The Industrial Revolution
Revolution vs. Evolution -Drastic Change -French and American Revolutions -Takes a few years -Slow and subtle change - Evolution of the world takes eons
What inventions are around today that were not around 30 years ago?
What things didn’t exist 100 years ago?
What was it? Rapid industrial growth in the mid 1700’s in England Industrialism: the process in which manufacturing based on machine power becomes widespread in an area Spreads to other countries as well, even the U.S.
What was it? Many people move to cities – Urbanization: a growth in the proportion of people living in cities Changes the nature of work for most people – Move to factories instead of farms WHY!?
Importance of the Agricultural Revolution 1.More effective ways of producing food 2.Increased food production 3.Improved health and diet for people 4.Population explosion 5.Greater demand for goods 6.More factories needed to meet demands
Importance of the Agricultural Revolution Enclosure movement: consolidate the number of farms in Britain – No more common land; smaller farms were condensed into larger farms – Smaller farmers lose their land to larger farmers Need to find new work go to cities!
Importance of the Agricultural Revolution Fewer farmers needed Factories need more workers Industrial Revolution
Pros of the Revolution! Technological growth Medical growth New wealth Ushered in a “modern era”
Evils of the Revolution! Women and children worked hour days under life threatening conditions Wages were low in factories Slums developed Crimes increased
Why England? Plentiful labor (both skilled and unskilled) Wealthy investors Good harbors Abundant natural resources Favorable climate Large domestic and colonial markets
New terms from the Revolution Corporation- form of business in which stock in the business can be bought or sold; investors get a share of the profits in exchange
New terms from the Revolution Laissez faire economics governments should stay out of business and not control the economy – Adam Smith