The SPREAD of INDUSTRIALIZATION from 1750-1900 [AP World History Review—Unit 5 Topic 4]

Summary

The Industrial Revolution, which began in Great Britain, spread rapidly due to the transformative power of the steam engine, revolutionizing industries and global trade. Countries industrialized at different rates based on factors like resources, geography, and political stability. France industrialized slower due to a lack of coal, the U.S. leveraged vast resources and political stability to become an economic giant, while Russia industrialized under a harsh, state-driven model. Japan, responding to Western dominance, quickly adopted industrial practices to assert itself as a regional power. The revolution reshaped global economic and political power, benefiting industrialized nations while leaving others behind.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain and spread rapidly due to the introduction of steam power, which revolutionized industries.
• 😀 The steam engine allowed factories to be built anywhere, as it was no longer necessary to be near water sources for power.
• 😀 The introduction of steam-powered ships accelerated the global distribution of mass-produced goods, integrating markets worldwide.
• 😀 The pace of industrialization differed across regions, primarily due to the availability of resources, political stability, and infrastructure.
• 😀 Countries with abundant resources like coal, favorable government policies, and infrastructure industrialized faster (e.g., Great Britain).
• 😀 Non-industrialized countries, such as those in Eastern and Southern Europe, lagged due to a lack of resources and political resistance to change.
• 😀 Industrialized nations like Britain gained economic power, while non-industrial nations, such as India and Egypt, saw their manufacturing sectors decline.
• 😀 France's industrialization was slower than Britain's, partly due to a lack of coal and iron deposits, but was supported by infrastructure projects like the Quenton Canal.
• 😀 The United States experienced rapid industrialization post-Civil War, fueled by abundant resources, political stability, and a growing population.
• 😀 Russia's industrialization was state-driven, with projects like the Trans-Siberian Railroad aimed at catching up with Western powers, but this led to social unrest and uprisings.
• 😀 Japan embraced defensive industrialization during the Meiji Restoration, borrowing Western technology to avoid subjugation by Western powers and eventually becoming a dominant industrial power in Asia.

Q & A

What was the main technological breakthrough that fueled the spread of industrialization?

The steam engine was the main technological breakthrough. It converted fossil fuel into mechanical energy, allowing factories to be built anywhere, not just near waterways, and enabling the transportation of goods via steam-powered ships.

How did the steam engine impact factory locations during the Industrial Revolution?

The steam engine allowed factories to be built anywhere, as it eliminated the need for factories to be located near moving water sources, which was the previous power source for early factories.

Why did some countries industrialize faster than others during the Industrial Revolution?

Countries industrialized faster if they had abundant resources like coal and iron, favorable geography for transportation (e.g., access to waterways), and supportive government policies. Nations lacking these factors industrialized slower.

What were some of the key resources that helped countries like Great Britain industrialize quickly?

Key resources that helped Great Britain industrialize quickly included abundant coal and iron, access to waterways for transport, and a favorable political environment that supported industrial growth.

How did the rise of mass-produced goods impact non-industrialized nations?

Non-industrialized nations, such as India and Egypt, saw a decline in their manufacturing industries because they could not compete with cheaper, mass-produced goods from industrialized countries like Britain.

Why did shipbuilding decline in India and Southeast Asia during the Industrial Revolution?

Shipbuilding in India and Southeast Asia declined because Britain colonized these regions and forced local manufacturers to produce ships for the Royal Navy, which limited the growth of local shipbuilding industries.

How did industrialization affect France compared to Britain?

France industrialized more slowly than Britain due to a lack of coal and iron resources. However, after 1815, France developed key infrastructure like canals and railroads, which helped establish a cotton and silk industry.

What role did the United States' geographical size and resources play in its industrialization?

The vast size of the United States provided abundant natural resources, which, along with political stability and a growing population, allowed the country to industrialize rapidly and become a major global economic power.

How did industrialization in Russia differ from the United States and Western Europe?

In Russia, industrialization was state-driven, initiated by the czar to avoid falling behind Western nations. Unlike the U.S., where industrialization was driven by private enterprises and workers, Russia's industrialization led to harsh conditions for workers and contributed to uprisings.

What was Japan's approach to industrialization during the Meiji Restoration?

Japan pursued defensive industrialization during the Meiji Restoration by adopting Western technology, education, and industrial practices. This allowed Japan to become a leading industrial power in East Asia and avoid subjugation by Western powers.