1. The Industrial Revolution
Chapter 5
Section 1

2. The Earth is 4.6 billion years old
Scale that down to 46 years. We have only been here for 4 hours. Our industrial revolution began 1 minute ago. In that time, we have destroyed more than 50% of the world’s forests.

3. Facts: Single greatest shift in civilization.
Started in Britain in the 1700’s.
Before the I.R., most people lived in small farming villages and knew little about life outside their village.
New inventions: telegraph, sewing machine, anesthetic, antiseptics, steam engines.

4. Facts: Villages became cities with factories and centers of trade.
Farming improved; able to produce mass amounts of food.
#1 effect of the I.R.:
POPULATION EXPLOSION
More food + sanitation = longer life, healthier babies and pregnancies.

5. Why Britain?
A lot of natural resources (rivers, canals, land, coal mines, lumber).
Strong navy and stable gov’t.
Britain was wealthy due to trade.
Capital (money) is invested in enterprise (new businesses in shipping, mining, railroads, etc.).

6. Textile Industry and Transportation
Factories sprang up in cities to produce textiles (fabrics) with new steam-powered machines.
Britain’s main export: sheep’s wool.
Mass production of wool clothing brought much wealth to Britain.