Steam Engines and Coal

Coal The use of coal to power steam engines was one of the hallmarks of the industrial rev Involved a transition from wood burning to coal burning Coal provided steam power used in many industries By 1850, England produced 2/3 of world’s coal

Steam Engine James Watt (1769) invented and patented the first efficient steam engine Most fundamental advance in technology Replaced water power in cotton spinning mills Radical transformation occurred in manufacturing and transportation

Iron Industry Transformed by steam power Boosted iron production and gave rise to heavy industry Henry Cort (1780’s) developed the puddling furnace, which refined pig iron By 1850, England produced more than half of world’s iron

Transportation Revolution

Revolution Made possible by steam power Allowed for distribution of finished products as well as delivery of raw materials

Canals Duke of Bridgewater Canals important in completing basic needs of related interdependent industries: railroad, steel, coal industries

Roads Construction of hard-surfaced roads pioneered by John McAdam Significantly improved land travel

Steam Boat Robert Fulton, 1807 Clermont traveled the Hudson River from New York City to Albany Used steam engine, made 2-way river travel possible 1838, first steamship crossed the Atlantic Ocean

Railroad 1825, George Stephenson made railway locomotive commercially successful 1830, Rocket, traveled at 16mph on the Liverpool-Manchester railway Many private companies were hired to build rail lines

Impact of Railroads Greatly reduced cost of shipping freight on land Resulted in growing regional and national markets Facilitated the growth of urban working class who came from country side

Europe and the Industrial Revolution

Catching up After the Napoleonic Wars, continental Europe began catching up to Britain Studied Britain’s early mistakes and avoided them Borrowed British technology, hired British engineers, and gained British capital Used strong banking systems

Social Implications New social order in place Golden age of the middle class – Two levels of bourgeoisie Upper-bankers, merchants, industrialist Lower-Small merchants, professional men Certain ethnic and religious groups became successful