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Questions and Answers
What was the primary economic activity in Britain before 1750?
Which ism represents loyalty and devotion to a nation?
What characterizes capitalism as an economic system?
Which ism is associated with the theory of the evolution of species?
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What is the main goal of Chartism?
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What system is defined as a desire for a rich and powerful country to control other countries?
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Which ism emphasizes equality and equal treatment for all individuals?
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In which industries did the Industrial Revolution in Britain primarily begin?
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What was one of the primary changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution?
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Which economic class emerged prominently during the Industrial Revolution?
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What significant population shift occurred as a result of the Industrial Revolution?
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In what years did the Industrial Revolution primarily take place?
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What was a major technological advancement during the Industrial Revolution?
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What was the percentage of mobile phone users globally in 1990?
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How did the Internet impact businesses following the Tech Revolution?
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What percentage of the world’s population had cell phones by 2010?
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What was a significant factor that contributed to Britain's readiness for the Industrial Revolution?
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Which company was the largest British merchant trading company during the period leading up to the Industrial Revolution?
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Which raw material did Australia primarily provide to fuel Britain's industrial growth?
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What was the main consequence of the Enclosure Acts passed during the Agricultural Revolution?
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What innovative farming method did Charles Townshend introduce in 1730?
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Which agricultural improvement was introduced by Robert Bakewell?
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How did the Agricultural Revolution impact the workforce in Britain?
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What was the effect of improved farming machinery in the 1800s?
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What was one of the main benefits of Charles Townshend's agricultural innovation?
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How did new machinery contribute to the Industrial Revolution?
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Who built the first steam locomotive, and when was it built?
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What was a significant outcome of Robert Fulton's steamship innovations?
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What was the main focus of the internal combustion engine developed by Etienne Lenoir?
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Which two engineers experimented with gasoline leading to the development of early cars?
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How did turnpike trusts impact transportation in the early 1800s?
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What landmark structure was built by Abraham Darby in 1779?
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What factor significantly widened the gap between the rich and the poor during the Industrial Revolution?
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Which class was primarily responsible for holding political power and land before 1750?
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What negative living conditions did the middle classes face in urban areas during the Industrial Revolution?
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Why did urban areas begin to develop suburbs during the Industrial Revolution?
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Which technological advancement contributed to the density of retail and office areas in city centers during the Industrial Revolution?
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What was one effect of improved street lighting in cities during the Industrial Revolution?
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What was a common challenge families faced living in urban slums during the Industrial Revolution?
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What primary motivation drove people from rural areas to urban centers during the Industrial Revolution?
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Study Notes
The Industrial Revolution
- The Industrial Revolution occurred between the late 18th century and the early 19th century (around 1750 to around 1900).
- It was a period of significant technological advancements, particularly in the use of steam and coal-powered machinery, which replaced manual labor.
- These advancements led to increased efficiency in agriculture and industry.
- Key features of the Industrial Revolution include:
- a shift from handmade to machine-made production
- new iron production processes
- improved water power utilization
- the development of machine tools
- increased usage of steam power.
- The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on the economy, particularly in the rise of the middle class, which consisted of industrialists.
- The Industrial Revolution contributed substantially to the growth of the "middle class".
- It led to a significant increase in the living standards of ordinary people for the first time in history, marking a turning point in economic development.
- The Industrial Revolution caused a major shift in population distribution, as people moved from rural areas to cities in search of employment opportunities.
- Prior to the Industrial Revolution, 80% of the population lived in rural areas. After the revolution, this figure shifted to 80% living in urban areas.
- The Industrial Revolution is closely linked to other significant revolutions, such as the Technology Revolution, Agricultural Revolution, Commercial Revolution and Financial Revolution.
The Industrial Revolution in Britain
- Before 1750, Britain was primarily an agricultural society, with 80% of the population living and working on farms in rural areas.
- Despite the small size of most farms, agriculture was the dominant economic activity in Britain.
- During this period, towns and villages were small and self-contained, with limited travel options due to poor road systems.
- The Industrial Revolution began in Britain with industries focused on iron, coal, cotton, and wool production.
- There was no single event that marked its beginning.
7 Isms of the Industrial Revolution
- The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant social change, with seven key ideas or philosophies, known as "isms", emerging.
- These "isms" shaped and continue to shape the modern world.
- Nationalism: Loyalty and devotion to a nation.
- Imperialism: A system where powerful nations control weaker ones, or a desire for such control.
- Capitalism: A system where trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.
- Egalitarianism: A philosophy based on equality and equal treatment for all people.
- Chartism: A working-class movement for political reform.
- Socialism: An economic system where major industries are owned by workers rather than private businesses.
- Darwinism: The theory of the evolution of species.
Reasons Why Britain Led the Industrial Revolution
- Britain's coal reserves were significantly larger than those of other European powers.
- Its naval and trading power were substantial.
- The country had a strong individual freedom and capitalist spirit.
- A stable government was in place.
- A superior banking system and capital for investment existed.
Impact of the East India Company
- The East India Company was the largest British merchant trading company.
- The company played a crucial role in providing resources to fuel the British Industrial Revolution.
