CAUSES OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The Industrial Revolution

What is the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was a period from 1750 to 1850 where changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times.

It marks a major turning point in history; almost every aspect of daily life was influenced in some way

The First Industrial Revolution

1. Gradual Change from Human or Animal powered devices to machines (steam powered)

2. Manufacturing of interchangeable parts - allowed greater division of Labour- allowed cheaper and more reliable products- allowed large factories to operate - eliminated the need for “craftsmen” in manufacturing- allowed unskilled labourer to produce complex products

The Second Industrial Revolution

More transportation based

Started in the 1850sSteam Engines to

power ships and trains

Introduction to the internal combustion (gasoline) engine

The Causes of the Industrial Revolution

The Enclosure Movement and the Agricultural Revolution - more efficient and less labour intensive food production- forces people into “Cottage Industries” (weaving) and eventually into cities and factories

British Colonial Dominance- provided vast amounts of money to England- money used to invest in new innovations and manufacturing techniques

The Napoleonic Wars- Britain was the only country not ravaged by war- Britain also possessed a large fleet of ships

Major Inventions: Textiles

The Spinning Jenny:

Major Inventions: Steam Engine

Major Inventions: Chemicals

Major Development in the Understanding of Chemistry

Some examples:Sodium Carbonate (glass making and paper

industries)Cement

Major Inventions: Machine Tools

Tools for cutting, drilling, joining, bending and shaping metal – powered by steam and later electricity

E.g. The Lathe

Major Innovations: Gas Lighting

The Social Effects of the Industrial Revolution

1. The Triumph of the Middle Class- power of landowners and nobility is completely destroyed

2. The Creation of Cities- the creation of factories allowed people to flock to urban areas

3. Child Labour- since physical strength and experience were no longer really needed the work of children was preferred- they could be paid much less and their productivity was similar- massive abuse and exploitation of children

The Social Effects of the Industrial Revolution

Housing- the average person lived in poverty, filth and squalor- shared toilets and open sewers- Tuberculosis, Cholera, and Typhoid and various lung disease was rampant

Massive Population increases- Britain's population quadrupled in the 19th Century

Poorer standard of Living- The average British man would make 20% less than what would be required to feed and house the average family

Other Effects of the Industrial Revolution

Economic: - Massive increases in wealth - great divide between Europe and the rest of the world (industrialized vs. non-industrialized countries)

Military:- The 19th century started with muskets and ended with steel battleships and machine guns- Gave Europe a incredible military advantage over the rest of the planet