7.1 The Industrial Revolution

Economic and Technological Advancements

The Industrial Revolution was a period of rapid economic and technological change that began in the late 18th century and spread throughout Europe and North America. During this time, there was a shift from manual labor and craft production to machine-based manufacturing, and a corresponding increase in the productivity and output of goods. The Industrial Revolution was fueled by advances in technology, such as the steam engine and the power loom, as well as the development of new sources of energy, such as coal and steam power. The Industrial Revolution also led to significant social and economic changes, including the growth of cities, the expansion of trade, and the rise of the factory system.

New Technologies

New technologies, especially from the 2nd Agricultural Revolution, from the new availability of natural resources, fueled Industrialization. People were rural before the Industrial Revolution, but they migrated to cities for jobs in factories. These new urban jobs changed current social class structures and created new social stratification. Food supplies increased in cities and led to booming population growth. 

Production in factories was powered because of new technological developments. Ford Process was created for efficiency in factories by delegating specific jobs to specific workers (assembly line) for every product produced. Interchangeable parts mean that each part could be replaced without replacing the whole product.

Waterways, like rivers, especially in the UK, were near where factories were built originally after moving away from Cottage Industry Style factories.

Industrialization

Industrialization refers to the process of economic and social change that transforms a human group from a pre-industrial society into an industrial one. It is a part of a wider modernization process, where societies become more complex and move from a simple agricultural economy to a more diversified one. Industrialization involves the use of machinery, particularly steam-powered engines, to replace human or animal labor in the production of goods. It also involves the creation of a system of mass production, in which large quantities of standardized goods are produced efficiently and at low cost. Industrialization has played a significant role in the development of modern societies and has brought about many changes in the way people live and work.

Social Stratification

Social stratification refers to the way in which a society is divided into layers, or strata, based on factors such as wealth, income, power, and prestige. These layers are often ranked, with some strata being considered the higher status and others lower. Social stratification is a fundamental aspect of many societies, and it can take many different forms. Some societies have a rigid class system, in which a person's social status is largely determined by their family background and is difficult to change. Other societies have a more fluid system, in which an individual's social status can change over the course of their lifetime based on their own achievements and actions. Regardless of the specific form it takes, social stratification can have a significant impact on an individual's opportunities and quality of life.

Population Growth

Population growth refers to the increase in the number of people in a population. There are several factors that can contribute to population growth, including:

• Birth rate: The number of births in a population over a given period of time.
• Immigration: The movement of people into a population from other countries.
• Life expectancy: The average lifespan of people in a population.
• Fertility rate: The number of children that a woman is expected to have during her lifetime. Population growth can have both positive and negative impacts on a country or region. On the positive side, a growing population can lead to economic growth and development. On the negative side, a rapid increase in population can put strain on resources such as food, water, and housing, and can contribute to environmental problems such as pollution and deforestation.

Assembly Line

An assembly line is a production process in which a series of tasks are completed in a specific order to build a finished product. Each worker or machine is responsible for completing one specific task, and the finished product is assembled as it moves down the line. The assembly line was first introduced by Henry Ford in the early 20th century, and it revolutionized the way that products were manufactured by greatly increasing the speed and efficiency of the production process. Today, assembly lines are used in a wide variety of industries, including automotive, electronics, and food processing. One example of an assembly line is the production of automobiles. In an automotive assembly plant, there are many different tasks that need to be completed in order to build a car. These tasks are divided among different workers or machines, and the car is assembled as it moves down the line. For example, one worker might be responsible for installing the engine, while another worker installs the transmission. Another worker might install the interior of the car, while another worker installs the exterior body panels. As the car moves down the line, each worker or machine adds a specific component or performs a specific task, until the car is fully assembled and ready for shipment.

Interchangeable Parts

Interchangeable parts, also known as standardization or mass production, is a manufacturing process in which parts are designed and made to be interchangeable with other parts. This means that any part can be used in place of any other part, without the need for custom fitting or modification. Interchangeable parts are an important part of modern manufacturing because they allow for faster, more efficient production and repair. The concept of interchangeable parts was first developed in the early 19th century and was an important factor in the development of the assembly line, which revolutionized the way that products were made. Today, interchangeable parts are used in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics.

New Systems

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain mainly because of the abundance of coal. Liverpool and Manchester were the major early Industrial Cities in the UK. Also, the location makes it easy to import raw materials and export finished goods to and from France and other railroad countries in Northwestern Europe. Mercantilism helped England to get Raw Materials from colonies that other European powers did not have access to. This caused Imperialism and Colonialism to grow in other European Powers. 

Mercantilism

Mercantilism is an economic theory that holds that a country's wealth is directly tied to its supply of gold and silver, and that the government should take steps to increase exports and decrease imports in order to accumulate precious metals. This theory was popular in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and was based on the idea that a country's wealth could be measured by the amount of gold and silver it possessed. Governments at the time followed mercantilist policies by enacting protectionist trade policies, such as tariffs on imported goods, and subsidies for domestic industries. Mercantilism has largely been abandoned as an economic theory, as it is now recognized that wealth is not solely based on the possession of gold and silver, and that free trade can be beneficial for economic growth. One example of mercantilism in practice was the British policy of requiring American colonies to produce raw materials for export to Britain, and to purchase finished goods from Britain. The British government believed that this policy would increase Britain's wealth by promoting the export of British goods, and by preventing the colonies from becoming self-sufficient and competing with Britain in international trade. This policy was one of the factors that led to tensions between the American colonies and Britain, and ultimately to the American Revolution.

Imperialism

Imperialism is the policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force. This can involve the acquisition of colonies, the establishment of protectorates, or the use of military bases to project power abroad. Imperialism has played a significant role in the history of many countries, and has often been driven by economic, political, and cultural factors. Some critics of imperialism argue that it has led to the exploitation and abuse of colonized peoples and their resources, while others argue that it has brought economic development and cultural exchange. Imperialism continues to be a controversial topic, and the actions of imperial powers are often met with resistance and opposition from those who are affected by them. An example of imperialism might be a country with a powerful military invading and occupying a weaker country in order to gain control over its resources and territories. Another example might be a country using its economic and political influence to coerce other countries into adopting policies that are favorable to its own interests.

Colonialism

Colonialism refers to the policy or practice of a country seeking to extend or maintain its authority over other territories, often by establishing settlements and occupying the land. The colonies that are established are ruled by the colonial power, which exerts control over the colonized people and their resources. This can involve the use of military force, economic coercion, and cultural assimilation. Colonialism has a long and complicated history, and has had significant impacts on the cultures, economies, and political systems of both the colonizing countries and the colonized territories.

Industrialization happens because of the growth of large scale manufacturing economic activities in a region. It can usually lead to favoring commercial farming over subsistence. With the growth of coal manufacturing, water power was not as important in the location of factories as much as new raw materials (like coal). Coal powered most new factories as Industrialization diffused into NW Mainland Europe and the Americas, like in Ohio & Pennsylvania.

Watch this video here for more on industrialization.