The Industrial Revolution

Why Britain?• new farming methods • new crops• stock breeding

• more food = lower prices

• lower prices = extra money

• extra money = charter co. & joint stock co. = capital

• political stability• natural resources• strong navy & colonial markets

On the Continent

• Lagged behind Britain b/c of the Napoleonic Wars

• Bel., FR, & German states eventually industrialized

• primarily in mining & metallurgy

• combined new machinery w/ cottage industry

Early Inventions• Flying Shuttle

(c. 1733 – John Kay)

• Spinning Jenny

(c. 1750 – James Hargreave)

• Water Frame

(c. 1771 – R. Arkwright)

Textile MachinesNew Textile

MachinesCheap Goods

IncreasedConsumerism

Steam EngineIron Industry

Coal Industry

Transportation Industry:

RR’s & Steam Ships

Commuting

Goods to Market

Steam Engine

Railroads on the Continent – c.1850Railroads on the Continent – c.1850

RamificationsIndustrial Middle Class• landed aristocracy tied to manufacturers; investors• Reform Act of 1832

Industrial Working Class• Luddites• trade unions• Chartists

Urbanization• problems• Chadwick’s Poor Law com.

Factory Act of 1833

Thomas Malthus & David RicardoThomas Malthus & David RicardoThomas Malthus & David RicardoThomas Malthus & David Ricardo

Population Growth & “Iron Population Growth & “Iron Law of Wages”Law of Wages”

•When wages are high,When wages are high,workers have moreworkers have morechildren.children.

•More children create aMore children create alarge labor surplus thatlarge labor surplus thatdepresses wages.depresses wages.

Child Labor in the MinesChild Labor in the Mines

Child “hurriers”

Working Class Housing - ManchesterWorking Class Housing - Manchester