Industrial Revolution in Britain

Industrialization in Britain

• Britain was the first to industrialize because of its rich natural resources, like coal and iron.
• Its stable government fostered innovation and economic growth.
• A developed financial sector, entrepreneurial spirit, and technological advances, such as the steam engine, further supported industrialization.
• The British colonial empire provided access to raw materials and markets.

Major Industrial Revolution Products and Trends

• Textiles were among the first and most important industries to expand.
• Steel production was revolutionized by processes such as the Bessemer method, which was essential for infrastructure and machinery.
• Railroads transformed transportation, facilitating trade, transport and industry connections.

Influence of Industrialization on Women's Roles

• Women increasingly found work in factories, especially in the textile industry, but were paid less than men.
• Division of labor occurred, with men in factories and women primarily responsible for domestic work.
• Industrialization and urbanization created new job opportunities for women, however, simultaneously caused harsh conditions within factories.

Core Tenets of the Communist Manifesto

• Society is divided into the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat (workers), who were in conflict.
• Capitalists exploit workers for profit, according to Marx.
• Marx called for the proletariat to revolt against the bourgeoisie in order to build a classless, communist society with shared resources.

Relationship Between Industrialization and Urbanization

• Industrialization directly caused urbanization.
• People migrated to cities seeking factory employment, resulting in rapid population growth and frequently unsanitary conditions.

How Immigration Influenced Industrialization in the U.S. and Canada

• Immigrants provided a vital labor pool for the growing industrial economies of the United States and Canada.
• Many immigrants worked in factories, mines, and railroads.
• Immigration increased cultural diversity, but also led to increased job competition and cultural tensions.

Socio-Economic Trends of the 19th Century in Latin America

• There was constant political instability, including frequent leadership changes and battles for independence from European countries.
• Latin American countries were highly reliant on exporting commodities such as coffee, sugar, and minerals to developed countries.
• Colonial structures caused significant inequality between rich landowners and the working class.

Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection

• Organisms best adapted to their surroundings are more likely to survive and procreate, which drives species evolution.
• Darwin's theory was contentious as it contradicted religious views, particularly the Biblical creation narrative.
• Raised questions regarding human origins, generating resistance from religious circles.

The Berlin Conference

• The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) was a European powers meeting to divide Africa and establish colonization rules.
• Its purpose was to avoid disputes between European countries over African lands.

Significance of the Spanish-American War

• The Spanish-American War (1898) established the United States as a global imperial power.
• The United States won against Spain, gaining territories such as the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
• This victory signified development towards imperialism in US foreign policy.

Yellow Journalism's Influence on the Spanish-American War

• Yellow journalism exaggerated Spanish atrocities in Cuba in order to galvanize public support for US intervention.

Impact of European Imperialism on Asia and Africa

• Imperialism in Asia resulted in the exploitation of resources and forced cultural changes.
• It also left instability and conflicts in countries such as India and China.
• European imperialism split Africa into colonies with disregard for ethnic or cultural lines in Africa.
• Led to political instability, economic exploitation, and social upheaval.

Main Motivations for Western Imperialist Expansion

• Economic motives included access to raw materials and new markets for manufactured goods.
• Political motives centered on increasing power and prestige through colony acquisition.
• A belief in the "civilizing mission" drove cultural motives, which aimed to spread Christianity and Western culture.
• Strategic objectives included control over vital geographic locations such as canals and trade routes.

Variations Between Direct and Indirect Rule in European Colonies

• Direct rule involved control of colonies by European officials and soldiers, as implemented by the French, often integrating local populations.
• Indirect rule maintained local authorities while European powers controlled policies, as practiced by the British, leveraging existing social structures for control while reducing direct intervention.

The Suez Canal's Role in British Colonialism

• The Suez Canal opened in 1869, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, cutting travel time between Europe and Asia.
• Egypt's geographic importance became critical to British colonial interests, particularly for controlling India.