Changes

The Industrial Revolution started in England around 1760.  Then, aided by the economic insights of Adam Smith, England’s economy continued to transform, grow and expand until 1840.

The Industrial Revolution started in England around 1760.  Then, aided by the economic insights of Adam Smith, England’s economy continued to transform, grow and expand until 1840.

A new form of literature also rose during this time, called "Realism".  These stories told the dark side of the Industrial Revolution: the overcrowded, filthy conditions in which many workers struggled.  Many of Charles Dickens' classics, such as ''David Copperfield'', belong to this genre of literature, portraying the plight of the poor in 19th century England.

A new form of literature also rose during this time, called "Realism".  These stories told the dark side of the Industrial Revolution: the overcrowded, filthy conditions in which workers struggled.  Many of Charles Dickens' classics, such as ''David Copperfield'', belong to this genre of literature, portraying the plight of the poor in 19th century England.

===Where, When and Why===

===Where, When and Why===

The industrial revolution spread from England to continental Europe, beginning with Belgium in the early 1800s and then France and Germany.  The industrial revolution did not reach eastern Europe until the early 1900s, and China and India did not undergo the conversion until the mid-1900s.

The industrial revolution spread from England to continental Europe, beginning with Belgium in the early 1800s and then France and Germany.  The industrial revolution did not reach eastern Europe until the early 1900s, and China and India did not undergo the conversion until the mid-1900s.

In Islamic Egypt, modernization was attempted by the Ottoman ruler Muhammad Ali Pasha (1769-1849) and his grandson Ismail.  Muhammad Ali Pasha forced farmers to leave their farms and work on commercial plantations he established to export cotton and other crops to Europe.  But in the end, his government-planned industrialization resulted in a large debt to Western European countries, especially England.  In Russia, industrialization was encouraged by the completion of the trans-Siberian railroad in 1904, connecting Russian to China and Japan.  Japan was the only Asian country to successfully industrialize.  Under Meiji rule, the government invited foreigners to teach industrialization principles.  Businesses were sponsored and controlled by the government and, when established, were then sold to private individuals.

In Islamic Egypt, modernization was attempted by the Ottoman ruler Muhammad Ali Pasha (1769-1849) and his grandson Ismail.  Muhammad Ali Pasha forced farmers to leave their farms and work on commercial plantations he established to export cotton and other crops to Europe.  But in the end, his government-planned industrialization resulted in a large debt to Western European countries, especially England.  In Russia, industrialization was encouraged by the completion of the trans-Siberian railroad in 1904, connecting Russian to China and Japan.  Japan was the only Asian country to industrialize successfully.  Under Meiji rule, the government invited foreigners to teach industrialization principles.  Businesses were sponsored and controlled by the government and, when established, were then sold to private individuals.

There were two key aspects to the Industrial Revolution: technology and culture.  In technology, the Industrial Revolution began using iron and steel as basic resources, and developed energy sources such as electricity, oil and the steam engine.  Transportation benefited from the steam engine (invented by James Watt in the 1770s) and later the car and airplane (invented by the Wright Brothers in 1903), while communication benefited from the telegraph (invented by Samuel Morse in 1837) and (later) the telephone (invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876) and the radio (invented in 1895).  New machines such as the power loom and spinning jenny enabled mass production, and factories arose to divide labor and permit specialization.  Increased application of science to industry helped enormously.

There were two key aspects to the Industrial Revolution: technology and culture.  In technology, the Industrial Revolution began using iron and steel as basic resources, and developed energy sources such as electricity, oil and the steam engine.  Transportation benefited from the steam engine (invented by James Watt in the 1770s) and later the car and then airplane (invented by the Wright Brothers in 1903), while communication benefited from the telegraph (invented by Samuel Morse in 1837) and (later) the telephone (invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876) and the radio (invented in 1895).  New machines such as the power loom and spinning jenny enabled mass production, and factories arose to divide labor and permit specialization.  Increased application of science to industry helped enormously.

Other factors also caused industrialization.  As farming techniques improved, each farm could obtain better yield or output from their land, and there was less of a need for so many farmers.  A few farmers benefited from “economies of scale,” which is when something can be done more efficiently on a larger scale, like when a large store like Wal-Mart provides cheaper goods than a small store can.  In the early 1700s, there was an “enclosure movement” whereby wealthy farmers bought land from small farmers, then benefited from economies of scale in farming huge tracts of land.  The enclosure movement led to improved crop production, such as the rotation of crops.  People began moving to cities, where they could more easily work in factories than on farmland.  In England, population growth caused former farmers or children of farmers to migrate from southeastern England to the northwest, where factories were being built.

