Industrial Revolution

in Great Britain

I. Contributing Factors

A. Produced more food in 18th century

1. Agriculture improved during Agricultural Revolution

1. Agriculture improved during Agricultural Revolution

2. New crops from North America meant more food for

people

Corn, vanilla beans,

noodles, sugar cane,

avocados, potatoes

(noodles & sugar not

from Americas)

B. Urbanization created larger cities1. created extra workers in the cities

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II. Reasons Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain

A. no civil strife in England

1. England is an island separated by water from

continental Europe

a. fewer wars with other countries

2. didn’t use

money,

resources,

or people

fighting war

B. England had stable government

1. established Constitutional Monarchy in 1689

2. Parliament passed laws to help people

C. LAISSEZ-FAIRE policies adopted by

Parliament

1. means “let it be”

2. government doesn’t control economy or

economic ideas

government keeps

hands off business

-

economy or

economic ideas

D. Larger middle class

1. people have more capital because of economic

policies

a. invest in machines and business because

pay less taxes

2. People become entrepreneurs

economics

Lemon aid stand

shut down

Entrepreneurs =

willing to invest

capital to make a

profit & risk losing

investment

E. Geography

1. Natural resources

a. coal used as energy source

b. iron ore used to make steel

2. many rivers to navigate on

a. Steam engine powered ships and improved

transportation

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F. England never restricted population from traveling

1. helped people to get more work

during different seasons

2. able to trade products with people in other towns

and cities

3. able to transport resources