The Advantages to the Industrial Revolution
By Billy McCarley, eHow Contributor
Economic Boom
The Industrial Revolution injected millions of dollars of revenue into the world's economy. Prior to the revolution,
families depended primarily on agriculture and craft trades for income. Poor farmers in Ireland, for example, survived
on no wages and depended on crops. However, during the revolution that Irish farmer was making nearly $4 per week.
British timber framers, who struggled most of the 18th century during a decline in building, found manufacturing jobs
creating steel products and doubled their wages. In America, poor immigrants found employment building railways for
westward expansion, jobs that supplied them with almost three times their previous wages.
Steam Power
Steam power was developed and used primarily for industrial production. However, scientists increased the use of steam
power to include trains and automobiles. This allowed faster transportation of soldiers and civilians, giving a tactical
advantage during war. Additionally, goods and products could be economically delivered to areas they otherwise would
have never reached. In addition, steam power helped fuel the industrial workplace: woodworking tools could be used at
a faster pace; metal lathes could be operated by fewer men; and large factories could now be heated during the brunt of
winter.
Agriculture
The Industrial Revolution caused major changes in agriculture. Prior to the revolution, agriculture was small and mostly
provided subsistence to only a few families. Most of the farmers had left for the city to earn higher wages, so farm
production was further reduced. However, the Industrial Revolution provided a twofold benefit for the farmer.
Machinery produced by the revolution proved to be innovative for the labor-strained farm. Steam-driven tractors took
the place of plows. Cultivation and harvesting could now be performed by one or two men, conveyors were installed
and operated to process crops more quickly and steam-powered shipment was now possible, allowing quicker transport
to markets.
1. Prove that the Industrial Revolution was a GOOD thing by providing a QUOTE from the article above.
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2. Prove that the Industrial Revolution was a GOOD thing by providing a SUMMARY of the article
above.________________________________________________________________________________
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3. Provide an analysis of the article by answer the following questions.
a. Who was the author? Who was the audience? ________________________________________
b. What website, magazine, or book published this article?
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c. What was the purpose of writing this article?
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d. Was the author biased in any way? How can you tell?
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The Industrial Revolution and Its Impact on Our Environment
http://eco-issues.com/TheIndustrialRevolutionandItsImpactonOurEnvironment.html
The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the 1700′s, and spread to the rest of the world,
beginning with the United States. The use of machinery and factories led to mass production, which
in turn led to the development of numerous environmental hazards. The effects on the environment
would only be seen clearly years later.
The use of factories and mass production has led to a depletion of certain natural resources, leaving
the environment permanently damaged. One example of this depletion is deforestation, which is the
clearing of forest trees for use in production. When the trees are cleared, the wildlife in the forest also
becomes uprooted.
The lack of trees is only compounded by the problem of carbon emissions. Whereas forests would
help emit oxygen and refresh the levels of healthy gases in the air, factories are emitting poisonous
emissions and eliminating the source of oxygen. The pollution that has resulted from factories
involves not only airborne emissions but land and water pollution as well. The primary issue
resulting from pollution and carbon emissions is that of global warming. As the temperature rises, the
glaciers are melting and oceans are rising. More animal species are becoming endangered or extinct as
a result of global warming.
While the Industrial Revolution was the cause of positive change for the industrial world, there is no
question that it has wreaked havoc on the environment. The depletion of natural resources, the
carbon emissions, pollution and human health problems that have resulted directly from the
Industrial Revolution’s accomplishments have only been disastrous for the world environment.
1. Prove that the Industrial Revolution was a BAD thing by providing a QUOTE from the article above.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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2. Prove that the Industrial Revolution was a BAD thing by providing a SUMMARY of the article
above.________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Provide an analysis of the article by answer the following questions.
a. Who was the author? Who was the audience? _________________________________
b. What website, magazine, or book published this article?
__________________________________________________________________________
c. What was the purpose of writing this article?
_________________________________________________________________________
d. Was the author biased in any way? How can you tell?
_________________________________________________________________________