Industrial Revolution

1
Industrial Revolution

• The Transformation of Production

2
Traditional Economies

• Agriculture, often subsistence
• Low Productivity stagnant economy
• Power Human, animal, nature
• Manufacture artisanal, hand-made
• Peoples relationship to land determines status

3
Transition to a Modern Economy What must occur?

• Agriculture must produce more food with fewer
  workers, enough to feed cities this begins in
  early 18th century as new farming methods and
  land tenure increase production.
• Power sources of power independent of nature
  (wind, water) enhance production and diversify
  locations steam engine of 1760s provides that
  breakthrough.

4
Transition

• Technological innovation Scientific revolution
  provides context for experimentation and
  innovation.
• Financial institutions provide easy transfer of
  money and sources of credit banks, including
  national banks.
• Attitudes people have to value making money
  think about France, where nobles, no matter how
  hard up for cash, could NOT become businessmen
  English nobles did not hesitate to engage in
  business.

5
Transitions

• Labor Force for industry demographic revolution,
  which sparks a rapid population growth in Europe,
  coupled with the transition in agriculture,
  provides a labor force.
• Government has to support business and encourage
  development.

6
Industrialization

• Begins first in England in the 18th Century
• Steam engine used first in coal mines, then in
  textiles, then in railroads and other industries.
• First phase (through first half of 19th century)
  based on coal, iron, textiles, railroads.
• Great Britain dominated this first industrial
  revolution.

7
Textiles Changing Production

• Spinning was first part of production process
  mechanized spinning jenny could produce much
  more yarn in one day than many hand spinners.
• In 1790s, hand weavers in heavy demand because
  weaving not mechanized wages increased
  dramatically even as hand spinners lost jobs.

8
Textiles

• By 1790s, demand for raw cotton increased
  dramatically.
• Cotton production is very labor intensive demand
  leads to increased use of slaves in US and spread
  of land planted with cotton.
• Cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney in 1790s,
  streamlines and mechanizes cleaning raw cotton.
• Cotton production increases through the first
  half of the 19th century.

9
Textiles

• Increased production of raw cotton and of cotton
  yarn produces demand for mechanized weaving
  machines. These begin to be introduced in early
  19th century.
• Hand weavers resist Luddites destroy machines in
  some English factories.
• But by 1830s, cotton textile production is
  mechanized wool and linen production follow.

10
Textiles

• Note the pattern a first improvement in the
  production process (spinning, in this case)
  produces the need for additional changes and
  improvementscleaning raw cotton and weaving.
  Other industries follow that pattern.

11
Textiles

• Note also that those who industrialize first have
  an initial advantagethey produce more at a
  cheaper price. However, those who start later
  may have the advantage of buying new, more
  efficient equipment (e.g., a personal computer
  bought 20 years ago was VERY expensive and
  inefficient compared to todays models! The same
  is true in industry early machines were
  expensive and not as efficient as later ones!)

12
Impact of Industrialization on Workers

• Urbanization, but few or no services such as
  sanitation, plumbing, schools, churches, parks in
  working class areas.
• Drudgery and monotony of work in factories
  contrast with agricultural work which gave worker
  more freedom to control pace and timing.
• See Gaskells Mary Barton for descriptions of
  working class lives.

13
Socialism

• See Karl Marx document Workingmen of all
  countries, unite!
• Marx urged the workers (proletariat) to unite
  overthrow the capitalist bourgeoisie and
  establish a workers state, one in which private
  property was abolished and in which everyone
  contributed what she or he was able and received
  whatever he or she needed.