UNIT 3.

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

1. THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION OF EUROPE

Between 1750 and 1870 there were two revolutions in Europe: French and
Industrial revolutions.
❖ In Great Britain, economic and technological advances causes the
development of a more efficient system — industrial revolution
❖ Industrialisation spread through Europe.
❖ The consequences of the revolutions produced the end of traditional
states.
❖ The art represented economic and social changes.

2. THE CAUSES OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

It originated in Great Britain in the 1750s and this process continued into the
19th century. The technological advances transformed the economy — more
importance of industry

In Great Britain , a unique combination of factors bring about the Industrial

Revolution.

CAUSES
- Population growth
During the 18th century, living conditions improved in Europe like advances in
nutrition, medicine and hygiene.
The demand for food and other goods increased, which improved agricultural
and industrial production. It also provided a larger work-force.

-Agricultural improvements
During the 18th century, the enclosure of agricultural land increased –
agricultural production
The new machines and techniques like crop rotation and fertilisers.
The demand of food and raw materials produced an industrial revolution.

-Increased trade
The dominance of Great Britain of maritime trade routes led to the rapid
expansion of transatlantic commerce.
Domestic trade increased:
- demand of food
- improve transport system
- absence of internal duties
More profits = improve industrialisation

-Technological progress
New machines = more factories
-quickly and cheaply
-consumers have benefit
James Watt (1763-1775) – reliable steam engine
It revolutionised many sectors : mining, agriculture, transport…

-Financial support from agriculture and trade

In Great Britain, agriculture and commercial activities provided capital that
was invested in industry , so with this money, they pay the wages of workings,
machines…

-Favourable political and social structure

The parliamentary monarchy of Great Britain allowed that bourgeoisie to
participate in the government and proposed new political ideas like free
producity.

3. KEY ELEMENTS OF INDUSTRIALISATION

-The textile industry

Spinning and weaving machines = produce cotton, so prices low
Every worker responsible for — machines = + efficient

-Iron and steel production

iron + steel – foundries = qualities of fuel
more heat = blast furnaces
Besember converter = more steel

-Tranport
There were road and water transport
Steam locomotive – 1804
Steamship - 1807
public railway - 1825

4. INDUSTRIALISATION IN EUROPE

During the 19th century, it spread from Great Britain to France, Belgium and
Germany.
This took place because:
❖ abundant reserves of iron and coal
❖ growing population that demanded more goods
❖ well-developed railway networks to facilitate transport

4.1. Industrialisation in Spain

It took place later and it was a process than in other countries.
❖ Spanish coal deposits were – poor quality
 ❖ Less technological advances
❖ Great Britain invested in the Spanish railways and mining industry, so it
did little to promote industrial development in Spain.
More important in Spain : the cotton industry and the metallurgical industry.

5. ECONOMIC LIBERALISM AND INDUSTRIAL CAPITALISM

The 18thr century was marked by two new phenomena:

-Economic liberalism
-Industrial capitalism

Economic liberalism
It’s s the theory that freedom of production and free trade are essential
conditions for economic growth and development to take place. —-- Adan
Smith

❖ Manufacturers should be free to produce the goods that they wanted.

❖ Free competition between businesses – better equality and lower prices
❖ Merchants import and export goods.

Industrial capitalism
It’s a system that puts the ideas of economic liberalism into practice. Under
commercial capitalism, trade – an important source of profits.
Under industrial capitalism, industrial productivity – most profitable economic
activity.

6. A CLASS- BASED SOCIETY

Its origins were for political and economic changes that taken place during
the revolutions.

The French revolution, enjoyed privileges by the clergy and the nobility were
abolished. This change produced a collapse, because in the Industrial
Revolution Increased the importance of the wealthy bourgeoisie.
Also, it appeared a new class —-- working class

6.1. The class-based society

❖ It divide in 3 groups
❖ The social class is determined by the work, income…
❖ Society was open
❖ Equal under the law
❖ There were great economic inequalities

6.2. The characteristics of the social classes

-The upper class: high levels of wealth, property…
❖ The nobility: earn high rents from their lands
❖ Bourgeoisie capitals: bankers, business … madre substantial profits
from their businesses

-The middle class: intermediate level of wealth, property…

❖ Civil servants provided services to other members of society.
❖ Small merchants and artisans who owned their own shops.
❖ Small farmers who warked their own land.

-The working class: bad conditions

❖ Industrial working class that have a low wage.
❖ Poor tenant farmers and agricultural laborer

6.3. Life in the industry city

During the 19th century, the urban population increased than in rural areas.
In 1800-1850 created 2 cities: Manchester and Birmingham.

❖ Urban development: urban infrastructure was modernise like railway,

train stations… There was more pollution and urban noise.
❖ Urban expansion: cities gre beyond their historical center and this
permitted traffic.
❖ New residential areas: new neighborhoods for the middle class and the
working class.

7. WORKING CLASS POLITICS

Industrial capitalism became more established and the differences between

economic and social conditions of the bourgeoisie and proletariat increased .

The industrial working conditions were:

They were very dangerous and unhealthy.

❖ Machinery was unprotected and accidents were very common.

❖ A typical working day was 14 to 16 hours. Young children's work
increased the family income.
❖ Employed dismiss or fine workers without restrictions.
❖ Workers didn’t have the right to protest.
❖ There was no social insurance or benefits to help workers in cases of
illness.

7.1. The origins of working - politics

Harsh working onditions led to protest against factory owners. They demands
that they wanted better conditions and increased thor profits.
In this case, he government banned worker’s associations.

❖ 1811 – Luddites emerged (banned the technological machines)

❖ 1830– 1st trade union (demanded improved working conditions and
better wages)
❖ 1838– Chartist movement ( universal manhood suffrage)

7. 2. Left - wings ideologies

-Marxism
❖ Class struggle : the oppressed proletariat organize itself and fight its
capitals oppressor.
❖ The dictatorship of the proletariat: redistribute wealth equally among
all members of society.
❖ Communism: everyone are equal

-Anarchism
❖ Individual freedom: they didn’t want the authority that limited their
freedom.
❖ Communes: all decisions would be taken by popular assemblies
❖ Direct action: violent attacks to defend their interests.