Changes

===The Effects of the Industrial Revolution===

===The Effects of the Industrial Revolution===

The effects of the Industrial Revolution included the growth of European nations in wealth and power and the increase in trade among nations.  Areas of the world participating in trade and industrialization grew closer together, and global interaction increased.  However, nations that resisted industrialization became increasingly isolated.  Colonization continued, with Japan joining Europe in the conquest of territories to obtain raw materials.  The middle class increased and more people became interested in politics, which led to reforms and new policies.

The effects of the Industrial Revolution included the growth of European nations in wealth and power and the increase in trade among nations.  Areas of the world participating in trade and industrialization grew closer together, and global interaction increased.  Nations that resisted industrialization became increasingly isolated.  Colonization continued, with Japan joining Europe in the conquest of territories to obtain raw materials.  The middle class increased and more people became interested in politics, which led to reforms and new policies.

Initially there were negative effects.  Poor working conditions existed for factory workers: factories were dirty and dangerous places to work and wages were low and hours were long.  But these initial problems among workers were lessened by the industrial reformation, by which quality and standards of living were greatly improved.  A wide range of products, which previously would have been impossible to attain, were now cheaply produced and available to the average citizen.  Real income — the actual purchasing power of money — greatly increased: people were able to buy much more with their money.  The middle class composed of shopkeepers, factory owners, civil servants and merchants grew immensely.

Initially there were negative effects.  Poor working conditions existed for factory workers: factories were dirty and dangerous places to work, wages were low, and hours were long.  But these initial problems among workers were lessened by the industrial reformation, by which quality and standards of living were greatly improved.  A wide range of products, which previously would have been impossible to attain, were now cheaply produced and available to the average citizen.  Real income — the actual purchasing power of money — greatly increased: people were able to buy much more with their money.  The middle class, which was composed of shopkeepers, factory owners, civil servants and merchants, grew immensely.

However, many other problems arose.  Child labor increased and many families lived in crowded “tenements”, or apartments, which were unsanitary and often burned down in fires.  Urbanization — or the development and movement of people to cities — increased so rapidly that slums arose, garbage and sewage (there were no sewers) filled the streets and epidemics spread quickly.  Authors such as Charles Dickens in England and Victor Hugo in France wrote about the negative effects of industrialization.  In the United States, the Confederate states bragged that slaves were treated better than northern factory workers.   

However, some problems arose.  Child labor increased and many families lived in crowded “tenements”, or apartments, which were unsanitary and sometimes tragically burned down in fires.  Urbanization — or the development and movement of people to cities — increased so rapidly that slums arose, garbage and sewage (there were no sewers) filled the streets, and epidemics spread quickly.  Air pollution from the factories was terrible in some areas, such as London.  Authors such as Charles Dickens in England and Victor Hugo in France wrote about the negative effects of industrialization.  In the United States, the Confederate states bragged that slaves were treated better than northern factory workers.   

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.

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.

== Post-Industrial Revolution ==

== Post-Industrial Revolution ==

After the Industrial Revolution, many European nations extended their power through “[[imperialism]]”, which means one nation trying to control or heavily influence other people in another land.  [[Imperialism]] makes the bigger nation feel more powerful and more influential.  It can also be very profitable for the imperialistic nation as it exploits the natural resources and labor of the other people.  But subjugated people began to resent rule by another nation, and imperialism became a huge problem worldwide.

After the Industrial Revolution, many European nations extended their power through “[[imperialism]]”, which means one nation trying to control or heavily influence other people in another land.  [[Imperialism]] makes the bigger nation feel more powerful and more influential.  It can also be very profitable for the imperialistic nation as it exploits the natural resources and labor of the other people.  But subjugated people began to resent rule by another nation, and imperialism became a huge problem worldwide.

At least the above is how imperialism is usually described.  There is another side to this coin.  Imperialism could also be described a powerful nation trying to make things better for an underdeveloped region, by building hospitals and churches and distributing food, the Bible, and ideas that promote success.  The British colonization of America was imperialistic, but not all bad.  In fact, many would say that the British colonies brought much that was good to America, and that we are still benefiting from it today.  We will discuss imperialism again in more detail later in this lecture.

That is how imperialism is usually described.  But there is a more supportive view.  Imperialism can be described as a powerful nation trying to make things better for an underdeveloped region, by building hospitals and churches and distributing food, the Bible, and ideas that promote success.  The British colonization of America was imperialistic, but not all bad.  In fact, many would say that the British colonies brought much that was good to America, and that we are still benefiting from it today.  We will discuss imperialism again in more detail later in this lecture.

Prior to the 1800s, strongly independent nations had not yet arisen in continental Europe (Europe other than Britain).  The Holy Roman Empire held much power until the Reformation in the 1500s, and even afterward.  The Hapsburg ruling family was a powerful ruling dynasty throughout Europe, especially in Austria where it ruled from 1278 to 1918.  This family served as Kings of the German territories for several centuries (until 1806), as Holy Roman Emperors, and also served as Kings of Croatia, Hungary, Portugal, Spain and Bohemia. They even installed the Emperor of Mexico from 1864 to 1867!

Prior to the 1800s, strongly independent nations had not yet arisen in continental Europe (Europe other than Britain).  The Holy Roman Empire held much power until the Reformation in the 1500s, and even afterward.  The Hapsburg ruling family was a powerful ruling dynasty throughout Europe, especially in Austria where it ruled from 1278 to 1918.  This family served as Kings of the German territories for several centuries (until 1806), as Holy Roman Emperors, and also served as Kings of Croatia, Hungary, Portugal, Spain and Bohemia. They even installed the Emperor of Mexico from 1864 to 1867!