Industrial Revolution Causes.pdf - Cambridge College Secondary ...

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Oct 25­01:23 p.m.
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Between 1750 and 1850 Britain became an industrial country,
with over 50 per cent of its population living in large cities and over 40
per cent of the labour force working in factories. In contrast, the numbers
employed in farming steadily went downwards.
The changes shown in the diagram above are often called the Industrial
Revolution. This, however, is only a label we use to make what
happened easier to understand. Historians have said that the word
'revolutions is misleading, because it gives the impression of very rapid.
change. In fact, the changes were gradual and part of a process that had
been going on for a. long time. Another thing that historians have argued
about is the reason why Britain became a country of factories, towns
and industry. Some of the possible causes of the Industrial Revolution
are listed below.
A
Britain had large amounts of coal to power the steam engines and plenty of
iron ore to turn into iron.­
B
Britain had lots of individuals who, were prepared to risk their money in
starting up new factories. Richard Arkwright and Matthew Boulton are just
two examples.
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C
Britain was a peaceful country. After 1750 no wars were fought in Britain.
D
In 1776 Adam Smith wrote a book called 'The Wealth of Nations' in which he said that the
government should keep out of trade and industry. Smith said Britain would be better off if
people were left to get on without the government interfering. This policy, called laissez­faire
(meaning 'leave alone'), was followed by the government.
E
There were a growing number of banks in Britain. This meant that people could borrow money
to invest into industry.
F
Britain had colonies overseas. These provided British . factories with raw materials (such as
cotton). They were also markets for British factory­made goods.
G
British agriculture was becoming more efficient at this time, producing more food. People
working in factories could therefore be fed.
H
Changes in transport ­ roads were improved and canals built ­ at this time meant that industrial
goods could be moved about more easily.
I
There was a great interest in science and technology. Many new inventions were made (such as
the steam engine) which helped to mechanise the factories.
J
The population Britain grew rapidly between 1750 and 1850. This meant there was a much
bigger demand for
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Questions
Section A
I Make a list of the changes which took place in Britain between 1750 and 1850
2 Is the term the "Industrial Revolution" a good one? Explain your answer.
Section B
3 Rank the causes of the Industrial Revolution into what you think is their order of
importance. Explain why you chose this order.
4 Using the information in the boxes write a paragraph explaining why Britain had
on industrial Revolution.
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The "domestic System" ­ was what went before at the beginning of the revolution
­ Do not forget this was the 1st stage: people start specialising e,g, (for example)
farming sheep, buying wool, turning wool into clothe, selling clothe and making
clothes
We will copy
this note later
Oct 20­12:36 PM
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Oct 27­9:53 AM
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PEOPLE GET WORK & MORE MONEY
= INDUSTRY = REVOLUTION
& CHANGE
Link to Explanation of social & Economic issues (causes) ­
powerpoint
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Causes
The causes of the Industrial Revolution were complex and remain a topic for debate, with some historians seeing
the Revolution as an outgrowth of social and institutional changes wrought by the end of feudalism in Great
Britain after the English Civil War in the 17th century. As national border controls became more effective,
diseases spread less, therefore preventing the epidemics common in previous times. The percentage of children
who lived past infancy rose significantly as well, leading to a larger workforce.
The Enclosure movement and the British Agricultural Revolution made food production more efficient and less
labour­intensive, forcing the surplus population who could no longer find employment in agriculture into
cottage industry, such as weaving, and in the longer term into the cities and the newly­developed factories.
The colonial expansion of the 17th century with the accompanying development of international trade, creation of
financial markets and accumulation of capital are also cited as factors, as is the scientific revolution of the 17th
century.
Technological innovation was another important factor, in particular the new invention and development of the
steam engine (which later was developed by Fulton into a steam boat) during the 18th century.
The presence of a large domestic market should also be considered an important catalyst of the Industrial
Revolution, particularly explaining why it occurred in Britain. In other nations their were local conflicts (and
wars), such as in France , and the markets were split up by local regions, which often imposed tolls and tariffs on
goods traded between them.
http://schools­wikipedia.org/2006/wp/i/Industrial_Revolution.htm
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Go to
Domestic System Notes
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Attachments
Indust Rev Causes Extract.ppt