The Industrial Revolution1750-1914

What was the Industrial Revolution? great acceleration in rate of technological

innovation, leading to an enormously increased output of goods & services

new sources of energy a culture of innovation

widespread & almost obsessive belief that things could be endlessly improved

put W.Europe into position of global dominance only nations that industrialized had chance to

compete w/ W.Europe spread unevenly & is a continuing process

“developed”, “developing”, “undeveloped” nations

Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in Western Europe?

preceded by Scientific Revolution

numerous small, competitive states

governments supported merchant class govts needed revenue they provided encourage innovation & commerce

global contact w/culturally different people bring back foreign goods as stimulus▪ ex. Indian cotton cloth, Chinese porcelain

can draw on world’s natural resources

Why did it begin in Britain?

unplanned & unexpected, c1750

factors of production were ideal large labor force (unemployed farmers)▪ farmlands “enclosed” & agricultural innovations

infrastructure: road & canal networks geographic luck▪ coal & iron ore, protection from conquest stability

global empire provided natural resources

government pro-capitalist limited monarchy

Industrialization spreads from Britain in early 1800s

Britain

Germany, France, Belgium

USA

Industrial Society

JAMES WATT’S STEAM ENGINE

constant innovation

THE POWER LOOM

STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

THE STEAMBOAT

Rapid Economic Growth

1800 1 ton of coal 50, 000 miners

1850 30 tons 200, 000 miners

1880 300 million tons 500, 000 miners

1914 250 million tons 1, 200, 000 miners

Coal Mining Output & Laborers in Britain: 1800-1914

British Pig Iron Production: 1750-

1870British Cotton Textile Production:1800: 52,000,000 lbs. cotton used1850: 588,000,000 lbs cotton used

Rise of the Railroad: 1840-1900

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Changing Social Classes The Aristocracy

owned most farmland & dominated politics

rivaled by industrialized businessmen

many became settlers or administrators in overseas colonies

The Middle Class Self-made factory & mine owners, bankers,

merchants live aristocratic life central value = respectability

Changing Social Classes The Laboring Class

manual workers impacted most by new

urbanization▪ majority of British population in

cities▪ overcrowded, unsanitary,

periodic epidemics, tenement housing, inadequate water supply, few public services factory system:

workers produce manufactured goods in one place using machines for regular wage

long hours, low wages, monotonous labor, dangerous children & young women oftentimes used

Industrial Staffordshire, England

The Silent Highwayman, 1858

Stereotype of the Factory Owner

Challenging the New Social Order

Luddites movement for working

man’s vote women’s rights &

suffrage movement trade unions develop socialist & utopian

ideals form & spread challenge capitalist

society & social problems it developed

“Marxism”

Communism: Rethinking Industrial Society

Communism (“Marxism”) Karl Marx The Communist Manifesto, 1848▪ history is the story of class struggle▪ oppressor vs. oppressed▪ bourgeoisie vs. proletariat

▪ Marx’s observations: ▪ under capitalism, the industrial workers are exploited by their

bosses

▪ Goal of communism? ▪ Abolish capitalism & class system!

▪ How? ▪ Revolution of workers & redistribute wealth evenly▪ No private property; all is shared in the workers’ paradise!