Industrial Revolution Great Britain: How and Why It Happened
Birth of the Industrial Revolution, Part One THE SEEDS
Early 1700s: Great Britain What do you notice about this woman? Imagine how she might have lived. http://fifthestate.co.uk/wp-images/features/songlarkposter.jpg
Early 1700s: Great Britain Most people were farmers = rural population Many peasants working for landowners Skilled craftsmen, or artisans, made household goods like
Population Growth Enclosure Movement advanced farming technology but put squatters out Better crop yields = more people More people meant more demand for goods
Rise of Cottage Industry Increased demand for cloth Merchants hired workers to spin and weave at home Whole families working together, even kids. http://www.oldukphotos.com/graphics/ireland%20photos/general,%20i rish%20spinning%20wheel%201900's.jpg This became known as the Cottage Industry.
Cottage Industry: Effects Big profits for merchants New income for peasants New class of people emerging http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/images/highres_20027815.jpg Can you see any down-sides to the Cottage Industry?
Innovation New machines and techniques improve the production levels and efficiency of turning wool and cotton into cloth. Spinning Jenny Waterframe The Mule Power Loom Cotton Gin
James Hargreaves s Spinning Jenny http://www.let.leidenuniv.nl/history/ivh/spinning%20jenny.gif Eli Whitney s Cotton Gin http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/12700/12718/cottongin_12718_md.gif Richard Arkwright s Waterframe http://www.let.leidenuniv.nl/history/ivh/waterframe.gif Samuel Crompton s Spinning Mule http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/images/localhistory/spinning-mule.jpg
Rise of Factories Big Machines = Bigger Buildings Mass production of goods Prices decrease: mass production can produce more for less Urbanization begins: More people move to cities where the work is
Birth of the Industrial Revolution, Part Two THE FERTILIZER
Capitalism At it s heart, capitalism is about buying and selling to get what we need and want.
Capitalism: Basic vocab TRADE = buying and selling Trade happens at MARKETS Merchants manufacture goods to sell for a PROFIT (not immediate use) Goods are often called COMMODITIES Production determined by SUPPLY and DEMAND COMPETITION keeps prices fair
Role of Capitalism in IR Great Britain: Market-based economic system Buying and selling of goods went largely unregulated by the government Private ownership and enterprise encouraged Profit potential motivated people to expand markets
Capitalism is GOOD 1. FREEDOM: Work where you choose, buy what you want, make and sell what you want 2. EFFICIENCY: Buyers will buy the best product at the lowest cost. Producers must work to meet this expectation in order to compete with rival producers. 3. Profit-motive = INNOVATION and risktaking.
Can you think of ways that capitalism might be BAD?
Birth of the Industrial Revolution, Part Three GROWTH!
Key Resource #1: Coal More people = less wood. Coal becomes main source of fuel. Great Britain has abundant supply. Mines get dug deeper = DANGER http://www.dkimages.com/discover/previews/747/101639.jpg
Key Resource #2: Steam Deeper mines could flood, endangering miners. In 1712, Thomas Newcomen invented the first steam engine to pump water out of the mines. http://z.about.com/d/inventors/1/5/y/e/newcomensteamengine.jpg
Revolution in Steam Water heated by burning coal can be directed The pressure of the steam could turn turbines, run pulleys, or power other machines Eventually, steam engines were also used to power boats and trains. What are some ways that steam could be used in industry?
Key Resource #3: Iron Traditionally, blacksmiths shaped with fire and tools. Rolling and purifying raw iron allowed iron to be shaped more easily and consistently. http://www.amlwchhistory.co.uk/images/smelters.jpg How could iron be used in industry?
Transportation: Railroads Road travel was slow and cumbersome Steam = Engines Iron = Tracks http://www.copyrightexpired.com/hawkins/nyc/large/train.jpg By 1870, over 15,000 miles of track had been laid in Great Britain
Other Transportation Barges and steam ships Government builds canals to link rivers and make ship-travel easier Roads were paved and bridges were built Better transportation makes trade easier AND requires more products, thus stimulating economic growth and transforming the British economy.
Recap: Why Great Britain? Natural resources: coal and iron deposits Island: Separated from continental warring and more ports Stable government: encouraged trade and innovation Colonies: cheap labor, raw materials, and markets for manufacturing surplus Social and physical mobility: People could move around the country and up the social ladder.