THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION!
Overview
The Industrial Revolution, which took place from the 18th to the 19th century, was a period of great change when rural and agricultural societies in Europe and America became more industrial and urban. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, manufacturing was often done in people's homes, using hand tools and basic machines. With the revolution, manufacturing shifted from hand and home production to mass production in factories with specially powered machines. New industries developed rapidly as a result of a number of new inventions and the way in which things were produced. The way in which people lived and worked also changed rapidly as a result of these developments. The Industrial Revolution marked a major turning point in world history and continues to have a significant impact on our lives today.
How It Began
The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain during a time when Britain was the most powerful country in the world. From Britain, the Industrial Revolution gradually spread throughout Europe and to the United States. In America, it all started with "industrial spying". The British wanted to keep their industrialization a secret, so they prohibited anyone who had worked in a factory from leaving the country. America, however, offered grants of money to anyone who could build the machines operated in England's factories. Samuel Slater, who had worked in an cotton factory in England disguised himself and came to America in 1789. Once here, he reconstructed a cotton-spinning machine from memory and then built a factory of his own. He is considered to be the founder of the Industrial Revolution in America.
Industries Impacted
The three major industries that were most affected by the Industrial Revolution were textiles, coal mining and transportation.
Prior to the Industrial Revolution textiles were produced at home. Many people made clothing from wool and the wool had to be sorted, cleaned and dyed. The wool was then carded and combed and spun into thread which was woven into cloth. The problem with this sort of production was that it was very labor intensive and costly. The solution was to use machinery, which was faster and cheaper to produce textile products in mass. Some of the machines used in the textile industry were the spinning jenny, water frame, spinning mule, power loom and cotton gin. As a result of these new methods of production, the factory system and assembly-line approach to manufacturing were developed. It became possible to make enormous amounts of fabric in less time and for less money. This brought about huge profits for businesses and was good for the economy.
Coal mining also played an extremely important role in the Industrial Revolution. As an expanding population demanded more and better products, coal began to replace wood in the manufacturing process. Coal was needed to make steel, the predominant building material of the time and to operate steam engines. The use of these on a large scale meant that coal mining had to take place at a faster rate. While different methods of mining coal were used throughout the world, all used "manpower" for the movement of coal. Prior to industrialization, coal mining was not only a slow and dirty process but also a very dangerous job. Miners had to crawl through pitch black tunnels looking for coal. The coal was moved along horizontal tunnels by the basketful and hauled up vertical shafts to the surface. During the revolution, improvements in coal mining came in the form of improved tunnel ventilation, improved underground transportation using carts on rail, the use of gunpowder to blast away at the coal seams, and improved tunnel lighting through the use of safety lamps. Coal mining today continues to be a hazardous job, although modern machinery and safety equipment have made the industry more efficient and safe.
And last but not least was the effect of the Industrial Revolution on the transportation industry. The growth of the Industrial Revolution depended on the ability to transport raw materials and finished products over long distances. There were three main types of transportation that increased during the Industrial Revolution: waterways, roads and railroads. During this time period, transportation by water was the cheapest way to move heavy products, such as coal and iron, across long distances. Canals were widened and deepened to allow more boats to pass, and the invention of the steam powered engine allowed steamboats to carry raw materials across the Atlantic Ocean. Roads were improved immensely during this time period and turnpikes were created for easier transportation. Eventually steam locomotives were invented and railway transportation allowed goods to be moved more efficiently.
Major Inventions
There were many inventions that helped build America and without these machines America would not be the country it is today. One of the first inventions was the steam engine invented by James Watt in 1775. My favorite was the cotton gin invented by Eli Whitney in 1793. This machine automated the separation of cotton seeds from the cotton fiber and eliminated the need to do it by hand. The telegraph was invented in 1836 by Samuel F. B. Morse. Other inventions included the sewing machine invented by Elias Howe in 1844, the telephone invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 and the phonograph and incandescent lightbulb invented by Thomas Edison in 1877 and 1879. The first airplane was invented by the Wright Brothers in 1903. And, of course, Henry Ford invented the Model T Ford in 1908. Without all these inventions I can't even imagine what America would be like today.
Significance
It is almost impossible to imagine what the world would be like if the Industrial Revolution had never happened. Electric lights would go out. Automobiles and airplanes would vanish. Telephones, radios and televisions would disappear. We probably wouldn't be one of the most successful countries in the world. The significance of the Industrial Revolution was both good and bad. The good thing is that it changed America drastically from people working primarily on farms and at home to working in factories and forming industries. This led to increased manufacturing of products and an improved economy. The bad thing about industrialization is that employers took advantage of women and children and forced them to work too hard. They worked 14 hours a day and earned only 2 dollars a week! What I am trying to say is that the Industrial Revolution helped America become the amazing country it is today, but many people had to sacrifice in the process. While looking through this website I would like you to think about how the Industrial Revolution changed America and how important it was for this country.