Industrial Revolution

Main Idea: Industrial Revolution started in England and soon spread elsewhere. In Britain, changes in agriculture lay the foundations for the Industrial Revolution. Other factors—including ample resources, an expanding economy, and political stability—provide the conditions for the rapid growth of industry.

 

I.                 Beginning

A.   Background

1.    Revolution: rapid, drastic change

2.    Agricultural Revolution: improved farming methods boost crop yields and lead to enclosed lands

a      Displaced workers—Small farmers lose land, move to city, become urban workers

b      Jethro Tull—seed drill

c       Crop Rotation

3.    Why Britain? Possess ideal conditions for the growth of industry

a      Large population of workers

b      Extensive natural resources

i          water power & coal to fuel new machines

ii       iron ore to construct machines, tools, and buildings

iii     rivers for inland transportation

iv     harbors for merchant ships; trading purposes

c       Expanding economy:

i          businesspeople invested in manufacture of new inventions

ii       highly developed banking system (bank loans)

iii                 growing overseas trade, economic prosperity, climate of progress contributed to increased demand for goods

iv     factors of production: Land, labor, & capital (wealth)

d      Political stability

B.   Inventions

1.    Revolutionize industry during 1700s & 1800s

2.    Textile Industry: first; machines produce cotton cloth; factories

3.    Transportation: steam engine and the construction of canals, roads, and railroads