British Industrialization: Factors and Impact

Factors Behind British Industrialization

• Britain industrialized first due to abundant coal and iron resources, which powered machinery.
• The Agricultural Revolution increased food production, freeing up labor for factories.
• Political stability and a strong banking system provided capital for investments.
• Its colonial empire and trade networks supplied raw materials and markets.

Major Products & Patterns of Industrialization

• The steam engine, invented by James Watt, powered factories and transportation, increasing efficiency.
• Textile machinery like the Spinning Jenny and power loom led to mass production of fabrics.
• The Bessemer Process for iron and steel enabled the construction of railroads, bridges, and ships.

Social Class System in 19th-Century Britain

• The aristocracy were wealthy landowners who held political power.
• The middle class comprised factory owners, merchants, and professionals, and grew in influence.
• The working class were laborers in factories, often in poor conditions with low wages.

Changes in Women’s Roles

• More women joined industrial labor in factories but were paid less than men.
• Middle-class women were expected to focus on home life.
• Early feminist movements pushed for voting rights and workplace reforms.

Political & Economic Liberalism

• Political liberalism advocated for individual rights, democracy, and constitutional government.
• Economic liberalism supported free markets and minimal government interference (laissez-faire).

Nationalism & Its Spread

• Nationalism is loyalty to one’s nation, often based on shared culture, language, and history.
• The unification of Germany in 1871 under Otto von Bismarck exemplifies the spread of nationalism.

Russia in the 19th Century

• Russia was an absolute monarchy under the Tsars, resisting democratic reforms.
• It was predominantly agrarian; serfdom was abolished in 1861, but industrialization was slow.

Differences Between Russia, Austria-Hungary & The Ottoman Empire

• These empires lagged behind Western Europe.
• Russia had autocracy and resisted industrialization.
• Austria-Hungary was weakened by ethnic divisions.
• The Ottoman Empire was the "Sick Man of Europe," weakened by military defeats and economic decline.

Relationship Between Industrialization and Urbanization

• Industrialization led to urbanization by creating jobs in factories.
• People migrated from rural areas into rapidly growing cities for work.

Key Reforms in Britain (Early 20th Century)

• Social reforms from 1906-1914 introduced pensions and unemployment benefits.
• The 1911 Parliament Act limited the power of the House of Lords.
• The 1918 Representation of the People Act gave voting rights to more citizens, including some women.

Britain vs. France Political Systems

• Britain had gradual democratization and retained its monarchy.
• France had frequent regime changes and established the Third Republic in 1870.

Progressive Era Reforms (U.S.)

• Antitrust laws broke up monopolies (e.g., the Sherman Act).
• Labor reforms restricted child labor and improved workplace safety.
• Women's suffrage was achieved in 1920 with the 19th Amendment, granting voting rights to women.

Social & Political Tensions in U.S. vs. Canada

• The U.S. faced racial tensions (Jim Crow laws), labor strikes, and rapid urbanization.
• Canada experienced tensions between English and French-speaking populations.

Immigration’s Role in Industrialization (U.S. & Canada)

• Immigration provided cheap labor for factories, railroads, and mines.
• It increased economic growth but also led to social tensions and discrimination.

Socioeconomic Trends in Latin America (1800s)

• Economies relied on raw material exports like coffee and sugar.
• Political instability was characterized by frequent coups and military rule.
• Social inequality saw wealth concentrated among elites, with poor working conditions for laborers.

Karl Marx & The Communist Manifesto

• Karl Marx argued that capitalism exploits workers (proletariat) for profit.
• He called for class struggle to establish a classless, socialist society.

The Proletariat

• The proletariat consists of working-class laborers who sell their labor for wages.
• They are central to Marxist theory and are seen as the force for revolution.

Relevance of Marx’s Ideas

• Marx's ideas influenced labor movements, socialist parties, and revolutions, such as the Russian Revolution in 1917.

Charles Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection

• Natural selection explains that species evolve through survival of the fittest.
• It provided a scientific basis for evolution and challenged religious views.

Darwin’s Theory of Organic Evolution

• Darwin's theory was opposed by religious institutions.
• The theory would eventually became the foundation of modern biology.

The Myth of European Superiority

• This was an idea claiming Europeans were inherently superior, justifying imperialism.
• It ignored achievements of advanced non-European civilizations.
• China's Qing Dynasty had an advanced bureaucracy and technology.
• The Mughal Empire (India) had a thriving economy and rich cultural traditions.
• The Mali Empire in Africa had immense wealth and learning centers like Timbuktu.

