Industrial revolution Flashcards
(14 cards)
What is the background to the industrial revolution?
the development of more efficient sources of energy and durable metals.
Industrial revolution in Europe period
between 1750 and 1850 AD. Old phase-1750-1850AD, new phase-1850 to present day
Industrial revolution in US
happened after the American Civil War of 1861 to 1865.
Russia
1890
Belgium
1870
France
1825
Germany
1840
The Industrial revolution in Europe was characterised by?
- The use of machines to replace human and animal labour.
- The use of steam power as a new source of energy to replace water, wind and animal power.
- Increased exploitation and use of coal, iron and steel. Iron and steel were stronger than gold and were used in the construction of houses, home appliances and machines
- The rise of the factory system in towns instead of cottage industries in homes.
- The development of better forms of transport including the use of railways, roads and water.
- Improved living standard and an increase in the human population who required more manufactured goods.
- The production of goods on a large scale. Machines worked faster than human labour.
- Development of science and the application of scientific knowledge in production.
- The development of trade as manufactured goods were sold locally and abroad.
- The rise of modern capitalism that provided enough wealth which was then invested back into industry.
- The growth of trade union movements to cater for the rights of industrial workers.
what were the factors that facilitated the industrialization of Britain?
- Britain had accumulated a lot of wealth from her trade with other countries and her colonies in America and in Africa. Capital from this sector was invested in industry.
- She enjoyed a period of political unit, peace and stability that favoured industrial activities.
- Britain was militarily stronger, especially her navy and was therefore able to protect her merchants from foreign competition by using her navy to guard her trade routes.
- Having gone through the Agrarian Revolution, Britain was lucky to have raw materials. Furthermore, being a leading trading nation, she acquired other raw materials, e.g. cotton, cocoa, sugar, copra and palm oil from her colonies in America, India and Africa
- The existence of mineral resources such as coal and iron was an important factor. Coal provided the energy required while iron was used in the manufacture of machinery. Steam power was an important source of energy.
- A good banking and insurance system boosted industrial growth in Britain. Banks such as the Bank of England were already giving credit facilities. Insurance firms offered security against losses or accidents in industry
- With the Agrarian Revolution, Britain’s population had increased tremendously. In addition, the enclosure movement made many landless people move to towns to look for work in the industries. With time, Britain had skilled human labour for her industries.
. 8The country’s large population provided a domestic market for the manufactured goods. She also exported her products to European countries and her colonies in America, India and Africa. - Britain’s policy of free trade promoted industrialization. She had no internal custom barriers which would have negatively affected the process of industrial growth.
- The existence of good road and railway transport encouraged industrialization by improving transportation of raw materials to the factories and manufactured goods to the market.
- The existence of cottage industries also facilitated industrial take-off in Britain. Goods were first produced in small quantities by the cottage industry but were later produced in great quantities.
- Britain had acquired new skills in science and technology. For example, the invention of the steam engine and electricity stimulated industrial growth. The government further supported industrial activities through scientific research
- Industrialization in Britain enjoyed government support and goodwill. Government policies ensured all industrial objectives were achieved.
What caused the delay of industrial revolution in continental europe?
- Political instability and upheavals, especially in Germany, France, and Italy which hindered economic progress.
- Feudal economic systems, where land was owned by elites. Peasants worked on the land but had low purchasing power and could not invest in industrial ventures.
- Raw materials produced through their traditional farming methods were insufficient to support large-scale industrialisation.
- Poor transport infrastructure limiting trade and distribution.
- Lack of an entrepreneurial class and scientific innovators compared to Britain.
Factors that favoured the industrial revolution in continental europe
1.Political stability. Feudalism was abolished. Germany and Italy were united and Napoleonic rule came to an end in France.
2.Having gone through the Agrarian Revolution, the European countries had raw materials for their industries. Other resources such as iron ore and coal were already available. They acquired more raw materials through external trade and from their colonies.
3. The high population in these countries provided both skilled and unskilled labour required by industries.
4. As the rich traders invested in industry; there was adequate capital to enable the industries expand. Furthermore, Britain gave loans to other countries such as Belgium.
5. The existence of banking and insurance services boosted the growth of industries. Banks extended loans or credit facilities to the industrialists.
6. Improvement in transport, e.g. better road, railway and water transport encouraged industrialization. Industrial workers, raw materials and manufactured goods could be easily transported.
