Inventions & Innovations
What is the steam engine?
This device, invented by James Watt, revolutionized steam engines and contributed to the success of factories.
Who is Richard Arkwright?
This English businessman founded the first modern factory in the late 18th century and is known for his work in the textile industry.
What is the textile industry?
This industry was the first to industrialize, beginning with the mechanization of textile production.
what is the middle class?
This new class emerged in industrialized societies, consisting of business owners, professionals, and skilled workers.
What is England (Britain)?
The Industrial Revolution started in this country, which became the world's leading industrial power.
What is the cotton gin?
This machine, invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, revolutionized cotton production.
Who is Adam Smith?
Known as the "father of modern capitalism," this Scottish philosopher wrote The Wealth of Nations and influenced economic thought during the Industrial Revolution.
What is coal?
Factories were often powered by this source of energy, which replaced water and wind power in many industries.
What is capitalism?
This system of mass production reduced the cost of goods and allowed for greater access to consumer products.
What is the United States?
This country, with its vast population and natural resources, became a major industrial power by the late 19th century.
What is the assembly line?
This method of mass production, introduced by Henry Ford, used assembly lines to make products more efficiently.
Who is James Watt?
This British inventor improved the steam engine and helped power the Industrial Revolution.
What is the working class?
This social class grew dramatically during the Industrial Revolution, as many moved to urban areas to work in factories.
what is urbanization?
The Industrial Revolution led to a dramatic increase in this phenomenon, as people moved from rural areas to cities in search of work.
What is global trade?
The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on this global institution, which became much more interconnected and reliant on mass production.
What is the locomotive?
This invention by George Stephenson in 1814 made rail transport a viable alternative to horses and canals.
Who is Samuel Slater?
This entrepreneur’s creation of the first modern factory system revolutionized textile manufacturing and made him one of the wealthiest men of his time.
What are harsh working conditions?
Factory work was often dangerous and led to many workers, particularly children, facing these types of conditions.
What are factory jobs?
Child labor was common during the Industrial Revolution, and children were often employed in these types of jobs.
What is Africa?
$400: The global reach of industrialization led to the exploitation of this continent for its raw materials, such as rubber and oil.
Who is Edmund Cartwright?
This English inventor developed the power loom, which mechanized the process of weaving cloth.
Who is Charles Dickens?
This famous social reformer and writer from England critiqued the conditions of the industrial working class in his novel Hard Times
What are industrial cities?
The factory system led to the growth of these urban areas, where workers lived and worked close to factories.
What is labor unionism?
This reform movement, inspired by the Industrial Revolution, advocated for better working conditions, pay, and hours for workers.
What is South Asia (India)?
This region of the world became a major source of industrial labor and raw materials, especially in the textile industry, due to the expansion of European empires.