The Industrial Revolution Overview

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Questions and Answers

What was a significant impact of child labor on factory production costs?

Had no effect on production costs

Reduced the number of jobs available for adults

Kept production costs low and profits high (correct)

Increased production costs substantially

How did the introduction of women and children into the workforce affect men during the Industrial Revolution?

Men had fewer job opportunities than before

Men were only responsible for managerial roles

Men faced competition for jobs from both women and children (correct)

Men's wages increased significantly

What was one of the main goals of labor unions during the Industrial Revolution?

To discourage strikes and maintain the status quo

To reduce the number of workers in factories

To increase work hours for better productivity

To demand increased wages and improved working conditions (correct)

What was a common characteristic of the working conditions during the Industrial Revolution?

Long workdays averaging 12-14 hours Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of the Industrial Revolution regarding slavery?

More free people were employed, contributing to the end of slavery Signup and view all the answers

What major change did the Industrial Revolution bring to the way goods were produced?

Goods began to be manufactured on a large scale in factories. Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary reasons for urbanization during the Industrial Revolution?

The growth of the factory system drew people to cities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following resources contributed to England being the starting point of the Industrial Revolution?

Abundant supplies of coal, iron ore, and flowing water. Signup and view all the answers

How did the living conditions in cities during the Industrial Revolution generally fare?

Conditions were poor, with many families living in tenements. Signup and view all the answers

What type of fabric was the first product to be industrialized during the Industrial Revolution?

Textiles. Signup and view all the answers

What effect did the Industrial Revolution have on family structure?

The factory system reduced the family-based work structure. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic defines a tenement as experienced during the Industrial Revolution?

They were small one-room houses housing entire families. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant health issue faced by urban populations during the Industrial Revolution?

The rapid spread of diseases due to poor living conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Industrial Revolution (1760-1900)

The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant change, beginning in England in the 1800s, and spreading to the U.S. and Western Europe.
Before 1800, most people lived in small villages, and goods were produced at home.
Natural resources were abundant.
Rural land was often shared for crops and livestock.
Factories emerged, and cities grew.
New jobs were created, leading to people moving to the cities.
England had an abundant supply of coal, iron ore, and flowing water, which contributed to its industrial development.
Textiles were the first products to be industrialized on a large scale.
Textiles are a type of woven fabric.
Steel was later developed, as it could withstand heat better than iron.
The way goods were produced changed significantly.
- Before the Industrial Revolution, goods were produced within the home by family members (cottage industry).
- After the Industrial Revolution, goods were produced in mass quantities in factories using assembly lines with hundreds of workers.

Effects of the Industrial Revolution

Urbanization: The growth of cities and the movement of people to cities.
- Reasons for urbanization include the growth of the factory system and the establishment of cities near energy sources like rivers to power mills.
Living Conditions in Cities: Cities lacked adequate housing, police presence, sanitation, sewage, and plumbing for everyone.
- Families lived in small, one-room homes called tenements.
- Diseases spread easily, and life expectancy was low.
Family Structure: Family-based cottage industries were replaced by the factory system. The Industrial Revolution substantially impacted family structure and function.
Factory System: The factory system emerged with harsh working conditions.
- Men, women, and children competed for wages.
- Child labor kept production costs low and increased profits for factory owners.
- The assembly line was created.
Factory Owners' Control: Owners of mines and factories had significant control over their laborers' lives, from pay to housing.
Women and Children in the Workplace: Women and children entered the workplace for the first time, providing cheaper labor than men.
- Children were considered valuable workers; they were small enough to work in factories, and were paid little.
- Eventually, child labor laws were reformed, and children were required to attend school instead of work.
Abolition of Slavery: The industrial revolution played a significant role in the ending of slavery in some places.
- More free people were employed in factories, reducing reliance on enslaved labor.
Labor Unions: Labor unions formed to fight for improved wages and working conditions for workers.
- Unions encouraged strikes.
- Unions pushed for laws to improve working conditions for workers.
Working Conditions During the Industrial Revolution:
- Average workday was 12-14 hours.
- People worked 6 days a week.
- Wages were less than $1 per week.
- Work was often boring and repetitive.
- Work was dangerous due to poor lighting, ventilation, and heavy machinery.
- Damp and dark factories caused numerous illnesses.

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Description

Explore the significant changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution from 1760 to 1900. This period saw the transition from rural living and cottage industries to urbanization and factory production, particularly in textiles and steel. Discover how natural resources were key to England's industrial growth and how societal impacts reshaped communities.