Lesson 1: The Industrial Revolution Begins

Lesson 1.

1. When compared to other countries Britain had better comparative advantages than most of European countries.

In the southern part of the country, which is rich with the plains was a center of the country, where most of the cities were built. On the other side most of the mineral resources were located on the North. This redistribution led to Britain being the cradle of Industrial Revolution.

2. Britain had good connections and roads since the Middle Ages and the whole country was already unique market.  

Efficiency of transport was one of the main presumptions for the development of economy. Good roads and channels enabled this, but also oversea trade was an integral part, which needed to be strengthened. There were no obstacles for the Revolution to start.

Lesson 2.

1. New jobs and vocations led to rapid urbanization.

People rapidly started moving themselves from villages to cities. Many people wanted to work in Industry. Some cities totally flourished. In just fifty years Manchester enlarge its population five times. New cities were created because of the need to settle areas rich with minerals.

2. At the beginning the condition of the working class were not good, but people started unifying themselves to improve working conditions.

Rapid industrialization also meant hard labor conditions. People were working 12, 14, sometimes even 16 hours per day. It was impossible to work in those conditions so the labor unions started fighting for the rights of workers. In most of the cases this was successful and the conditions were improved.

Lesson 3.

1. The electricity was probably the most important invention of Second Industrial Revolution, which basically extended functions of people.

Cities which were electrified and the cities started "living" longer. For the example before the Revolution day lasted from dawn till dusk. It was impossible to function during the night. People would move themselves in houses, and it would look the city has died. Electricity literally illuminated the cities.

2. It totally changed means of transportation from chariot and horses to ships and cars.

Probably one of the greatest improvements of this era was transportation. From James Watt, through Stevenson and others means of transportation were changed and improved. It was much easier to communicate, to pass from one place to other and productivity was improved.

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