White Man’s Burden

• It's a poem by Rudyard Kipling promoting the idea that Europeans had a duty to "civilize" non-European peoples.
• This justified imperialism as a moral obligation rather than exploitation.
• It was used to support colonial rule, particularly in Africa and the Philippines.

Berlin Conference (1884-1885)

• European powers met to divide Africa among themselves to avoid conflict.
• It established arbitrary borders that ignored ethnic and cultural groups, leading to long-term instability.

Spanish-American War (1898)

• The U.S. acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam as colonies.

Yellow Journalism

• Yellow Journalism is sensationalized and exaggerated news stories designed to provoke emotions.
• Newspapers like "The New York Journal" exaggerated Spain’s actions in Cuba and pressuring the U.S. into war.

Most Advanced Civilizations Before Imperialism

• China had a strong economy, powerful military, and vast trade networks.
• The Ottoman Empire controlled major trade routes and had an advanced military.
• The Mughal Empire (India) was wealthy and highly organized with flourishing arts and architecture.

Scramble for Africa (Late 19th Century)

• Industrial demand for raw materials drove the scramble for Africa.
• Nationalist competition among European powers prompted it.
• Missionary efforts and the desire to "civilize" Africa played a part.
• Artificial borders led to future ethnic conflicts.
• Exploitation of African resources and labor followed.
• Resistance movements and wars against colonial rule emerged.

Non-Economic Motives of Imperialism

• Political motives included nationalism and competition for global power.
• Religious motives centered on missionaries spreading Christianity.
• Social Darwinism was the belief that stronger nations had a right to dominate weaker ones.

Decline of the African Slave Trade

• Abolition movements in Britain and the U.S. contributed to its decline.
• Industrialization made wage labor more efficient than slave labor.
• Pressure from African resistance movements also played a role.
• In 1807, Britain banned the slave trade.
• In 1833, slavery was abolished in the British Empire.
• In 1865, slavery was abolished in the U.S. (13th Amendment).

Comparison of French, Dutch & British Imperialism

• The French used assimilation, trying to make colonies culturally "French."
• The Dutch focused on economic exploitation, especially in Indonesia.
• The British used indirect rule, keeping local leaders in power under British oversight.

Indirect Rule vs. Direct Rule

• Indirect rule involves local leaders retaining some power but following colonial policies.
• Direct rule means the colonizing country controlled all aspects of governance.
• Indirect rule sometimes preserved traditions, while direct rule often led to cultural destruction.

Countries Never Colonized

• Ethiopia was never colonized thanks to their defeat of Italy in 1896 at the Battle of Adwa.
• Thailand was a buffer state between British Burma and French Indochina.

Major Cash Crops in Southeast Asia

• Rubber cultivation took place in Malaysia and Indonesia.
• Sugar was grown in the Philippines and Indonesia.
• Tea production took place in India and Sri Lanka.

King Leopold & Congo

• King of Belgium, personally controlled the Congo Free State.

British Colonization of Egypt – The Importance of the Suez Canal

• The Suez Canal, completed in 1869, connected the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea.
• This shortened trade routes between Europe and Asia, especially British-controlled India.
• It allowed Britain to quickly transport goods, troops, and resources.
• Britain gained financial control over Egypt due to Egypt’s debt crisis.
• Britain occupied Egypt in 1882 to secure the Suez Canal.
• Egypt remained under British influence until 1956, when nationalist movements caused the Suez Crisis.

Comparison of Imperialism in Asia vs. Africa

• Governance in Asia involved more indirect rule, such as the British use of local elites in India.
• Governance in Africa featured greater direct rule, such as the French taking full control in Algeria.
• The Economic Impact in Asia focused on plantations and raw materials like spices, tea, and opium with established trade routes.
• The Economic Impact in Africa focused on resource extraction (gold, rubber, diamonds. Colonizers built infrastructure to benefit exports.
• The introduction of Western education in Asia impacted culture, but Asian traditions generally remained strong.
• In Africa, borders were drawn without regard for ethnic groups, leading to future conflicts.
• Strong, organized resistance movements emerged in Asia (Indian Revolt of 1857, Boxer Rebellion in China).
• Africa saw more fragmented resistance due to diverse tribal and ethnic groups (Zulu resistance, Mahdist Revolt in Sudan).

