The Industrial Revolution launched in 1730 and ended in 1850, in Great Britain. Times were changing and becoming more modern with new ideas, lifestyles, points of view, and inventions. A new and different world started in this era, and it changed the lives of everyone in this time and after this time.My Goal
The goal I hope to accomplish is to learn more about the inventions and the lives of the people during this time period because I think its very interesting.
Essential Question
Why did the Industrial Revolution start in Great Britain? - Some main reasons why Great Britain was the first industrial nation was because they had an abundance of natural resources, like coal, iron and cotton. They also had good harbors, canals, rivers, railways and roads, which made it easier for trading goods. Also, the government was in control by the people who had an interest in the success of the industries. But, Britain, being a wealthy entrepreneurial class that had the financing and business skills to set up new industries didn't hurt either. All of these reasons combined is why Great Britain was the home of the Industrial Revolution, these advantages is what helped them be able to start it, and keep it going.
Three Important People of the Industrial Revolution
Richard Arkwright, the youngest of thirteen children to Sarah and Thomas Arkwright, definitely
made himself stand out among his sister's and brother's. Arkwright played a big role in the
Industrial Revolution by presenting us with water power, which was formerly known as the spinning frame. He was a leading
entrepreneur of the Revolution by becoming
the creator of the modern factory system,
which brought us into a more modern time.
George Stephenson is known as the Father of Railways because he invented the first public railways line to use steam locomotives. He's so well known, liked, and significant that the world's standard gauge is also known as "Stephenson's Gauge". He helped bring railways into the modern time.
James Watt achieved so much despite the death of his mother at age eighteen,
and his father's failing health at eighteen also.
Watt was a mechanical engineer from Scotland whose improvements to the Steam Engine were fundamental to the changes brought by the Industrial Revolution.
It improved the railways system, making it easier to transport goods made in factories.
United States Event
The Invention of the Cotton Gin, by Eli Whitney revolutionized the cotton making process. What used to be a labor intensive task was now made easier due to this invention. The cotton gin's popularity exploded in the South, it helped farmers complete more work in a faster time, but the downside of this invention is that it increased the number of slaves needed to pick cotton, therefore increasing the need for slavery. The modern process of cotton ginning continues across the Southern states where cotton is grown, but is now also located in the major cotton producing areas of the American Southwest and overseas. Although the machinery costs a lot more, it's similar to the old process of cotton ginning. |
| "You can have it in any color, so long as it's black." - Henry Ford |
Henry Ford's Model T was invented around the time of the British Industrial Revolution. It made such an impact on the lives of Americans. It created a new lifestyle of the people, and it opened a door into the modern world. Also, Ford's invention of the Assembly line improved the making of products in factories. The Model T marked the beginning of the motor age, it improved transportation and ideas of lifestyles, and some of these views we have today. Such as, back then if you had a car you were considered lucky, and now, if you have a certain type of car you are also considered lucky. It's because we still use car's today that Henry Ford's invention is important, they have a big impact on people's lives, and until the day that someone invents a hovercraft that middle class people can afford, they will always be used in our lives.
Spotlight On Public Health
Public health services were created by the government and were financed by taxation, with no charge to the user for the services. There was an increase in the public health department and the government hired public health inspectors to reinforce these laws. Through public health many premature deaths from epidemic diseases such as cholera, plague and many other infectious diseases were prevented. Life expectancy was now greatly improved and this enhanced the quality of life, because healthier people lead to happier people, which leads to a better world!Three things I have learned are that Britain started the Industrial Revolution because they had the resources to do so, this was a time of hardship (for the workers in factories) but also a time of luxury for the countries that could afford to Industrialize, and I also learned that Stephenson Gauge's is used because of his invention.
Two things I found interesting were that Eli Whitney didn't make a lot of money off of the cotton gin because farmers just copied his and made their own without paying a fee. Also, that Arkwright grew up being the youngest of thirteen children, with almost no formal education but still managed to shine in the spotlight.
One question I still have is that, was there any invention that was put out there that ended up failing horribly?
Standards
8.4.12.World History Standards
A. Evaluate the significance of individuals and groups who made major political and cultural contributions to world history since 1450.
B. Evaluate historical documents, material artifacts and historic sites important to world history since 1450.
C. Evaluate how continuity and change throughout history has impacted belief systems and religions, commerce and industry, innovations, settlement patterns, social organization, transportation and roles of women since 1450.
