Dawn of the Industrial Age For thousands of years, most of human civilization lived

and worked in small farming villages. However, in the mid-1700’s, in Britain, a chain of

events occurred that would change civilization forever! It was a slow change that saw small hand tools give way

to large pieces of farming equipment. It was not limited to British farms…it soon transformed

people’s lives all over the world.

Industrial Revolution Farming in the middle

ages: Villages feed

themselves.

One of three fields left fallow to regain fertility.

Animals grazed in common pastures.

Disadvantages: Land use inefficient.

Farmers didn’t experiment with new farming methods.

As population grows, more food is needed.

Agricultural Revolution Enclosure Movement:

Wealthy landlords fenced in common pastures and experimented with new farming technology.

Villages lost common lands and peasants became poorer.

Crop rotation: Fields depleted of

nutrients by one crop replenished by planting different crops

Field not left inefficiently fallow.

Enclosure Movement in Britain…

Agricultural Revolution Other Advancements:

Seed drill planted seeds efficiently.

Results of the Agricultural Revolution: More food available Population increased

Cottage Industry and Early Capitalism A Merchant’s Role in the

Cottage Industry: Supplied materials – wool and

cotton- to cottages to be spun. Took supplies from spinning

cottage to weaving cottage to dyeing cottage to sell finished cloth.

Merchants sell product for more than material and labor cost.

Capitalism: An economic system based

on private ownership, free competition, and profit.

Cottage industry is an example of early capitalism.

New class of merchants would set up an enterprise- business organization.

Money earned by business leaders and peasants.

The Textile Industry and Factory System

Textile Industry Invented Cottage industry couldn’t keep

up with demand for textiles. Flying shuttle, spinning jenny,

water frame, improved spinning.

Power loom sped up weaving. Cotton gin separated seeds

from cotton.

Rise of the Factory New machines, often too big

for homes, were put in factories.

Factories located near power source: coal, iron, water.

Prices of mass-produced textiles were much lower than hand-produced items.

Britain’s textile industry increased enormously.

Factories became the work place for many peasants!

Steam Engine: Energy for the Industrial Revolution

The Need for Energy: Steam engine evolved in

response to the increasing need for power.

The effects of the steam engine: Steam power, used where

ever coal existed, increased textile production.

Improved mining which increased metals which in turn fueled other industries.

How the Steam Engine Works: Steam is forced from high to low

pressure. Water is heated in a container

that is sealed w/the exception of a valve.

It escapes the high pressure area of the container through the valve.

The steam is then forced upward, pushing a piston, which in turn produces power.

How the Steam Engine Works

http://www.animatedengines.com/locomotive.html

Iron and Coal: Energy for the Industrial Revolution The Need for Iron:

Farming tools, new factory machinery, railways, etc.

Iron smelting is a chemical process by which impurities are removed from compound iron ore.

During the smelting process, carbon and heat are applied to the iron ore.

This changes the metal’s atomic structure.

The resulting STEEL is both more flexible and more durable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6BIyQJZdTg

The Need for Coal: Coal was abundant in Britain.

Coal was required to operate

steam engines. Coal was a major export for

the country.

One note…Britain produced more iron than all other countries of the world combined!

Transportation The Need for Better

Transportation: Increased production also

increased the need to transport goods quickly and cheaply.

Pre-Industrial society used horses, mules, and dirt roads.

Inventions/Effects of Railroads: Railroads expanded rapidly

throughout Britain. Cheaper transportation

increased production and profits.

Railways fueled other industries: coal, steam engines, iron, steel and many manufactured products.

Why Britain Led the Industrial Revolution Geography:

Climate good for textile production.

Plenty of natural resources such as iron and coal.

Separation from the European continent kept them out of wars.

Government: Trade encouraged Promoted capitalism Helped build canals and

roads.

Why Britain Led the Industrial Revolution

Colonial Empire: Supplied raw material for

manufactured goods. Provided market for goods

Advantages of Industrializing first: No other countries

producing goods on a large scale.

Monopoly on technology