Effects of Imperialism – Both Positive & Negative

• Infrastructure development included railroads, ports, and telegraphs. This was mainly for the colonizers but also benefited colonized societies.
• Modern education and medicine were introduced to both societies.
• Colonized regions were integrated into the global economy, increasing exports.
• Exploitation of resources involved natural wealth being taken for European economies.
• Indigenous traditions, languages, and governance systems were suppressed, leading to cultural destruction.
• Artificial borders weakened local governance, leading to future conflict.
• Colonies were forced to grow cash crops for export.

Industrial Revolution

• Britain industrialized first because of abundant natural resources like coal and iron.
• The Agricultural Revolution freed up labor for factories.
• A stable government and banking system encouraged investments.
• The colonial empire and trade networks provided raw materials and markets.
• The textile industry mass-produced fabrics using machines like the spinning jenny.
• Steam power revolutionized transportation and factories.
• Iron and steel production enabled construction of railways, bridges, and skyscrapers.
• Many women entered the workforce, but for lower wages than men.
• Middle-class women were expected to focus on domestic life.
• Working conditions fueled early feminist movements for suffrage and labor laws.
• History is defined by conflict between the ruling and working classes.
• Capitalism enriches the bourgeoisie while oppressing the proletariat.
• The working class should overthrow capitalism and establish a classless society.
• Rapid population growth, overcrowding, and poor living conditions resulted from the movement from rural to urban for people seeking factory jobs.
• Provided cheap labor for factories, railroads, and mines.
• Boosted economic growth but led to social tensions and discrimination.
• Nations relied on cash crops and raw materials exports.
• Frequent revolutions and authoritarian rule characterized political instability.
• Wealth was concentrated among elites, with large gaps between rich and poor.
• Organisms with traits best suited to their environment survive and reproduce.
• Challenged religious beliefs about creation and sparked debates over human evolution.

Imperialism

• The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) was a meeting where European powers divided Africa among themselves to prevent conflicts.
• It created artificial borders that ignored African cultures, leading to long-term instability.
• The Spanish-American War (1898) marked the U.S. as a global power, and acquired the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam from Spain.
• Yellow journalism sensationalized and exaggerated Spanish atrocities in Cuba.
• This encouraged public support for war by portraying Spain as cruel oppressors.
• Exploitation of resources, cultural suppression, and modernization in Asia.
• Exploitation, destruction of traditional societies, and resistance movements in Africa.
• Economic: Desire for raw materials and new markets.
• Political: Nationalist competition among European powers.
• Cultural: "Civilizing mission".
• Direct Rule: Colonizers governed directly with officials from the imperial power.
• Indirect Rule: Local rulers retained some authority but followed colonial policies.
• Suez Canal was a crucial shortcut between Europe and Asia.
• Britain took control of Egypt in 1882 to secure access to the canal.

World War I (1914-1918)

• The Triple Entente was an alliance between France, Russia, and Britain formed to counter Germany’s growing power.
• The Triple Alliance was an agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy before WWI.
• Italy left the alliance when the war started, the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria) fought against the Allies.
• Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist, on June 28, 1914.
• The assassin belonged to the Black Hand, a group seeking independence for Slavic nations from Austria-Hungary.
• Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, triggering WWI as alliances pulled other nations into the conflict.
• The Schlieffen Plan was Germany’s military strategy to avoid a two-front war by quickly defeating France before turning to Russia.
• The plan failed, leading to trench warfare and Britain’s entry into the war after Germany invaded Belgium.
• Germany invaded Belgium to pass through the neutral nation to invade France.
• Britain declared war on Germany (August 4, 1914).
• The declaration was due to a treaty protecting Belgian neutrality.
• Trench Warfare was a defensive style of warfare where soldiers lived in dug-out trenches along the front lines.
• This Represented the stalemate and massive casualties of WWI, especially on the Western Front (France & Belgium).
• The US entered WWI because of unrestricted Submarine Warfare, the Zimmerman Telegram as well as the sinking of the Lusitania.

