The Industrial Revolution Background Notes
The Industrial Revolution was a time extending over the late 18th to early 20th century in which many important inventions were made and new ideas concerning technology (especially in the manufacturing industry) were introduced. It was a time of very dramatic technological changes. Originating in Britain in the 18th century, this time period is usually characterised by the introduction of machines and new inventions to make work easier and less expensive, the replacement of animal labour with human labour, and the widespread use of mineral resources.
The Industrial Revolution was a period of drastic change and growth in the realms of agriculture, technology, transportation, manufacturing, and mining. During this period, societies that were heavily dependent on agriculture to survive shifted to mechanization. The world was introduced to new innovative ways to efficiently mass-produce and trade beyond their small towns, cities, and national borders.
An Industrial Revolution at its core occurs when a society shifts from using tools to make products to using new sources of energy, such as coal, to power machines in factories. It's a shift from the home to the factory, from the country to the city, from human or animal power to engines powered by fossil fuels (coal and, later, oil).
The Industrial Revolution resulted in the most profound, far-reaching changes in the history of humanity and its influence continues to sweep through our lives today. The last 250 years of industrialization have altered our lives more than any event or development in the past 12,000 years: in where we live, how we work, what we wear, what we eat, what we do for fun, how we are educated, how long we live, and how many children we have. In short, the Industrial Revolution is the "game changer" of modern world history. When the Industrial Revolution started in the 18th century, the great majority of people lived in the countryside. But, the growth of cities coincided with the growth of industry, and rapid urbanization continues to increase in contemporary times. The same 250-year-old process has also resulted in modern technological advances that generations of people have grown accustomed to - such as steam engines, railroads, cars, modern appliances, and computers. Average life expectancy has more than doubled in industrialized nations.
From the 18th to 19th century, the Industrial Revolution spread throughout Britain and the USA, to Japan and, later, to the North Americas and various other colonial empires. The spreading to new areas was prompted by mechanisation (as cottage industries gave way to factories), technology (as the steam engine came to replace human, wind and water power) and minerals (as iron became widespread and coal overtook wood as the favoured fuel source.) New materials, mainly iron and steel, and energy sources such as coal and the steam engine were used.
The Revolution started in England, with a series of innovations to make labour more efficient and productive. In the new industrial cities, advances in technology and organization allowed the average worker to produce much more than ever before. The Revolution began in Britain, and then spread to other countries in Northern and Western Europe and the United States (1700s-1860s). Then, it was brought to Russia, Japan, other parts of Eastern and Southern Europe, Australia and New Zealand (1870s-1950s)
The Revolution saw great strides in the production of steel, railroads, electricity, and chemicals, and was characterised by the mass-production and mass-consumption of goods. Transport systems were revolutionised by steam trains, canals, and better quality roads. The new working conditions led to political changes as wealth moved away from the land and towards the new manufacturing classes and there were massive social changes brought about by international migration, a rising population, and the growth of urban areas.
The Industrial Revolution dramatically changed the social structure of Britain. There were a number of significant social impacts which accompanied the Industrial Revolution. There was a gradual increase in education and literacy after the 18th century. As living conditions improved, life expectancy increased and the populated grew dramatically. Gender roles changed due to employment in factories. A separation between home and work became clear. As men were paid higher wages than women, women were encourage to stay in the home.
New working conditions led to political changes as wealth moved away from the land towards the new manufacturing classes. The sudden acceleration of technical and economic development replaced the traditional agrarian economy. This domination of machinery and manufacturing was made possible through new farming technical advances and efficiencies such as the creation of the steam engine. This resulted in an increased supply of food and raw materials for exchange. Due to the availability of food, prices went down and living standards went up, with farmers able to exchange their surplus goods for new farming equipment, thus supporting manufacturers and further increasing population.
Millions of people migrated during the Industrial Revolution. Most people travelled to find work, but some migrated to escape Britain's poor living conditions. About a million of Irish labourers fled the famine of the 1840s for England or North America. From 1701 to 1751 Britain's population went from 6.5 to 7.5 million, and by 1901 it was just under 40 million.
Britain exhibited a number of favourable conditions for such a change. An increasing population in Britain created a larger workforce and natural resources (especially a plentiful and accessible supply of coal, and raw materials from its colonies) expanded markets in its increasing population. There was a strong middle class and a stable political system.
The Industrial Revolution was a period of drastic change and growth in the realms of agriculture, technology, transportation, manufacturing, and mining. During this period, societies that were heavily dependent on agriculture to survive shifted to mechanization. The world was introduced to new innovative ways to efficiently mass-produce and trade beyond their small towns, cities, and national borders.
An Industrial Revolution at its core occurs when a society shifts from using tools to make products to using new sources of energy, such as coal, to power machines in factories. It's a shift from the home to the factory, from the country to the city, from human or animal power to engines powered by fossil fuels (coal and, later, oil).
The Industrial Revolution resulted in the most profound, far-reaching changes in the history of humanity and its influence continues to sweep through our lives today. The last 250 years of industrialization have altered our lives more than any event or development in the past 12,000 years: in where we live, how we work, what we wear, what we eat, what we do for fun, how we are educated, how long we live, and how many children we have. In short, the Industrial Revolution is the "game changer" of modern world history. When the Industrial Revolution started in the 18th century, the great majority of people lived in the countryside. But, the growth of cities coincided with the growth of industry, and rapid urbanization continues to increase in contemporary times. The same 250-year-old process has also resulted in modern technological advances that generations of people have grown accustomed to - such as steam engines, railroads, cars, modern appliances, and computers. Average life expectancy has more than doubled in industrialized nations.
