5.3+Industrial+Revolution(s)

**The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain.**
There were many factors that led to the Industrial Revolution. The agricultural revolution with the advancements of farming techniques provided enough food to sustain everyone through all of the changes. Another origin was the good supply of capitol for investments. In addition, the raw materials, such as coal and iron ore, were very important in the manufacturing process, as was the markets and then ability to more cheaply produce products needed aboard.

Technological and new industrial organizations also helped the Industrial Revolution. James Hargreavel’s spinning jenny, Richard Arckwright’s water from spinning machine, Samuel Crompten’s combination of the two and Edmund Cartwright’s power loom increased the productivity of the cotton industry. James Watt’s invention of the steam engine created many new possibilities. The quality of iron was improving as well. Richard Trevthick’s steam engine locomotive and George Stephenson’s improvements on it radically changed the efficiency of transportation. In addition, Britain was changing from the cottage industry to factories. Along with this was the switch from skilled laborers to unskilled workers. It was no longer necessary for the workers to be skilled at their jobs, because now the jobs were easy and repetitious.

Britain showed off all of these improvements at the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London at the Crystal Palace.

**The Social Impact of the Industrial Revolution**
There was a population explosion in the 19th century. The growth in population was caused by two major trends. Overall death rates dropped because of a drop in deaths from famines, epidemics, and war. Famine and epidemic also declined in Europe. This also caused a decrease in death rates. Urbanization caused many people in the cities cram themselves into small areas. Sanitation was almost non-existent. The bad conditions of cities made morals decline. Edwin Chadwick stepped in to try to eliminate poverty and increase sanitation in cities. His efforts created a National Board of Health for England which instituted sanitary systems.

The industrial revolution enlarged two social classes. The new entrepreneurs created a larger middle class by investing in factories. Once the factories were built, they needed factory workers. Therefore the working class was enlarged. These workers had to suffer through many very trying conditions. Long hours, cramped spaces, dust, dirt, and unhealthy conditions were very common. The cramped conditions also made for deformed and crippled bodies. Children were a cheep source of labor and were treated terribly. The cruel treatment of workers needed to be brought to an end. The workers themselves formed unions and organized to try to change the industry. The government steped in and began to protect children by limiting the number of hours they worked. Women were then protected by government legislation and men were also added after a time.