Glossary
2nd Agricultural Revolution
A period of significant agricultural advancements that increased food production, supporting population growth and providing a labor force for industrialization.
Example:
Innovations like the seed drill and crop rotation during the 2nd Agricultural Revolution allowed farmers to produce more food with less labor, fueling urban growth.
Assembly Line
A manufacturing process where products are built sequentially, with each worker or station performing a specific, repetitive task to increase efficiency.
Example:
Henry Ford revolutionized car manufacturing with the assembly line, allowing the mass production of affordable automobiles like the Model T.
Colonialism
The practice of a country establishing and maintaining control over foreign territories, often by settling them and exploiting their resources, labor, and political systems.
Example:
British colonialism in India involved direct rule and the extraction of resources like cotton and spices, profoundly impacting Indian society and economy for centuries.
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, often by acquiring territories or establishing economic and political control over other nations.
Example:
European powers engaged in imperialism in Africa during the late 19th century, carving up the continent to gain access to its vast natural resources and markets.
Industrial Revolution
A period of rapid technological advancement and economic change, beginning in the late 18th century, characterized by the shift from manual labor to machine-based manufacturing.
Example:
The Industrial Revolution transformed textile production, moving it from small home workshops to large factories powered by steam engines.
Industrialization
The societal transformation from an agricultural economy to one based on machine manufacturing and mass production, leading to more complex societies and diversified economies.
Example:
The rapid industrialization of Japan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries transformed it into a major global economic power.
Interchangeable Parts
A manufacturing concept where components are standardized and produced identically, allowing any part to be used as a replacement for another without custom fitting.
Example:
Eli Whitney's development of interchangeable parts for muskets meant that a broken gun could be easily repaired by swapping out a faulty component, rather than needing a whole new weapon.
Mercantilism
An economic theory prevalent from the 16th to 18th centuries, where a nation's wealth is measured by its accumulation of precious metals, promoting exports and restricting imports, often through colonial exploitation.
Example:
Under mercantilism, Britain imposed strict trade regulations on its American colonies, forcing them to supply raw materials and buy finished goods exclusively from the mother country.
Population Growth
An increase in the number of individuals within a population, influenced by factors such as birth rates, immigration, and improved life expectancy.
Example:
Improved sanitation and increased food supplies during the Industrial Revolution contributed to significant population growth in urban centers, despite crowded conditions.
Rural to Urban Migration
The movement of people from countryside areas to cities, often driven by the search for factory jobs and economic opportunities during industrialization.
Example:
During the 19th century, many Irish families experienced rural to urban migration, leaving their farms to find work in the booming industrial cities of England.
Social Stratification
The hierarchical division of society into layers based on factors like wealth, power, and prestige, influencing opportunities and quality of life.
Example:
The rise of factory owners and a large industrial working class during industrialization led to increased social stratification in many European cities.