Industrial Revolutions

Why Europe?Why Britain?

Why did the IR begin when it did?

Revolutions of Industrialization

• “The economic imperialism of a single tiny island kingdom (England) is today [1928] keeping the world in chains. If an entire nation of 300 millions took to similar economic exploitation, it would strip the world bare like locusts…Industrialization on a mass scale will necessarily lead to passive or active exploitation of the villagers…The machines produces much too fast.” – Gandhi, 1928

• What is the view of Gandhi as revealed in the above quote? What does he warn about the future of the earth in relation to the production of Great Britain?

1750-1900 – known as the industrial Revolution

• Similarities between French Revolution and industrial Revolution =

• both created a GLOBAL change. • The Industrial Revolution was a HUGE change

to the way of life since the Agricultural Revolution.

• The Industrial Revolution puts Europe temporarily in the position of Global dominance

Why did the Industrial Revolution occur?

• 1. Increase in global population• 2. Need resources for energy = Global Energy

dilemma – change from wind, water, wood, to coal, oil, and natural gas

Industrial Revolution will lead to…

• 3. Impact on Environment = strip natural resources, increase in pollution, as a result causes diseases to spread = creates urbanization problems

• 4. Burst in technological advancements• 5. Industrial revolution will create “Anthropocene” –

the age of man. The view of man was “things could endlessly be improved.” - Does this statement still apply to today’s society?

• 6. Industrial revolution will drastically change mans impact on earth

Industrial Revolution will start with…

• 7. Change in the textile industry

Industrial Revolution will drastically impact…

• 8. Agriculture production• 9. Technology • 10. Economic growth• 11. Environment

Questions to ask:

• 1. Why Europe?• 2. Why GB?• 3. Why did it occur when it occurred?

Why Europe?

• Before Europe, other areas of the world had previously experience technological advances:– 1. Islamic World – 750-1100CE– 2. India – 9th Century– 3. China 700-1400 CE

• - Europe had no real economic advantage by 1750 – economic conditions were similar across Europe and Asia

• - Occurred in Europe as a result of highly competitive states and their need for revenue

Why Europe?

• - European governments gave incentives to explore new technologies

• - European governments were dependent on merchants – need goods to exchange to generate revenue – capitalist economies

Why Europe?

• -Europe was the hub of the largest and most diverse network of exchange

• -Europe was competing with Asian goods - Europe wanting to connect with Asia – wanted to compete with India and China – competition with India led to the textile industry in GB

• - Europe had an advantage in gaining world resources

• - Impact of commerce and cross-cultural exchange

Why Britain?

• 1. Most commercialized – agricultural revolution• 2. Wealth of Empire• 3. Global Commerce• 4. British Political life – religious toleration• 5. Scientific Revolution – contact between artisans and

craftsmen, scientists and entrepreneurs – integration of science and technology

• 6. The British Royal Society• 7. Geography – supply of coal and iron ore, protected

from invasions because of island location

Why did it occur when it occurred?

• - Invention of steam powered machines led to a massive increase in the number of factories, people begin to move from rural areas to cities in search of jobs and better wages