Dive into the smoky depths of history’s fiery transformation – the Industrial Revolution. Buckle up your time machine as we journey through 20 riveting facts that’ll illuminate the machines, minds, and moments that forged the world we know today. From steam-powered dreams to the clang of progress, these Industrial Revolution insights will spin your gears and stoke your curiosity. Let’s embark on a whirlwind tour of innovation, innovation, and a dash of revolution!
1-5 Basic Facts About Industrial Revolution
1. Great Britain was the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. It transitioned from an agrarian society to specialization, where workers focused on specific tasks and exchanged products.
2. Britain’s vast colonial empire supplied raw materials sent to the UK, transformed into finished products, and then sold back to the colonies, creating a self-sustaining cycle.
3. Political stability was a key advantage Britain held during the Industrial Revolution, enabling effective organization for cost-effective production and distribution.
4. Factory workers during the Industrial Revolution, especially women, and children, faced harsh working conditions and low wages. Men earned around 20-30 shillings per week.
5. Women laborers received significantly lower pay—about a third less—compared to male workers, earning around seven shillings per week on average.
6-10 Shocking Facts About Industrial Revolution
6. It was even worse for youngsters, who received between two and four shillings per week.
7. Some children in the Industrial Revolution were so destitute that schools had to lend them shoes, which were stamped with warnings not to pawn them for food money.
8. Around half of the British factory workers during the 1800s were under 14 years old, and by 1870 in America, around 750,000 children under 15 were working in factories.
9. Most cities have poorer areas in the east, due to prevailing winds carrying smoke and odors that way during the industrial revolution.
10. The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool originated during the industrial revolution when Manchester built a canal to bypass Liverpool’s port fees for importing/exporting goods.
11-15 Surprising Facts About Industrial Revolution
11. The Industrial Revolution brought compulsory schooling to English children through the Factory Act of 1833, mandating two hours of daily education, a step towards public education as a government-provided service.
12. Tuberculosis (TB) was a prevalent cause of death during the British Industrial Revolution, claiming the lives of a third of the population due to poor sanitation, malnutrition, and close living conditions.
13. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, peasant farmers in rural areas had access to open fields where they could cultivate agriculture, breed livestock, and catch fish. However, the Government began privatizing farm land through a series of Acts passed by Parliament known as the Enclosure Acts. Peasant farmers lost access to a collective, open method of harvesting and production. Farmers were pushed into cities, where they became factory workers, while the wealthy and politically connected obtained private plots of fertile land.
14. The Luddites, led by the fictional character Ned Ludd, protested against industrialization by attacking soldiers, burning factories, and destroying machinery. They were met with government suppression, imprisonment, or execution.
15. There is a Russian version of Lord of the Rings based on the premise that the original LOTR is a “history written by the victors;” In reality, Mordor was on the verge of an industrial revolution, which posed a threat to Gandalf/the elves’ war-mongering and imperialistic faction.
16-20 Interesting Facts About Industrial Revolution
16. Faster transportation was a benefit of the Industrial Revolution, reducing travel time significantly; by 1880, the journey from London to Manchester took four hours compared to four days in 1700.
17. The Smoke Nuisance Abatement Act of 1853 addressed smoke pollution’s impact on vegetation and air quality, empowering inspectors to work with police to reduce pollution from steam vessels and furnaces.
18. The Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 aimed to suppress worker organizing by imposing prison sentences on those conspiring for better wages, hours, or conditions. These acts were later repealed in 1824.
19. Human rights abuses were prevalent during the Industrial Revolution, allowing authorities to place homeless children into forced apprenticeships and labor.
20. Industrialization led to improved and cheaper alcohol production, serving as one of its byproducts.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading about 20 Important Industrial Revolution Facts
In case you’re interested in reading other articles:
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30 Surprising American Revolution Facts That Will Blow Your Mind
