British Industrialization Flashcards
What were the key factors that led to the start of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?
Access to natural resources like coal and iron, a stable political environment, advancements in technology, a growing population, and an extensive trade network.
What were some major technological innovations of the Industrial Revolution?
The steam engine by James Watt, the spinning jenny by James Hargreaves, the water frame by Richard Arkwright, and the power loom by Edmund Cartwright.
How did the Industrial Revolution change labor and production methods?
It shifted production from handcraft to mechanized factory systems, led to the rise of factory towns, and changed labor conditions with longer working hours, child labor, and poor working environments.
What were the social impacts of the Industrial Revolution in Britain?
Urbanization, changes in family structures, emergence of new social classes (industrial middle class and urban working class), and the rise of social reform movements.
How did the Industrial Revolution affect Britain’s economy?
It led to significant economic growth, increased productivity, expansion of trade, and the development of financial institutions like banks and stock exchanges.
What were some significant social and labor reforms during the Industrial Revolution?
The Factory Acts regulating working conditions, the Mines Act of 1842 prohibiting women and children from working underground, and the establishment of trade unions.
