Industrialization and Demographic Change in Great Britain

Classified in Geography

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1. Industrialisation

1 industrialisation: The technological, economic, and social changes that took place from the mid-18th century in Europe. Its innovations transformed the traditional agricultural economy into an economy driven by industry and trade.

2. Demographic Revolution: Rates and Effects

2 demographic rev: Death rate: 1700: 34, 1900: 21 — decreased. Birth rate: 1700: 35, 1900: 35 — stayed the same. Life expectancy: 1700: 35, 1900: 47 — increased. Population increased because of the decrease in the death rate.

3. Key Factors That Led to Industrialization in Great Britain

3 key factors that led industrialization in Great Britain

  • New mentality: technical and scientific innovation; economic liberalism (Adam Smith): minimal state intervention in the economy.
  • Demographic Revolution: population growth, advances in hygiene and medicine, reduction of the death rate, better nutrition.
  • Colonial empire: access to raw materials, markets, and cheap labour.

Advantages in Great Britain

  • Political system: Parliamentary monarchy — the bourgeoisie had representation in Parliament.
  • Domestic market: well-connected by good transport networks.
  • Raw materials: large supplies of key raw materials.

Agricultural revolution: expansion of livestock farming; mechanisation and new crops; new farming methods and techniques; Enclosure Acts: common lands became privately owned. Peasants were displaced and went to the cities to look for jobs in industries.

4. Industrial Revolutions: Energy and Technology

4 1st ind rev. from 1770: coal, steam, railway.

2nd 1870: oil, electricity, cars and planes, assembly lines.

3rd 1945: nuclear power and renewable energies, electronics, computers.

4th 1990: internet, genetics, AI.

5. First Industrial Revolution: Sectors and Energy

5 1st ind rev Britain, mid-18th century onwards: steam engine; textile, cotton; iron and steel; agricultural tools, machinery, railway and ships; mining. The textile and iron and steel industries used coal as the primary energy source.

6. Compare Production of Goods

6 Compare production of goods

  • Place: Factories (large spaces) / small spaces, workshops.
  • Number of workers (nº workers): High / low (5–10).
  • Machinery: machines used constantly / few machines.
  • Earnings: fixed salaries / depending on benefit.
  • Productive process: division of labour, quick / slow, one person performs the whole production process.
  • Schedule: Yes, fixed times and days / No, working times may vary.
  • Discipline: Yes, strict codes of discipline / No, people talk and sing while working.
  • Energy: Coal / People, fire, animals, etc.

7. Working Conditions (1805–1847)

7 Working conditions 1805–1847:

  1. Many children and teenagers worked in factories in unsafe conditions; accidents were common.
  2. Very long schedules (about 12 hours) with very little time for rest.

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