THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Part A – Important people of the Industrial Revolution
Charles Townshend urged farmers to grow turnips which restored exhausted soil.
Jethro Tull invented a new mechanical device, the seed drill, to aid farmers. It deposited
seeds in rows rather than scattering them wastefully over the land.
Thomas Newcomen developed a steam engine powered by coal to pump water out of
mines.
James Watt improved on Newcomen’s engine and his engines became a key power source
of the Industrial Revolution.
Abraham Darby used coal to smelt iron, or separate iron from its ore. When he discovered
that coal gave off impurities that damaged iron, Darby found a way to remove the
impurities from coal. His experiments led him to produce better quality and less
expensive iron.
John Kay invented the flying shuttle and weavers were able to work much faster.
James Hargreaves produced the spinning jenny which spun many threads at the same
time.
Richard Arkwright invented the waterframe, which used water power to speed up
spinning still further.
THE POPULATION EXPLOSION
During the Industrial Revolution, Britain’s population went from 5 million in 1700 to
almost 9 million by 1800. Europe’s population in total rose from 120 million to 190 million
during the same period. The population increase was due to the decline of deaths due to
famine and diseases and not just more births. As well, people ate much better, and
women were healthier and had stronger babies. In the 1800s better hygiene and
sanitation, along with improved medical care, further slowed deaths from diseases.
WHY DID THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION BEGIN IN BRITAIN?
1. Resources: Britain had coal to power steam engines and iron to build the new
machines. It had a good labor supply since many people migrated to the cities after the
agricultural revolution and could work in the industries.
2. New Technology: Britain had lots of skilled mechanics who wanted to design machines
that were needed for industry as well as work in the factories.
3. Economic Conditions: The British economy was prosperous due to trade. Beginning
from the slave trade the business class had accumulated wealth to invest in shipping,
mining, railroads and factories. The population explosion meant that more goods were
needed.
4. Political and Social Conditions: Britain had a stable government that supported
economic growth. It built a strong navy to protect its empire and overseas trade.
Religious attitudes also played a role since many religious groups encouraged hard work.
As well, people focused on the here and now and not on the afterlife.
THE WORKING CLASS
Working hours were long and shifts lasted from 12 to 16 hours. The machines had no
safety devices so there were many injuries. The coal dust destroyed the lungs of miners
and textile workers who breathed the lint filled air. If the workers were sick, they lost
their jobs.
WOMEN AND CHILD LABOR
Women were easier to manage than men, they were good workers and factory owners
were able to pay them less. Life was difficult since they worked long hours and then went
home to feed and take care of their families.
Children worked in factories and mines. They had nimble fingers and changed spools in
textile mills. Others worked in mines. They worked to keep their families from starving.
Orphans were hired because factory owners made deals with local officials who were only
to happy to give them up. All workers became slaves to the machines.
THE NEW MIDDLE CLASS
A new middle class who valued hard work and the determination to get ahead emerged.
They were merchants, factory owners, inventors, skilled artisans etc…
BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS (Was the Industrial Revolution a “Blessing or a Curse”?)
1. Social Problems such as low pay and unemployment
2. Horrible living conditions (foul-smelling slums, crowded apartments, no running water
only community pumps, no sewage or sanitation system)
3. Cholera and other diseases
4. Laws passed to improve working conditions
5. Labor unions formed to bargain for better wages, hours, and working conditions
6. Working-class men gained right to vote
7. New factories opened because of the demand for goods providing work
8. Wages rose and working class people could buy a newspaper or visit a music hall
9. The cost of rail transport fell and people could travel