The Russian Revolution (1917) & Bolshevism

• Two major causes of the Russian Revolution were economic hardship and weak leadership.
• WWI caused severe food shortages and worker strikes.
• Tsar Nicholas II was unpopular due to military failures and poor governance.
• Lenin advocated for a Marxist revolution led by the working class with the goal to overthrow capitalism, redistribute land, and establish a socialist government.
• Lenin's April Theses included the principles of “Peace, Land, and Bread” (End war, give land to peasants, and improve living conditions), All Power to the Soviets (Workers’ councils should govern instead of the provisional government), Opposition to Capitalism.
• The Romanov family was executed to eliminate a rallying symbol for monarchists and to prevent foreign intervention that could restore the monarchy.
• The impact of the Bolshevik Revolution would result in a civil war as well as the spread of communism.

US Involvement in WWI & Global Impact

• The sinking of the RMS Lusitania: A German U-boat sank the British liner Lusitania, killing 128 Americans causing outrage in the US.
• The Zimmerman Telegram: A secret German proposal for Mexico to attack the U.S. in exchange for regaining Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, pushed the U.S. closer to war.
• Women took factory, transportation, and nursing jobs.
• Their contributions accelerated voting rights in Britain (1918) and the U.S. (1920).
• Wartime Propaganda objectives included Recruitment, Financing the War, National Unity, and Resource Conservation.
• Germany (~2 million dead), and Russia (~1.7 million dead) lost the most men during WWI.
• France & Britain recruited troops from their colonies.
• Colonized people hoped for independence but were often denied it.
• African-American soldiers: fought for democracy in Europe while facing racism and segregation at home, facing better treatment in France than in the U.S.

Post-War Agreements & Consequences

• Wilson’s Fourteen Points major goals were self-determination, to create the League of Nations, and to end secret alliances.
• The Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany included the War Guilt Clause, Reparations, Military Restrictions, and Territorial Losses.
• The failure of the League of Nations was due to no U.S. Participation, the need of a military force, and failed to stop aggression.

Nationalism

• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Modern Turkish Republic (1923), modernized and secularized Turkey, and Promoted education and women’s rights.
• The Modern Turkish Republic included secularism, nationalism, and westernization.
• The Sykes-Picot Agreement (1916) was a secret deal between Britain and France to divide the Ottoman Empire’s Middle Eastern territories after WWI,ignoring Arab aspirations for independence, leading to resentment.
• The World Zionist Organization: Established by Theodor Herzl in 1897 to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
• The Balfour Declaration (1917) promised British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.
• Arab Reaction: was outraged as they had been promised independence.
• Banana Republics is how governments Latin American countries dominated by U.S. fruit companies, such as United Fruit Company.
• The Good Neighbor Policy (FDR) sought to improve U.S.-Latin American relations by ending military interventions, while rejecting previous U.S. policies of military intervention in Latin America.
• World War II was in part to support authoritarian Governments due to economic instability, fear of communism, and nationalism.

World War II

• Fascism Key Traits: Authoritarian rule, extreme nationalism, militarism, and suppression of opposition.
• Communism Key Traits: Classless society, government control of economy, one-party rule, and internationalist outlook.
• Communism in Hitler and Mussolini’s Rise:Fear of communism led businesses and elites to support fascist leaders.
• Mussolini’s Actions and Policies like suppressed opposition, controlled the media, and allied with the Catholic Church helped strengthen his rule.
• Hitler’s Rise to Power used nationalism and militarism to gain support, Promised to restore Germany’s power after WWI, and Used anti-communist rhetoric.
• Hitler’s Trial and Mein Kampf outlined Anti-Semitism, nationalism, and expansionism.
• Conservative Support For Hitler: They believed they could control him while using his popularity.
• Enabling Acts of 1933: Allowed Hitler to rule by decree giving him dictatorial powers, marking the end of democracy in Germany.
• Nazi Economic Policy reduced unemployment.
• Nuremberg Laws (1935): Stripped Jews of German citizenship, banned marriages between Jews and non-Jews, forbade Jews from holding government jobs, and required Jews to wear Star of David badges.
• Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) Nazi-led mobs attacked Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues leading to the Holocaust.
• The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) was a “Dress Rehearsal” for WWII as fascist forces fought against a leftist government.
• Germany’s Military Allies were Italy and Japan.
• Munich Conference (1938) was when Britain and France responded to Hitler by giving Hitler the Sudetenland (Czechoslovakia) in hopes of avoiding war (appeasement).
• Nazi Germany used millions of forced laborers from occupied countries.
• The Final Solution was the Nazi plan to exterminate all Jews in Europe.
• Largest Concentration Camp: Auschwitz-Birkenau: where over a million people were murdered.
• The Population of the Jewish Exterminated: Poland (~90%), Baltic States (~90%), and Germany (~25%).
• Other Victims of the Nazis included Roma and disabled people.
• Attack on Pearl Harbor (1941)Japan hoped to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet to prevent U.S. interference in Japan’s expansion in Asia.
• The Grand Alliance (WWII) included the United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom.
• The Axis Powers (WWII) Germany, Italy, and Japan.
• D-Day (June 6, 1944): was when Allies' invaded Normandy France, largest amphibious invasion in history to push back Nazi forces.
• Soviet Women in WWII served as combat soldiers, snipers, pilots, and factory workers.
• Segregation in the US Military affected African-American Soldiers as they fought in segregated units with white officers.
• Japanese-American Internment: 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated to internment camps, losing their homes and businesses.

