Industrial and Agricultural Revolutions

Study Notes

The Agricultural Revolution paved the way for industrialization.
Enclosures, or large farm fields enclosed by fences, were created.
Wealthy landowners bought and enclosed land previously owned by village farmers.
Enclosures allowed for experimentation with new agricultural methods.

England had extensive natural resources which contributed to the Industrial Revolution.
These resources included water power, coal, iron ore, rivers for inland transportation, and harbors for merchant ships.
The readily available resources spurred development of new machines, tools, and buildings.

England's political stability provided an advantage over other countries.
While other countries fought wars at the time, England remained relatively peaceful which provided stability, crucial for encouraging investment and industrial growth.

Factors of production included land, labor, and capital (wealth).
These resources were necessary for producing the goods and services required by the Industrial Revolution.

Factories housed industrial machines.
Early factories used water power to drive a spinning system called the "Water Frame," which led to increased output of thread.
Output increased by 8 times by 1770 as a result of the Water Frame technological advancements.

The cotton gin (Eli Whitney): separated cotton seeds from fibers efficiently.
The spinning jenny (James Hargreaves): spun several threads at once from fiber.
The spinning frame (Richard Arkwright): Improved threads which were now stronger and thinner compared to those made from the spinning jenny.
The flying shuttle (John Kay) and the power loom: Increased the speed of weaving dramatically.

Steam Engine: James Watt improved the steam engine, crucial for new forms of power in machines. Matthew Boulton funded this, and was an important entrepreneur by managing and taking the business risks.
Water Transportation: Robert Fulton's steamboat, the Clermont, in 1807 marked a major breakthrough in water transportation. English canals or waterways also improved.
Road Transportation: British roads were improved, and companies operated toll roads known as turnpikes.
Railroads: Richard Trevithick built the first steam-powered locomotive in 1804. Railroads spur industrial growth, created jobs, and facilitated cheaper transportation, leading to population movement to cities.