Economic developments Flashcards
Key Chronology
1780’s Mechanisation of spinning process in cotton industry established
1784 Henry Cort invented a new process for smelting iron
1789 Edward Cartwright invented the Power Loom
1798 Malthus’ Principle of Population published
1801 First offical Census of the population
When was rapid industrialisation generally accepted ?
around 1780
what did Historian Ronald Hartwell state about the industrial revolution
1760-1830 is regarded as the ‘most acceptable revolutionary period’ and that 1780 marks the beginning of a sharp upward production in industrial production
How much industrial growth was there in the 1780s
increased to 3 to 4 percent from the long term level of 2 percent which suggests the 1780s was a crucial turning point
what industries saw the most rapid improvements ?
coal
cotton
iron
What were the likely preconditions for economic growth ?
availability of capital development of trade access to raw materials improvements in agriculture political stability scientific and technological innovation within Britain the free movement of people and goods
what increased growth in trade ?
shipbuilding, exploration,discovery of new overseas markets and colonisation had all brought a growth in trade
what was the East India Company ?
the largest and most influential english trading company, formed in 1600. It enjoyed a trade monopoly in India and in the Far East
Why was an increasing population significant ?
larger work force available and also led to an increased demand for food, clothing, textiles at low prices, thus stimulating agricultural output.
when was the first population census ?
1801
why was this done ?
partly done to settle conflicting views about whether or not the population was growing, and partly, if it was increasing to address the anxiety about sustainability.
Who commented on the debate?
Dr Richard price
Thomas Malthus
Arthur Young
what did Dr Richard price say ?
argued that Britain was weak and that was causing a decline in the population
what did Thomas Malthus say ?
Believed population was growing, and that it would outstrip rate of production of food and cause massive social problems
What did Arthur Young say ?
saw the population was increasing but saw a healthy economy in the ‘flourishing state of our agriculture, our manufacturers, commerce and general wealth.
what was the result of the first official census ?
1801 had the population 10.9 million, but by 1812 had risen to 12.6 million
why was there an increase in birth rate and fall in death rate ?
agricultural improvements meant an increase in food production, better quality food and low prices, which in turn led to rising of living standards, better health,fewer infant deaths and increased longevity.
industrialisation created more jobs, and therefore young men could afford to live independently, marry and have children earlier.
What factors prompted a change in the cotton industry ?
increased amount of imported raw cotton; as population rose there an increasing demand for clothing and textiles.
technological innovations and the subsequent reorganisation of the the labour force helped revolutionise the industry.
name some of the important technological innovations
Arkwrights water frame in 1769 heralded the start of the factory system
Samuel Crompton’s ‘Spinning Mule’, a cross between the water frame and Hargreaves ‘Spinning Jenny’, produced exceptionally high quality yarn that was strong and fine.
what did the success of spinning mean for the weaving process ?
created a massive inbalance, left weaving in tatters and could not function effectively whilst this unbalance was in place
who changed that?
Edmund Cartwright creation of the ‘Power Loom’ which was operated by steam power. Industrialisation had entered a new phase, and by 1820 the cotton industry was fully mechanised and balance set between spinning and weaving.
how did demand for pig iron increase ?
68,000 tons 1788 to 250,000 tons 1804.
who was John Wilkinson ?
entrepreneurial iron master, build up large-scale iron works to meet the increasing demands of industrialisation
why was coal so important ??
Growth of cotton and iron depended on coal, coal replaced wood as a fuel for smelting iron and was mined in huge quantities. Coal became essential to the progress of industrialisation as it provided cheap fuel for any manufacturing process.
how was transport important in facilitating industrial growth?
construction of a network of canals able to help carry heavy and bulky goods more cheaply and easily than by road or river. Canals facilitated the process of industrialisation at its most crucial period.
negatives of canals
difficult and expensive to construct, could only follow limited routes, froze up in winter and were slow to operate.
who was James Watt
invented a steam engine with a separate condensor in collobaration with matthew boulton, Birmingham businessman. Revolutionised steam power. Later invention of the rotory motion 1781 allowed steam power to be used more effectively.
Where were watts steam engines used?
used extensively in mines, coal mines, ironworks, breweries, and distilleries and in the engineering of canals. Steam power completely altered the old patterns of life
What did historian C.P Hill say about steam power ?
‘extended the range of mans economic activities’
What was the condition of agriculture
By 1800 percentage had fallen to less than half the labor force, for the first time more people employed in industry than farming.
production levels in agriculture were rising one farmer producing enough to feed 2.5 people compared to 1.7 century earlier.
What was enclosure ?
the new system of dividing agricultural land into compact fields closed in by fences, hedges, or walls; it replaced the open-field system, where the land was divided into strips