British Colonies and Resources
- British colonies supplied raw materials that were essential for industrial growth in Britain.
- These resources included sugar from Australia and the West Indies, wool from Australia and New Zealand, cotton and tea from India, rubber from Malaya, gold from Australia and South Africa, coffee from Jamaica and Africa, wheat from Australia and Canada, and timber from Canada.
- The expression "The sun never sets on the British Empire" reflects the vast extent of British colonies around the world, contributing to the empire's global dominance.
Developments in Agriculture
- The Agricultural Revolution, encompassing changes in farming practices in Britain from the mid-1600s, was driven by the need to produce more food for a growing population.
- The Agricultural Revolution resulted in a 30% increase in farmland over 100 years, transforming agriculture into a business and transitioning land use from grazing pastures to efficient fields.
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The Enclosures:
- The British Parliament passed over 4000 Enclosure Acts during the Agricultural Revolution.
- These acts transferred common land to private landowners.
- The process led to the displacement of tenant farmers.
- Many poor people were forced to leave their land, contributing to the growth of the industrial working class and migration abroad.
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Crop Rotations:
- Charles Townshend introduced the "four-field system" in 1730.
- This system involved crop rotation, keeping the soil rich in nutrients and eliminating the need for fallow fields, allowing for continuous harvesting.
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Improved Farm Machinery and Methods:
- Improvements in farm machinery during the 1800s led to increased efficiency and profits.
- Fertilizers were widely used.
- Agriculturalist Robert Bakewell developed the New Leicester sheep and cattle, resulting in stronger, larger, and better-quality animals.
Developments in Transport
- The Industrial Revolution transformed Britain's transport system.
- Merchants and industrialists demanded faster and cheaper methods for transporting coal, shipping products, and traveling within cities.
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New Inventions:
- Steam Locomotives: Richard Trevithick built the first steam locomotive in 1801, running on tramway rails. George Stephenson invented "Stephenson's Rocket" in 1829, leading to more advanced designs and higher speeds.
- Steamships: Robert Fulton developed the first commercial steamship in 1807. Over the next century, steamships underwent significant improvements, replacing sailing ships as the primary method of ocean transport.
- Internal Combustion Engine: The steam engine, used in factories, trains, and ships, was too large for smaller businesses. In 1859, Belgian engineer Etienne Lenoir developed an internal combustion engine, which became the foundation for modern cars and engines. German engineers Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach experimented with gasoline, leading to the development of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. As the internal combustion engine became more powerful and reliable, cars became increasingly common. However, cars were initially very expensive for ordinary people. In 1908, Henry Ford introduced the affordable Ford Model T.
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Other Transport Improvements and Innovations:
- As new modes of transport became available, the demand for improved roads, bridges, canals, and railway lines grew rapidly.
- Improved Roads and Bridges: John Wilkinson, Matthew Boulton, Josiah Wedgwood, and Abraham Darby contributed to the growth of turnpike trusts in the early 1800s, resulting in better roads and reduced travel times. Abraham Darby's Iron Bridge, built in 1779, became a landmark structure.
Social Impacts of the Industrial Revolution
- Before 1750, Britain's rigid class system determined how people lived and worked.
- The Industrial Revolution introduced the middle class, resulting from rapid technological and societal changes.
- This shift, however, also led to a widening gap between the wealthy industrialists and the impoverished workers.
- Pre-Industrial Social Hierarchy: The aristocracy, holding privileged lands and political influence, dominated the social hierarchy in Britain before the Industrial Revolution. This group included those of royal blood (dukes, earls, lords, and barons).
- The Rise of the Middle Class: The middle class, including factory owners, doctors, and other professionals, emerged during the Industrial Revolution.
- The Working Class: The industrial working class faced harsh living conditions in slums, characterized by poor sanitation, accidents, and inadequate housing. This resulted in widespread crime and social unrest.
- Urbanization: Urban areas grew rapidly during the Industrial Revolution. New technologies were applied in construction, including workers' housing. Well-planned, drained, and uncluttered urban settlements replaced slums. Public transport allowed workers to live farther from their workplaces, leading to the development of suburbs. The first part of London's underground railway network opened in 1863, connecting suburban trains to the city center. By the 1870s, the ability to construct skyscrapers facilitated denser retail and office spaces in city centers, where land was more expensive. Improved street lighting transformed the urban atmosphere at night, encouraging evening leisure activities as people felt safer.
Definition of Urbanization
- Urbanization refers to the increase in the proportion of people living in towns and cities.
Migration to Cities
- People migrated from rural areas to cities during the Industrial Revolution in search of employment opportunities.
- Increased unemployment in agriculture also contributed to this shift.
Challenges of Family Life
- Factory work often involved long hours and dangerous conditions, making family life difficult.
- Source 5 highlights the challenges faced by industrial workers, describing cramped, unsanitary, and overcrowded living conditions. This included "comfortless, filthy houses" with inadequate shelter, poor furnishings, and a foul atmosphere.
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Description
This quiz covers the key aspects of the Industrial Revolution, which took place from the late 18th to early 19th century. Explore significant technological advancements, the shift to machine-made production, and the emergence of the middle class. Test your knowledge on the impact of these changes on society and the economy.
