THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

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Modern History 112 Moncton High, Mr. Binet
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION A Brief Overview
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THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Unlike the French Revolution, which played out
over a relatively brief period of years, the
Industrial Revolution started in the 18th
century and continued throughout the 19th
century and, arguably, continues even today.
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THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
It was a sufficiently long process that some
historians refer to it as an evolution not a
revolution. Considering the time frame, this is a
fair characterization. While not rapid, the
profound changes wrought by industrialism were,
however, still revolutionary. They transformed
the world to such an extent that it is more
than reasonable to call this series of events a
revolution.
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THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
The Industrial Revolution brought major changes
in the way in which goods were produced and
distributed. It also created fundamental changes
in the way in which people lived and worked.
Cottage industry declined as the factory system
emerged. Families producing goods in their
homes for manufacturers who resold the goods
characterized cottage industry. The factory
system, on the other hand, gathered large numbers
of workers together in central places to work
together to produce goods for a manufacturer. In
the process, production based on the division of
labour became established.
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THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
The production of complete products by skilled
workers gave way to large industrial operations
in which workers performed small, repetitive
and easily-learned tasks. No single worker made
the whole product in this system. Rather, each
performed one task and passed the product on to
the next worker to complete their part of the
process. A finished product emerged only when all
workers had performed their tasks. Over time,
this division of labour transformed hand
production into the assembly line techniques and
mass production with which we are familiar today.
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THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Natural power gave way to generated power as
part of the Industrial Revolution. Before that
time, the most common forms of power were human
and animal power. People and animals carried or
pulled to make and transport goods orto plough
the fields. Their strength, or the numbers of
people and animals available, limited what could
be accomplished. To increase production, the
wind was sometimes used to supplement animal and
human power. Blades rotating in the breeze, for
example, powered gristmills for grinding grain
and ran pumps to drain wetlands for agricultural
purposes. Another common pre-industrial source of
power was running water, which was used to turn a
water wheel.