The Chief Features of the Industrial Revolution

Activities

Complete the following notes. They will give you an outline of the information contained in the passage. The main points, relations of cause-effect, illustrations etc. are clearly indicated in the text by logical connectors. Look out for them. 

•  (par. 1) The Industrial Revolution is the improvement of the medieval skills which had previously controlled the production and distribution of wealth which led to growth of two systems of thought:

1) Economic science                      2) socialism

 • (par. 2-3) Facts of Industrial Revolution. 

• (par. 4) Decrease in rural population.

causes:     1)  the destruction of the common-field system of cultivation;

                2)  the enclosure;

     3)  the consolidation of small farms into large

• (par. 5) Agricultural advance.

cause — more scientific approach:

e.g.  

• (par. 6-7) Growth of industry.

causes;

1) mechanical inventions in textile industry

e.g.  

most important:

2) mechanical revolution in iron industry

e.g.  

3) improved means of communication

e.g.  

results:   1)  change to the dependence from the indipendente 

     2) substitution of factory system for domestic system.

• (par. 8) Revolution in distribution of wealth:

rise in rents caused by social changes in country life:

• (par. 9) Social changes in manufacturing world: The farmers shared in the prosperity of the landlords; for many of them held their farms under beneficial leases, and made large profits by them.

consequences:

1. a great social revolution, 
2. a change in the balance of political power 
3. class conflict.

• (par. 10) Misery of working people often caused by:

Conclusion:

The effects of the Industrial Revolution prove that free competition may produce wealth without producing well-being.