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==The Industrial Revolution==

==The Industrial Revolution==

In the 1700s England and France were already nations.  In England, in particular, there was a powerful “industrial revolution” that transformed its society from an agrarian economy (based mostly on farming) into an economy powered by manufacturing and industry.  England, which had the strongest economy in the world, was the first to undergo the industrial revolution, although some historians cite the iron industry in China under the Song dynasty and the textile industry in India as forerunners to the English Industrial Revolution.

In the 1700s Great Britain and France were already nation-states.  In England, in particular, there was a powerful “industrial revolution” that transformed its society from an agrarian economy (based mostly on farming) into an economy powered by manufacturing and industry.  Britain, which had the strongest economy in the world, was the first to undergo the industrial revolution, although some historians cite the iron industry in China under the Song dynasty and the textile industry in India as forerunners to the English Industrial Revolution.

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

The big Industrial Revolution began fully in 1760 in England. 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 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.

The United States, particularly in the North, industrialized its economy almost as quickly as England had, although the real manufacturing power of the United States did not emerge until after it resolved its internal conflicts with the Civil War.   

The United States, particularly in the North, industrialized its economy almost as quickly as England had, although the real manufacturing power of the United States did not emerge until after it resolved its internal conflicts with the Civil War.   

England attempted to hide and conceal the secrets of its industrial revolution from continental Europe, but the industrial revolution spread anyway.  The first European nation to follow England was Belgium in 1807, then France in 1848, and then Germany in 1870.  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 first European nation to follow England was Belgium in 1807, then France in 1848, and then Germany in 1870.  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 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.

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.  Increase 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, 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 concentrate 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 doing 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 benefited from “economies of scale,” which is when something can be doing 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 Britain 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.

[[Image:Luddite Leader.jpg|right|300px|Leader of the Luddites]]

[[Image:Luddite Leader.jpg|right|300px|Leader of the Luddites]]

Other countries lacked some of these factors of production, and it took decades or even a century to industrialize.  Historians claim that some countries, like Austria-Hungary and Spain, lacked the waterways needed by factories, or had too much hilly terrain.  But the real reason other countries did not industrialize as quickly as England and the United States is simple:  the other countries did not embrace free enterprise and the teachings of Adam Smith.  Industrialization depends on capitalism, free enterprise, and the benefits of competition.  In the United States, industrialization was enhanced by the structure of an entity known as the “corporation”, whereby investors provide capital without taking on risks any greater than the amount of their investment.

Other countries lacked some of these factors of production, and it took decades or even a century to industrialize.  Historians claim that some countries, like Austria-Hungary and Spain, lacked the waterways needed by factories, or had too much hilly terrain.  But the real reason other countries did not industrialize as quickly as Britain and the United States is simple:  the other countries did not embrace free enterprise.  Industrialization depends on capitalism, free enterprise, and the benefits of competition.  In the United States, industrialization was enhanced by the structure of an entity known as the “corporation”, whereby investors provide capital without taking on risks any greater than the amount of their investment.

Additional factors contributed to the Industrial Revolution.  Land declined as the major source of wealth, and more people could acquire different forms of wealth, such as cash, stocks, bonds or even intellectual property like books, music and paintings.  Man felt more confidence in controlling natural resources like oil and gas fields, and enjoyed exploiting nature for profit.  Political changes adapted to these social changes, and nations began to look to factories (which can make weapons) as the source of power.

Additional factors contributed to the Industrial Revolution.  Land declined as the major source of wealth, and more people could acquire different forms of wealth, such as cash, stocks, bonds or even intellectual property like books, music and paintings.  Man felt more confident in controlling natural resources like oil and gas fields, and enjoyed exploiting nature for profit.  Political changes adapted to these social changes, and nations began to look to factories (which can make weapons) as the source of power.

If you were a businessman or investor, then you loved the Industrial Revolution because it enabled you to make money without being a farmer, and gave you access to all sorts of goods and products that might not otherwise be available.  But some people, like Thomas Jefferson, felt that a farming lifestyle was important to the family unit and overall peace and well-being in society.  The Industrial Revolution did damage families and created a stressful lifestyle that exists today, such as many hours spent commuting to and from jobs each week.

If you were a businessman or investor, then you loved the Industrial Revolution because it enabled you to make money without being a farmer, and gave you access to all sorts of goods and products that might not otherwise be available.  But some people, like Thomas Jefferson, felt that a farming lifestyle was important to the family unit and overall peace and well-being in society.  The Industrial Revolution did damage families and created a stressful lifestyle that exists today, such as many hours spent commuting to and from jobs each week.