Glossary
Assembly Line
A manufacturing process in which parts are added to a product in a sequential manner as it moves from one workstation to another, maximizing efficiency.
Example:
Henry Ford famously used the assembly line to mass-produce automobiles, making cars more affordable for the average consumer.
Capitalism
An economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production, free markets, and the pursuit of profit.
Example:
The rise of capitalism during the Industrial Revolution encouraged entrepreneurs to invest in new technologies and factories, driving economic growth.
Cotton gin
An invention by Eli Whitney that efficiently separated cotton fibers from their seeds, significantly increasing cotton production.
Example:
The invention of the cotton gin dramatically boosted the demand for raw cotton, inadvertently strengthening the institution of slavery in the American South.
Crop rotation
An agricultural practice of growing different types of crops in the same area in sequenced seasons to improve soil health and fertility.
Example:
By implementing crop rotation, farmers could prevent soil exhaustion and increase food yields, supporting a larger population that could then move to cities for factory work.
Enclosure Act
Legislation in Britain that allowed landowners to fence off common lands, consolidating farms and often displacing rural populations.
Example:
The Enclosure Act forced many small farmers and landless peasants off their traditional lands, pushing them towards urban centers in search of work.
Enlightenment
An intellectual and philosophical movement that emphasized reason, individualism, and human rights, influencing ideas like private property.
Example:
The Enlightenment's emphasis on individual rights and economic freedom laid some of the philosophical groundwork for the free-market principles that fueled capitalism during the Industrial Revolution.
Factory System
A method of manufacturing that brought workers and machinery together in a centralized location, enabling mass production and specialization of labor.
Example:
The Factory System transformed work from a home-based craft to a disciplined, scheduled activity performed in large, often noisy buildings.
Imperialism
A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, use of military force, or other means, often to secure resources and markets.
Example:
Industrialized nations engaged in imperialism to acquire raw materials like rubber and cotton from colonies and to establish new markets for their manufactured goods.
Industrial Revolution
A period of significant technological, transportation, and manufacturing advancements, primarily in Britain, that shifted production from homes to factories.
Example:
The Industrial Revolution transformed sleepy agricultural villages into bustling industrial cities, forever changing the landscape of Europe.
Power loom
A mechanized loom powered by water or steam, which greatly sped up the weaving process and increased textile output.
Example:
The introduction of the power loom meant that a single worker could produce far more cloth than ever before, leading to cheaper textiles and the decline of handloom weavers.
Seed drill
A device that precisely plants seeds in the ground at specific depths and intervals, improving agricultural efficiency and yield.
Example:
Jethro Tull's seed drill revolutionized planting, ensuring more seeds germinated and reducing the amount of labor needed for sowing crops.
Specialization of Labor
A production method where workers focus on a single, specific task within a larger manufacturing process, increasing efficiency.
Example:
In a pin factory, instead of one person making an entire pin, one worker might draw the wire, another straighten it, and another sharpen the point, demonstrating specialization of labor.
Steam engine
A revolutionary engine that converted steam power into mechanical force, becoming a primary energy source for factories, trains, and ships.
Example:
James Watt's improved steam engine allowed factories to be built anywhere, not just near rivers, leading to widespread industrial growth.
Urbanization
The rapid growth of cities as people migrate from rural areas to urban centers, often driven by the availability of factory jobs.
Example:
Massive urbanization during the Industrial Revolution led to overcrowded tenements, poor sanitation, and the rapid spread of diseases in cities like London and Manchester.