World War I and The Great Depression

World War 1

• The alliances leading up to World War I were the Triple Alliance (1882) between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy (Italy later switched sides), and the Triple Entente (1907) between France, Russia, Britain.
• The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand triggered WWI because Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia → Russia backed Serbia → Germany backed Austria-Hungary → France and Britain joined.
• Trench warfare created stalemates and battles like Verdun and the Somme had huge losses, impacting the strategies and outcome of WWI.
• The main reasons for the U.S. joining the war were unrestricted submarine warfare by the germans, the the Zimmerman Telegram, and economic ties with Allies.
• Propaganda encouraged enlistment, demonized Germany, and promoted war bonds.
• Lenin’s Bolshevik Revolution transformed Russia by overthrowing the Provisional Government in 1917, Established a one-party communist state, leading to the Soviet Union and signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk (withdrew Russia from WWI).
• The key objectives of Wilson’s Fourteen Points included self-determination, freedom of the seas and trade, and the creation of the League of Nations .
• The league of nations failed because the U.S. never joined, there was no military force to enforce decisions, and there was an ineffective response to aggressors like Japan, Italy, and Germany.

Nationalism

• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s reforms in Turkey including secularized government, westernized laws and clothing, and gave women rights.
• The Sykes-Picot Agreement shaped the modern Middle East where Britain and France secretly divided Ottoman lands into spheres of influence and created artificial borders, leading to future conflicts.
• The goal of the Balfour Declaration was to support a Jewish homeland in Palestine, leading to Jewish-Arab tensions.
• The Good Neighbor Policy shifted U.S. relations with Latin America by ending U.S. military interventions and promoted economic cooperation.

World war 2

• Fascism is nationalist, supports private business, and is authoritarian.
• Communism promotes a classless society, no private property, and a state-run economy.
• Mussolini promised to restore Roman glory.
• Hitler blamed Jews & the Treaty of Versailles for Germany’s problems, using nationalist rhetoric to gain power.
• The Great Depression led to economic instability, and strong leaders due to desperation.
• Hitler implemented propaganda and censorship, used a secret police to eliminate opposition, and youth indoctrination to solidify Nazi control.
• The Nuremberg Laws stripped Jews of citizenship and rights to marry non-Jews.
• The Spanish Civil War was a testing ground for Nazi and fascist tactics.
• The Munich Conference demonstrated appeasement, britain and France let Hitler take Sudetenland to avoid war.
• The Holocaust was the mass Genocide of 6 million Jews using concentration camps for mass executions.
• Pearl Harbor was when Japan attacked the U.S. on December 7, 1941, bringing America into WWII.
• Women's roles greatly contributed the contribution to the war effort by Soviet women and women in the U.S.
• Soviet women fought as snipers, pilots, soldiers and U.S. women worked as military personel, nurses and in factories.
• Segregated military. Often given non-combat roles
• D-Day was the day allied forces invaded Normandy, France to turn the tide against Germany in Western Europe on June 6, 1944.
• Japanese american where forced into internment camps (120,000 people, mostly U.S. citizens).

Mussolini’s Rise to Power (1922)

• Italy was dissatisfied with its gains from the Treaty of Versailles.
• Economic struggles and fear of communism led people to support a strong leader.
• Mussolini’s March on Rome in 1922 forced the king to appoint him as Prime Minister.
• Loss of national pride helped Mussolini where his rhetoric appealed to the masses.