources– Half of the world’s sea trade carried by Britain

Cause #2 – France Takes a Beating

• Napoleonic Wars take a huge toll on Britain’s top competition

Cause #3 – Favorable Natural Conditions

• Damp climate– Made it easy to work cotton into cloth

• Coal– Heating and energy resource

• Iron ore• Waterways and natural harbors– Cheaper and effective routes of trade

Cause #4 – Agricultural Revolution1700-1800

• Jethro Tull – First modern farmer• Invented the seed drill• Seeds that are evenly spread Grow better than when theyAre simply scattered

Seed Drill – Then and Now

Agricultural Revolution Continued

• Larger farms• Increase in production• More efficient farming– leads to more migration away from the

countryside as enclosures become more common– Less money spent on farming means more money

spent on industrial and commercial development

Agricultural Revolution Results In:

• More efficient food production• Cheaper food• More disposable income – less $ spent on food• Lower death rates and boost in population –

healthier and more constant diets help battle diseases, also increased demand for goods

• Less workers needed in rural areas – one reason for higher migration to urban centers in the future

Cause #5 – Political Stability

• Constitutional Monarchy – Glorious Revolution 1688-1689– Britain has a King, House of Lords, and House of Commons where

all three have a voice in government– Other countries only have a king or queen who rules by “Divine

Right” or “God’s Right”• Britain has a more stable government that has more

balance of power– House of Commons represented families with money and land– Government did what landowners and merchants wanted

because they have a say in Parliament• A stable government encourages wealthy people to invest

their money in industry

Cause #6 – More Free Trade

• No internal tariffs– Traders do not pay a toll to use canals or roadways– Cheaper to transport goods and resources

Cause #7 – Central banking

• Central bank created in 1694– A bank system used by the whole country– Everyone uses the same currency– Using the same currency makes it easier to invest

money and to get loans

Key Technological Advancements - #1 Inventions

• Work that Cotton!– 1764 James Hargreaves invents the Spinning Jenny• Multi-spool spinning wool allowing one person to work

up to 8 spools of yarn at once

Work that Cotton cont.• 1768 Richard Arkwright invented the water

frame– Used water to power a spinning frame, thereby

decreasing the number of human operators

Work that Cotton - final• 1779 Samuel Crompton invents the Spinning

Mule– Improvement on the water frame because it

allowed more than one spool of yarn to be worked at once

Technological Advancement #2 – Steam Power

• 1698 invention of the steam engine• 1765 improvement of the steam engine• 1820’s railroads and George Stephenson’s

Rocket

Key Technological Advancement - #2 Factory System

• 1770’s Arkwright develops the factory system– All under one roof– Central source of power– Division of labor– All this equals MORE EFFICIENT