British Industrial Revolution

Question 1

Compare cloth production from 1750 to 1850?

Answer 1

• 1750 – agricultural workers created a couple metres of cloth a week
• 1850 – huge steam-powered machines in factories produced thousands of metres of better-quality cloth in a day

Question 2

By 1850 how much of the British population lived in urban areas, and how was the population affected by industrialisation?

Answer 2

• By 1850 majority Brits lived in urban areas
• Population grew significantly at rapid rate
• Population became wealthier overall

Question 3

What social changes did the economic changes which were a result of the agricultural revolution and industrialisation cause?

Answer 3

• A middle class formed and grew
• An industrial urban workforce emerged

Question 4

What political changes did the economic changes which were a result of the agricultural revolution and industrialisation cause?

Answer 4

• Aristocracy was no longer able to dominate parliament and government (because economic changes created a new middle class which, as they became richer, began to have more power and demand more influence over government policy, and often voted for reforms that favoured democracy and representation).

Question 5

Why is the industrial revolution sometimes debated as to whether or not it should be called a revolution at all?

Answer 5

• There was no dramatic shift overnight, all these significant changes occurred gradually over time

Question 6

What were the pre-existing conditions in Britain that made industrialisation possible?

Answer 6

• Reformed agricultural system capable of supporting a GROWING, URBAN population (a population which was healthy, strong, and willing to be mobile). Overseas empire also provided crops.
• Economically – country’s banking system and currency stable, capital available and willingness to invest in new commercial ventures (investment normal and popular). Increasingly wealthy population provided customer base for manufactured items.
• Ample supply of natural resources – coal and cotton supply supplemented by colonisation (overseas empire).
• Geographical advantage – ports, navigable reivers, canals, climate (damp and mild) provided favourable weather conditions for the development of textiles
• Politically – stable government and stable social structure that made aristocrats more willing to invest in commerce and industry

Question 7

What was the agricultural situation in Britain before 1750?

Answer 7

• Agricultural output had increased
• A variety of new farming techniques had been developed
• There was a shift towards bigger farm units
  All these changes led to a gradual change in attitude towards agriculture – was viewed more commercially with entrepreneurial attitude than before (emphasis was subsistence).

Question 8

What three key effects did agricultural revolution have socially/

Answer 8

• Food security
• Agricultural output increased so diet improved – healthier population, supported growing urban population, reduced infant mortality
• Enough food to support overall growing population, not only urban

Question 9

What factors played a major part in increasing both the quality and quantity of agricultural output?

Answer 9

• The enclosure movement and the growth of larger farming units
• Improved soil fertility
• Crop rotation
• Selective livestock breeding
• Better cereal cultivation: wheat/corn, barley, oats and rye
• The spread of scientific knowledge of farming