From the 18th to 19th century, the Industrial Revolution spread throughout Britain and the USA, to Japan and, later, to the North Americas and various other colonial empires. The spreading to new areas was prompted by mechanisation (as cottage industries gave way to factories), technology (as the steam engine came to replace human, wind and water power) and minerals (as iron became widespread and coal overtook wood as the favoured fuel source.) New materials, mainly iron and steel, and energy sources such as coal and the steam engine were used.
The Revolution started in England, with a series of innovations to make labour more efficient and productive. In the new industrial cities, advances in technology and organization allowed the average worker to produce much more than ever before. The Revolution began in Britain, and then spread to other countries in Northern and Western Europe and the United States (1700s-1860s). Then, it was brought to Russia, Japan, other parts of Eastern and Southern Europe, Australia and New Zealand (1870s-1950s)
The Revolution saw great strides in the production of steel, railroads, electricity, and chemicals, and was characterised by the mass-production and mass-consumption of goods. Transport systems were revolutionised by steam trains, canals, and better quality roads. The new working conditions led to political changes as wealth moved away from the land and towards the new manufacturing classes and there were massive social changes brought about by international migration, a rising population, and the growth of urban areas.
The Industrial Revolution dramatically changed the social structure of Britain. There were a number of significant social impacts which accompanied the Industrial Revolution. There was a gradual increase in education and literacy after the 18th century. As living conditions improved, life expectancy increased and the populated grew dramatically. Gender roles changed due to employment in factories. A separation between home and work became clear. As men were paid higher wages than women, women were encourage to stay in the home.
New working conditions led to political changes as wealth moved away from the land towards the new manufacturing classes. The sudden acceleration of technical and economic development replaced the traditional agrarian economy. This domination of machinery and manufacturing was made possible through new farming technical advances and efficiencies such as the creation of the steam engine. This resulted in an increased supply of food and raw materials for exchange. Due to the availability of food, prices went down and living standards went up, with farmers able to exchange their surplus goods for new farming equipment, thus supporting manufacturers and further increasing population.
Millions of people migrated during the Industrial Revolution. Most people travelled to find work, but some migrated to escape Britain's poor living conditions. About a million of Irish labourers fled the famine of the 1840s for England or North America. From 1701 to 1751 Britain's population went from 6.5 to 7.5 million, and by 1901 it was just under 40 million.
Britain exhibited a number of favourable conditions for such a change. An increasing population in Britain created a larger workforce and natural resources (especially a plentiful and accessible supply of coal, and raw materials from its colonies) expanded markets in its increasing population. There was a strong middle class and a stable political system.
Bibliography
Industrial Revolution Inventions Timeline - 1712-1932. (n.d.) Retrieved 10 June, 2014, from
http://storiesofusa.com/industrial-revolution-inventions-timeline-1712-1942/
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Introduction to the Industrial Revolution (n.d.) Retrieved 7 July, 2014, from http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/ModernWorldHistoryTextbook/IndustrialRevolution/Introduction.html
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The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1914 | AC History Units (n.d.) Retrieved 10 June, 2014, from http://www.achistoryunits.edu.au/learning-sequence-1-4/tabs/y9-industrlia-ls1-1.html
Turning Points in History - Industrial Revolution, YouTube video, 3:32, posted by "AllHistories," October 2, 2009, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Efq-aNBkvc
Untitled Document (n.d.) Retrieved 7 July, 2014, from http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/ModernWorldHistoryTextbook/IndustrialRevolution/IRbegins.html
Industrial Revolution Inventions Timeline - 1712-1932. (n.d.) Retrieved 10 June, 2014, from
http://storiesofusa.com/industrial-revolution-inventions-timeline-1712-1942/
Industrial Revolution (n.d.) Retrieved 15 June, 2014, from http://www.fatbadgers.co.uk/britain/revolution.htm
Industrial Revolution Timeline. (n.d.) Retrieved 10 June, 2014, from http://www.softschools.com/timelines/industrial_revolution_timeline/40/
Introduction to the Industrial Revolution (n.d.) Retrieved 7 July, 2014, from http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/ModernWorldHistoryTextbook/IndustrialRevolution/Introduction.html
Koeller, D. (2001) Industrial Revolution: 1700-1900. Retrieved 10 June, 2014, from http://thenagain.info/
Landow, G. (2012) The Industrial Revolution: A Timeline. Retrieved 10 June, 2014, from http://www.victorianweb.org/
The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1914 | AC History Units (n.d.) Retrieved 10 June, 2014, from http://www.achistoryunits.edu.au/learning-sequence-1-4/tabs/y9-industrlia-ls1-1.html
Turning Points in History - Industrial Revolution, YouTube video, 3:32, posted by "AllHistories," October 2, 2009, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Efq-aNBkvc
Untitled Document (n.d.) Retrieved 7 July, 2014, from http://webs.bcp.org/sites/vcleary/ModernWorldHistoryTextbook/IndustrialRevolution/IRbegins.html
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