Final 8-10 page paper
Tysha625
Running head: A DRAFT OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND THE RISE OF CAPITALISM
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Nickflor Jean
Professors John Isenhour
Chamberlain University
HUMN303N-62360
8/19/2018
Running head: A DRAFT OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND THE RISE OF CAPITALISM
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Industrial Revolution and the Rise of Capitalism
Introduction
The Industrial Revolution, which took place in the 18th and 19th centuries was
possibly the vital change in the history of humankind. It led to a turning point in the
manufacturing sector. Most countries turned from agriculturally based to industrial based
and produced a variety of goods in industries. Manufacturing turned from craftsmanship
to commercialism and thus increased output while decreasing the costs of production and
thus increasing the supply of goods on the market. Counties were able to produce more
for the consumption of their people and even of the export markets. The mass production
that came as a result of industrialization led to capitalism which led to the promotion of
wealth distribution among people. It led to the migration of people from the rural areas to
the capital cities in search of industrial jobs in the manufacturing companies (Hartwell,
1971). The rise of industrial revolution led to many changes including housing,
technological advancements, social and cultural changes, use of new materials in
industries and the introduction of new machinery among others.
Industrial Revolution
Steam and Coal
Industrial development was slow during the 1700s because of limited sources of
power and energy. Old technologies or source of power such as waterwheels, horsepower
and windmills were used to drive heavy machinery, coal pumping and textile mills. The
changes in steam technology revolutionized the situation as industries and factories could
get sufficient sources of energy. The first steam engine was unveiled in 1712 by Thomas
Running head: A DRAFT OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND THE RISE OF CAPITALISM
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Newcomen which was driven by the piston engine. More inventions of steam engines
followed rapidly in that century. By 1800, there were more than 2000 seam engines at
work. During the industrial revolution, there were inventions in iron manufacturing,
which allowed the manufacture of durable metallic implements. There was also the use of
steam engines to help in the mining of coal.
The rise of factories
Before the inception of the industrial revolution, textile workers weaved threads
to cloth in their homes. In1979, Richard Arkwright, who had invented the water frame
patented it. The machine allowed a large scale spinning to occur at the same time. It made
it necessary to produce more thread and thus more clothes at the same time. James
Hargreaves late discovered the "spinning jenny" which also transformed the spinning of
cotton. The advance in technology further improved the weaving process. In the 1780s,
Edmund Cartwright developed the power loom, led to the mass production of light
clothes which were also cheap and desired in Britain and other parts of the world. The
introduction of steam technology also led to increased energy that helped in the driving of
machinery in the industries (Vries, 1994).
The introduction of these many technologies led to the rise of factories. Industrial
factories used a central source of energy to drive the array of machines at their disposal.
These factories employed many people, from the young to the old. The young ones
helped in simple work such as spinning in the weaving industries. New steam engines
enabled Mathew Boulton and James Watt to establish metal and foundry works factories
in Soho, Birmingham. These factories employed more than 1000 people and they
produced a host of items including buttons, boxes and buckles.
Running head: A DRAFT OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND THE RISE OF CAPITALISM
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Most of the factories were a hell to work in for many workers. The workplace was
harmful and dangerous to an extent that some of them were compared to prisons or
barracks. Factory owners induced harsh disciplinary measures to the factory workers
making their stay difficulty. Children from orphanages, or from workhouses were sent to
work in the factories under dusty and hot conditions. The children worked for long hours
and they often crawled between fast moving machines.
Improvements in Transport
There was a growing demand for coal after the1750 and the owners of mines had
to devise new ways of making sure that their products reached the market. Most mines
were close to rivers but because of the unpredictable tides and weather, it became hard to
rely on them. Thy developed canals which were more reliant and predictable. The use of
roads was a nightmare especially during the winter because of poor maintenance. The
roads were always flooded during the rainy season and impassable. The journeys took a
long time and were most uncomfortable. The industrial revolution led to the development
and maintenance of more roads to facilitate faster transportation of raw materials and
gods to the market (White, 2009).
The Rise of Capitalism
Capitalism was a precursor of the industrial revolution. The development of
technology was as a result of wealth accumulation by individuals which was facilitated
by capitalism. At the time, markets did not have the restrictions like there is today
making it easy for inventions to take place. It also resulted in labor movements, the
creation of Marxism ideology and market regulations. These developments were as a
Running head: A DRAFT OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND THE RISE OF CAPITALISM
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result of the difficulties the workers were experiencing. Workers in the industries desired
better working conditions, improved pay and less working hours. The success of
capitalism and the rise of industrial revolution necessitated the need for regulations to
improve the working conditions, and work environment. It also helped in fixing the
working hours, in that people today do not work for day and night.
During the industrial revolution, there was a form of capitalism called industrial
capitalism. It allowed the amassing large amounts of wealth and later investment in
factories and machinery. It also allowed the creation of markets where people could buy
goods that they were unable to produce. This, therefore, resulted in the capitalism of the
world. Capitalism also helped in the production of agricultural goods for commercial
purposes rather than for subsistence use. Capitalism had a lot of influence on the society.
For instance, it led to the creation of monopolies who controlled entire industries while
other markets were controlled by a few traders. It also led to competition in the markets
so as to satisfy customer needs and wants (Woodall, 2014.
Conclusion
The industrial revolution and the rise of capitalism had a lot of effects on the
world. Today, there are revolutions among women which came about as a result of the
industrial revolution. Women were used to doing traditional jobs and house chores but
the inventions that were marked by the industrial revolution and capitalism facilitated the
revolution amongst them and they were able to start working in industries. The
development of towns as a result of the industrial revolution was also a key factor. Small
towns grew too big cities making life leading to migrations from villages to towns.
Running head: A DRAFT OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND THE RISE OF CAPITALISM
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References
Hartwell, R.M. (1971). The Industrial Revolution and Economic Growth, Methuen and
Co., page 339–341 ISBN 0-416-19500-8
Vries, J.D. (1994). The Industrial Revolution and the Industrious Revolution. The Journal
of Economic History, Vol. 54, No. 2 Pp 249 – 263. PDF. ISSN 0022-0507
White, M. (2009). The Industrial Revolution. Retrieved From
https://www.bl.uk/georgian-britain/articles/the-industrial-revolution
Woodall, S. (2014). The Industrial Revolution and Its Effects on Capitalism. Retrieved
From https://prezi.com/-evas1mrwhvx/the-industrial-revolution-and-its-effects-
on-capitalism/