5.1 I (Part 2)

Today, we discuss the rest of 5.1 I. We will see the development of new technologies and labor systems. We will also see the spread of the Industrial Revolution to other countries, not just to Britain. 

5.1 I (Part 2): Industrialization fundamentally changed how goods were produced.

    B. The development of machines, like the steam engine and internal combustion engine, made it possible to exploit new sources of energy in fossil fuels (coal and oil). These significantly increased energy available to human societies. 

       1) Steam engine: People came out of the home textile business and began to work in factories. This was because it was easier and more efficient. Industrial spies filled these factories and sent the secrets of their technology and organization to businessmen in Belgium, northern France, the US, and other places. The steam engine was first used in gold and silver mining, then textile production, finally in driving trains and steamboats. It was originally invented in China, then it was improved upon in 1765 by James Watt to make it practical, fuel efficient, and powerful. Then in 1814, George Stephenson used it to invent the locomotive. Later, in 1819, the first steam-powered ship crossed the Atlantic.

        2) Fossil fuels: The two fossil fuels, coal and oil, came from the earth and gave the workers stamina, precision, and confidence in their work. They were great sources of energy while the workers ran the machines. 

    C. The development of the factory system concentrated labor in a single location and led to an increasing degree of the specialization of labor.

       1) Factories were in cities, so people migrated to cities because they had new tech that was easy to work with. Specialization of labor occured within them. Factories were based on the production of specific goods, which led to further specialization of labor.

    D. As the new methods of industrial production became more common in parts of northwestern Europe, they spread to other parts of Europe and the United States, Russia, and Japan.

       1) The new methods developed by Europe became more common and spread to the US, Russia, and Japan. They would become competitors with Britain.

       2) The US: After the Civil War, the US began exploiting their natural resources, such as coal, ores, gold, and oil. The value of US industrial goods dramatically increased from $5 billion in 1880 to $13 billion in 1900. US growth relied on innovative individuals like Andrew Carnegie (iron and steel) and John Rockefeller (oil).

       3) Japan: Japan exported pottery, books, clocks, and other things. The samurai were underemployed in this time, so they experimented with things such as electricity. They even invented thermometers, which helped improve silkworm breeding. Their main motive for industrializing was that western ships were seeking trade with them. They did not want this, so they adopted steam engines and other tactics. Japan was also particularly motivated to industrialize to protect Japan in industrial prosperity and military strength. 

       4) Russia: Russia was extremely productive in steel and oil.

    E. The "second industrial revolution" led to new methods in the production of steel, chemicals, electricity, and precision machinery during the second half of the 19th century.

       1) Steel: Steel was used to make more than 10,000 locomotives and transport 2 billion people annually. 

       2) Chemicals: Chemicals could make chemical fertilizers which boosted crop yields.

       3) Electricity: Engineers such as Karl Benz and Armand Peugnot used electricity to make workable gasoline engines which resulted in automobiles. They became more widespread and available in 1880.

Tomorrow, we'll talk about 5.1 II. See you then!