The Industrial Revolution

What is the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution was a period from the

18th-20th centuries where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic, and cultural conditions of the time.

Changes That Led to the Revolution

The most important of the changes that brought about the Industrial Revolution were:

1) the invention of machines to do the work of hand tools

2) the use of steam, and later of other kinds of power, in place of the muscles of human beings and animals

3) the adoption of mass production and the factory system

Where did it all begin?

The industrial revolution first began in Great Britain then subsequently spread throughout Europe and into the United States.

Many of the same resources that enabled the British to mechanize industries and develop large-scale factories were also plentiful in the United States:

-rushing rivers

-rich deposits of coal and iron ore

-unskilled immigrants eager to find work

Americans Eager for Change

Many Americans were frustrated with limits and restrictions on international trade. They were eager to begin manufacturing domestic goods as opposed to relying on other countries, especially Britain, for trade.

In order to establish a truly independent nation, America wanted to be self-sufficient from the start. America was ready to embrace new forms of manufacturing and production of goods for themselves.

Technological Development

There were several leading sectors of technological development throughout the industrial revolution:

1) Textiles 2) Metallurgy3) Mining4) Steam Power5) Chemicals6) Machine Tools7) Gas Lighting8) Glass Making9) Paper Making10)Agriculture11)Transportation

Change for the Better

Overall, the Industrial Revolution improved quality of life for most Americans in the following ways:

- Wealth (more jobs, steady salary, etc.)- Luxury goods (mass production=cheaper)- Health (medicine, diet, etc.)- Education (money to fund, more opportunity, etc.)- Western Expansion ( improvements in

transportation)