Other factors also caused industrialization.  As farming techniques improved, each farm could obtain better yield or output from their land, and there was less of a need for so many farmers.  A few farmers took advantage of “economies of scale,” which is when something can be done more efficiently on a larger scale, like when a large store like Wal-Mart provides cheaper goods than a small store can.  In the early 1700s, there was an “enclosure movement” whereby wealthy farmers bought land from small farmers, then benefited from economies of scale in farming huge tracts of land.  The enclosure movement led to improved crop production, such as the rotation of crops.  People began moving to cities, where they could more easily work in factories than on farmland.  In England, population growth caused former farmers or children of farmers to migrate from southeastern England to the northwest, where factories were being built.

England, the land of free enterprise and Adam Smith, had the perfect economic climate for the Industrial Revolution.  England had all of the necessary “factors of production” (a term for the resources of an economy: land, labor, capital and entrepreneurship) to become an industrialized economy.  There was plenty of money or capital to invest in new factories.  There were many entrepreneurs hoping to profit from new businesses.  There was sufficient land and natural resources, with the colonies of England providing raw materials as needed.  And there was also adequate labor for the factories:  the former small farmers.  Most of all, there was a world of customers around the world wanting to buy the manufactured goods, and England’s merchant navy traded with the entire world.

England, the land of free enterprise and Adam Smith, had the perfect economic climate for the Industrial Revolution.  England had all of the necessary “factors of production” (a term for the resources of an economy: land, labor, capital and entrepreneurship) to become an industrialized economy.  There was plenty of money or capital to invest in new factories.  There were many entrepreneurs hoping to profit from new businesses.  There was sufficient land and natural resources, with the colonies of England providing raw materials as needed.  And there was also adequate labor for the factories:  the former small farmers.  Most of all, there was a world of customers around the world wanting to buy the manufactured goods, and England’s merchant navy traded with the entire world.

In response to many social problems, some insisted that government should control the economy.  Progressive taxation to redistribute wealth evenly among all citizens arose, and socialism became popular as a result of the Industrial Revolution.  But many others felt (and still feel) that churches and charity, not the government, care best for the poor.  The social problems of industrialization inspired Christians to take action, especially in America and England.   

In response to many social problems, some insisted that government should control the economy.  Progressive taxation to redistribute wealth evenly among all citizens arose, and socialism became popular as a result of the Industrial Revolution.  But many others felt (and still feel) that churches and charity, not the government, care best for the poor.  The social problems of industrialization inspired Christians to take action, especially in America and England.   

[[Charles Haddon Spurgeon|Charles Spurgeon]] was a minister who attracted huge crowds in London and taught that faith without works is dead.  He urged Christians to take action and help the poor.  He participated in the establishment of Stockwell Orphanage in England in 1867.  In Germany, the Inner Mission was established by Johann H. Wichern in 1848.  In 1863, the Red Cross society was founded in Switzerland by Jean Henri Dunant, and an American Red Cross was subsequently founded by Clara Barton.  In Bristol, England, George Mueller spent his life working to care for youth delinquents, orphans, and anyone poor and needy.  The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association), originally founded as a place for Bible study and prayer in England in 1844, became enormously popular and spread to America.  In the 1860s, William and Catherine Booth founded the Salvation Army to provide food, clothing and shelter to the poor and homeless and spread the Gospel.  Many of these Christian institutions continue to exist today.

[[Charles Haddon Spurgeon|Charles Spurgeon]] was a minister who attracted huge crowds in London and taught that faith should produce good works.  He urged Christians to take action and help the poor.  He participated in the establishment of Stockwell Orphanage in England in 1867.  In Germany, the Inner Mission was established by Johann H. Wichern in 1848.  In 1863, the Red Cross society was founded in Switzerland by Jean Henri Dunant, and an American Red Cross was subsequently founded by Clara Barton.  In Bristol, England, George Mueller spent his life working to care for youth delinquents, orphans, and anyone poor and needy.  The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association), originally founded as a place for Bible study and prayer in England in 1844, became enormously popular and spread to America.  In the 1860s, William and Catherine Booth founded the Salvation Army to provide food, clothing and shelter to the poor and homeless and spread the Gospel.  Many of these Christian institutions continue to exist today.

== Post-Industrial Revolution ==

== Post-Industrial Revolution ==

'''Otto von Bismarck provokes the Franco-Prussian War'''

'''Otto von Bismarck provokes the Franco-Prussian War'''

Otto von Bismarck, a convert to Christianity from atheism, was one of the brilliant political figures in all of history.  After wasting most of his youth, he eventually married and became quite religious.  He rose to power in one of the larger Germanic states, Prussia, prior to the formation of the nation of Germany.  Otto von Bismarck invented the concept of "realpolitik", an approach that emphasized practical politics rather than philosophy (this is discussed again below under "Germany").

