Chapter 16: Industrial Revolution Flashcards
Historical Impact
- Created a new modernization for the 19th Century.
- Growth of urban centers and population.
- New working class, or proletariat.
- New middle class, or bourgeoisie.
- Changed family dynamic, especially women and children.
- Improved standard of living in Europe.
British Leadership… Why?
- Enclosure movement: Consolidated land allowed for less small farmers, thus creating cheap labor.
- Agricultural revolution: Less farmers could now feed more people. The use of crop rotation, new crops, new inventions (such as Tull’s seed drill) allowed for better and more efficient farming.
- Population Explosion: Britain now had more and better food, and medical advancements that allowed for growing populations.
- Commercial Revolution: Allowed for greater investment in capital, and Britain had a highly developed banking system.
- Enlightenment: allowed for the transfer of scientific ideas, and British society encouraged inventors, science, and entrepreneurs.
New Inventions
The demand for cotton cloth was growing rapidly. New inventions included…
- Spinning Jenny (James Hargreaves)
- Cotton Gin (Eli Whitney)
- Water power
- Power loom
- The Mule
- Flying Shuttle
The Steam Engine
Invented by Watt. Quickly replaced water power in factories, and steam engines played a major role in boosting the iron industry.
Railroad and Its Effects
Steam power allowed people to build railroads and trains. Britain had miles and miles of railroad tracks, which reduced the cost of shipping freight, stimulated industrial growth, created local and national markets, and encouraged leisure travel.
The Great Exhibition
Held in Britain in 1851 to celebrate Britain’s undoubted dominance in technology and economy. Featured many of the inventions used in the Industrial Revolution.
19th Century Working Conditions
- The factory exposed people to dangerous machines and deadly diseases.
- Long hours (14 per day).
- Demand for labor involved women and children to enter the workforce and factory environment.
- No health insurance for workers.
Urbanization in the 19th Century
The Industrial Revolution turned many small towns into crowded cities. Many workers lived in unsanitary, dark slums that were incredibly prone to diseases.
Classical Economic Theory
- Adam Smith’s laissez faire.
- Invisible hand theory.
- No government intervention. Government’s role should be strictly limited to protecting private property, enforcing laws and contracts, and national defense.
Thomas Malthus
Believed that population would always inevitably outstrip food production. Thus, famine and misery was inevitable.
David Ricardo
Advocated the “iron law of wages,” which states that labor is a commodity (factor markets), and wages are set by the laws of supply and demand. As people had more kids, the supply of labor increased, and thus the wage decreased.
Iron Law of Wages stated that there was pretty much no chance for a better future for the working class – strong support for anti-labor unions and workers rights.
Luddites
Led by Ludd, the Luddites broke into factories and destroyed machines. The government then passed a law stating the destruction of machines was a capital offense. Workers then realized labor unions was the only way to receive better rights.
Early Labor Unions
Parliament passed the Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800, which was repealed due to pressure from the working class. The working class and labor unions soon gained full legal rights and status, such as the right to strike.
Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800
Passed by Parliament, stating that workers had no rights to organize and try to improve their conditions.
Socialism
Community should own all property and human labor, as well as distribute it evenly.
