Industrial Revolution Overview

Study Notes

Marked by significant technological advancements, particularly in Great Britain, from the mid-18th century to the mid-19th century.
Key innovations included the steam engine, the spinning jenny, and the power loom.
This period witnessed a shift from hand production to machine production, leading to increased productivity and mass production.

Economic Growth: Rapid economic growth and industrialization occurred in Great Britain, followed by other European nations.
Urbanization: People migrated to industrial centers in search of employment, resulting in urban population growth.
Social Change: New social classes emerged - the industrial working class, the middle class, and the wealthy industrialists.
Rise of Capitalism: The Industrial Revolution fostered the rise of capitalism, with its emphasis on private ownership and profit-driven markets.

Abundant Coal and Iron Resources: Great Britain possessed vast deposits of coal and iron, essential for industrial production.
Strong Agricultural Base: Improvements in agriculture increased food production and released labor for factories.
Stable Political System: A stable government with a strong legal system provided a favorable environment for businesses and industry.
Access to Overseas Markets: Great Britain had a large colonial empire, providing access to raw materials and markets for finished goods.

James Watt's Steam Engine (1769): Revolutionized power generation, allowing for machinery to operate more efficiently.
The Spinning Jenny (1764): Increased the speed of cotton spinning, accelerating textile production.
The Power Loom (1784): Automated the weaving process, further increasing textile production.
The Cotton Gin (1793): A device invented by Eli Whitney, revolutionized cotton production in the United States, making it faster and cheaper.

Positive Impacts: Created new industries, increased wealth, and raised living standards.
Negative Impacts: Led to environmental pollution, child labor, and poor working conditions in factories.

Occurred during the late 19th century and early 20th century.
Primarily focused on the development of steel, electricity, oil, and internal combustion engines.
These innovations further revolutionized production and transportation, leading to a globalized industrial economy.