7.There existed a domestic and an external market for manufactured goods. The high European population consumed most of the goods locally. The surplus was then sold in international markets abroad.
8. European governments supported economic ventures such as industry that were aimed at enhancing economic growth. The French and German governments built railway and gave tax concessions and subsidies to encourage industrialization. Governments further encouraged industrial education and research.
9. New skills in science and technology also facilitated industrial growth. European countries sent their people to Britain to acquire new ideas in science and technology which they used to improve their industries. For example, English technicians were invited to Belgium and Germany.
10.Countries in continental Europe had varied sources of energy such as coal, steam power-and electricity. These sources of energy enhanced industrial growth.
economic effects of industrial revolution In Europe
Development of machinery. Machines replaced human labour, hence production in agriculture increased.
Large scale production of a wide range of goods. New methods of farming, such as the use of fertilizers and new crop breeds were developed.
Local and international trade developed during the industrial revolution. Manufactured goods were sold locally while others were exported to America. Asia and Aica served as sources of raw materials.
The Industrial Revolution boosted the transport and communication systems. These included roads, railway network ‘and canals that linked different markets. They facilitated the movement of labour, raw materials and manufactured goods to their destinations.
Urbanization in Europe was as a result of industrialization. As most people migrated from the rural areas to seek jobs in factories, the areas they migrated to developed into towns.
The Industrial Revolution enabled European nations to amass a lot of wealth. British national income trebled between 1700 and 1815 and increased thirty fold between 1815 and 1939.
European economies became diversified as a result of industrial growth. This led to job specialization, ‘e.g. traders, bankers, mechanics, and agriculturalists.
With the Industrial Revolution, job opportunities were created. People migrated to towns to seek employment in the factories. However, as labour became mechanized, unemployment became a serious problem.
Exploitation of natural resources increased in Europe during the Industrial Revolution. Iron, coal and steel production increased. The development of new sources of energy such as electricity and solar energy was also prompted by revolution.
As demand for agricultural raw materials increased, machines and modern methods of farming were used to boost production of farm products. Scientific breakthroughs further enhanced the production of goods.
The poor working and living conditions made government such as Britain to set up legislation that introduced in social reforms such as education, pension and insurance schemes. Workers too responded by forming trade unions, cooperative societies and’ socialist parties.
The trade unions assisted the workers in demanding for better working and living conditions from the employer. The cooperative societies ensured that business and profits were shared fairly among the producers and the consumers.
The Industrial Revolution promoted development in science and technology. There was increased utilization of knowledge in the production of goods as well as scientific inventions such as the invention of electricity.
Social effects of industrial revolution in eurpoe
The Industrial Revolution led to rural-urban migration. This in turn led to overcrowding in towns. With increased population industrial centres, slums developed as housing became inadequate. The population was growing faster than most governments could build proper housing. Many people ended up living in unsuitable conditions. For example, in 1840 in Liverpool, over 39000 people were living in cellars (underground rooms for storing coal).
As population grew, sanitation and refuse disposal became a major challenge. Most industrial centres had poor sanitation that led to outbreak of diseases such as cholera, typhoid and tuberculosis.
Pollution increased. Poisonous gases emitted by factories and industrial waste led to air, water and land pollution
As unemployment increased, living conditions became very hostile. The people began to suffer with some resorting’ to begging. Social evils such as prostitution, drug and, alcohol peddling became alternative means of earning a living. There was an increase in crimes such as burglaries and robberies. Other social evils such as drug and alcohol abuse also increased.
With industrial growth, the demand for services provided by hotels, post offices, banks and insurance companies increased.
The Industrial Revolution led to the rise/of social classes in Europe. The rich industrialists grew richer while the poor became poorer. The poor peasants were often exploited in farms and in factories. The living standards of the middle class were improved while that of the poor underclass declined.
The period was marked by severe gender inequality. Women and children who worked in factories were exploited. They worked for long hours (12, 15 or 18 hours), with low pay and under very poor conditions.
Political effects of industrial revolution in Europe
The scramble and the partition of Africa was facilitated by the Industrial Revolution. The colonies produced raw materials for industries in Europe and also acted as markets for goods processed in Europe. As a result, the colonial powers sought to have as many colonies as possible.
The Industrial Revolution gave rise to Marxism. Karl Marx (1818-1863) condemned capitalism because of its exploitative effects. He advocated for communal ownership of property through socialism
