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==The Industrial Revolution==

==The Industrial Revolution==

The Industrial Revolution transformed 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.  Regardless, the true industrial revolution began fully in 1760 in England.  Then, aided by the economic insights of Adam Smith, England’s economy continued to change and expand until 1840.

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.

A new form of literature 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, 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.

===Where, When and Why===

===Where, When and Why===

The industrial revolution began in England in the cotton textile industry, with new machines for spinning and weaving fabrics.  England obtained much of its cotton from the South in the United States, where it was picked and separated into fibers by slaves on plantations.  The process of separating the good cotton from sticky seeds was difficult and time consuming when done my hand.  When Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in America, production of cotton soared and England’s factories bought up as much as the South could produce.  England also imported cotton from Egypt and India, however; India is famous for its brightly colored fabrics and it exported colored cotton known as calico.  (The South overestimated England’s reliance on the South’s cotton when it made the decision to secede from the North in the Civil War; the South mistakenly thought that England would be economically forced to help the South.)

The industrial revolution began in England in the cotton textile industry, with new machines for spinning and weaving fabrics.  England obtained much cotton from the South in the United States, where it was picked and separated into fibers by slaves on plantations.  The process of separating the good cotton from sticky seeds was difficult and time consuming when done my hand.  When Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in America, production of cotton soared and England’s factories bought up as much as the South could produce.  England also imported cotton from Egypt and India; India is famous for its brightly colored fabrics and it exported colored cotton known as calico.  (The South overestimated England’s reliance on the South’s cotton when it made the decision to secede from the North in the Civil War; the South mistakenly thought that England would be economically forced to help the South, when actually England had other good sources of cotton.)

 

England and the United States built canals to connect waterways and transport goods, and in 1807 American Robert Fulton started the first commercial steamboat service. Macadam (smoothly paved) roads and turnpikes helped distribute newly manufactured goods.  In the early 1800s, the railroad also emerged as a powerful form of transportation.

England and the United States built canals to connect waterways and transport goods, and in 1807 American Robert Fulton started the first commercial steamboat service.  Macadam (smoothly paved) roads and turnpikes helped distribute newly manufactured goods.  In the early 1800s, the railroad emerged as a powerful form of transportation also.

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 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.

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.

In Egypt, modernization was attempted by 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 “reforms” resulted in a huge Egyptian debt to 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: technological and culture.  In technology, the industrial revolution began using iron and steel as basic resources and converted to 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 (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.

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 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.

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 respect 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 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.

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 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.

If you are a businessman or investor, then you love the industrial revolution because it enables you to make money without being a farmer, and gives you access to all sorts of goods and products that might not otherwise be available, such as computers.  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 commuting to work.

If you are a businessman or investor, then you love the industrial revolution because it enables you to make money without being a farmer, and gives you access to all sorts of goods and products that might not otherwise be available, such as computers.  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.

===The Effects===

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

Global effects of the industrial revolution included the growth of European nations in wealth and power and the increase of 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.  As aforementioned, 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 of 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.  As aforementioned, the middle class increased and more people became interested in politics, which led to reforms and new policies.

Initially there were many negative domestic effects of the industrial revolution.  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 greatly.

Initially there were many negative domestic effects of the industrial revolution.  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.

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 U.S., the Confederate states bragged that slaves were treated better than northern factory workers.   

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 U.S., 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 believed it was the responsibility of Christians, not the government, to care 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, found enormous popularity 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 believed it was the responsibility of Christians, not the government, to care 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, found enormous popularity 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.