Otto von Bismarck, a convert to Christianity from atheism, was one of the most brilliant political figures in all of history.  After wasting most of his youth, he eventually married and became quite religious.  He rose to power in one of the larger Germanic states, Prussia, prior to the formation of the nation of Germany.  Otto von Bismarck invented the concept of "realpolitik", an approach that emphasized practical politics rather than philosophy (this is discussed again below under "Germany").

An example of Bismarck's brilliant ruthlessness was how he enticed France to declare war on Prussia, such that France appeared to be the aggressor.  This caused other Germanic states to rush to the aid of Prussia.  Bismarck knew that he could defeat France and, because of the unifying effect of the war on the Germanic states, Bismarck could then establish a new nation of Germany.   

An example of Bismarck's brilliant ruthlessness was how he enticed France to declare war on Prussia, such that France appeared to be the aggressor.  This caused other Germanic states to rush to the aid of Prussia.  Bismarck knew that he could defeat France and, because of the unifying effect of the war on the Germanic states, Bismarck could then establish a new nation of Germany.   

Napoleon III fell for the bait, and the war began.  Prussia and its Germanic allies defeated Napoleon III in a mere six weeks (in 1871), and shipped Napoleon III off to exile in England.  Bismarck then formed the new nation of Germany and Bismarck because its first "Chancellor" (nicknamed the "Iron Chancellor").  Ever since, Germany has been the leading power in continental Europe, rather than France.

Napoleon III fell for the bait, and the war began.  Prussia and its Germanic allies defeated Napoleon III in a mere six weeks (in 1871), and shipped Napoleon III off to exile in England.  Bismarck then formed the new nation of Germany and Bismarck became its first "Chancellor" (nicknamed the "Iron Chancellor").  Ever since, Germany has been the leading power in continental Europe, rather than France.

The European nations grew bigger and stronger in the 1800s and early 1900s.  These industrialized nations (Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and also the United States and Japan) sought natural resources and raw materials for their factories and new markets to sell their finished goods.  In England and Germany, people who believed in Darwin’s theory of evolution beginning in the mid-to-late 1800s and early 1900s felt a racial superiority and sought conquest (survival-of-the-fittest) to force other races into submission.

The European nations grew bigger and stronger in the 1800s and early 1900s.  These industrialized nations (Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and also the United States and Japan) sought natural resources and raw materials for their factories and new markets to sell their finished goods.  In England and Germany, people who believed in Darwin’s theory of evolution beginning in the mid-to-late 1800s and early 1900s felt a racial superiority and sought conquest (survival-of-the-fittest) to force other races into submission.

The last of the English classical economists was John Stuart Mill (1806-1873).  Homeschooled in an atheistic way by his father, Mill supported laissez-faire but with social reforms like redistribution of wealth, shorter working days, and regulation of monopolies.  Today he would be called a “moderate” due to his support of some government controls over the economy.  Mill was ahead of his time in advocating the development of labor unions and farm cooperatives, and emancipation (voting) by women.   

The last of the English classical economists was John Stuart Mill (1806-1873).  Homeschooled in an atheistic way by his father, Mill supported laissez-faire but with social reforms like redistribution of wealth, shorter working days, and regulation of monopolies.  Today he would be called a “moderate” due to his support of some government controls over the economy.  Mill was ahead of his time in advocating the development of labor unions and farm cooperatives, and emancipation (voting) by women.   

Mill advocated utilitarianism, a concept previously proposed by the atheist Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832).  Utilitarianism means that government should do whatever maximizes overall “utility” (benefits minus costs).  If killing one innocent man saves ten other lives, then utilitarianism would favor it.  Under utilitarianism there is no Christian morality, and it is replaced by comparing benefits versus costs.  Under this view government should experiment on embryonic stem cells today if benefits are greater than costs.<ref>John Stuart Mill admitted that he was in love with a married woman, and that this influenced his departure from Christian morality.</ref>  In another book ''On Liberty'', Mill advocated that “the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised<ref>Note that the British spelling is "civilised", while the American spelling of the word is "civilized".</ref> community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others,” which is also contrary to most Christian views.

Mill advocated utilitarianism, a concept previously proposed by the atheist Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832).  Utilitarianism means that government should do whatever maximizes overall “utility” (benefits minus costs).  If killing one innocent man saves ten other lives, then utilitarianism would favor it.  Under utilitarianism there is no Christian morality, and it is replaced by comparing benefits versus costs.  Under this view government should experiment on embryonic stem cells today if benefits are greater than costs.<ref>John Stuart Mill admitted that he was in love with a woman who was married to another man, and that this influenced his departure from Christian morality.</ref>  In another book ''On Liberty'', Mill advocated that “the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised<ref>Note that the British spelling is "civilised", while the American spelling of the word is "civilized".</ref> community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others,” which is also contrary to most Christian views.

   

   

'''Socialism'''

'''Socialism'''