Industrial Revolution: Causes and Key Features
Causes of the Industrial Revolution
Religious Aspects
Protestantism was the predominant religion in England. This religion encouraged hard work and influenced the emergence of a new entrepreneurial class (industrial bourgeoisie). This new social class wanted to work for “the glory of God”.
Political Aspect
A political revolution had taken place in England. The King’s absolute power was replaced by a parliamentary democracy.
Slave Trade
England had gained control of the slave trade monopoly after the War of the Spanish Succession. Through this, England created capital for industrial investment.
Colonial Empire
England had an important colonial empire that provided cheap raw materials.
Comparison of Industrial Revolutions
| 1st Industrial Revolution | 2nd Industrial Revolution | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | England | France, Belgium, Germany, Japan, USA |
| Period | 1750-1870 | 1870-1918 |
| Main Energies | Steam power | Electricity, Oil (Petrol) |
| Main Industrial Sectors | Textile industry, Iron industry | Chemicals (Bayer), Steel |
| Main Inventions | Steam engine | Internal combustion engine, Light bulbs |
Industrial Revolution in Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia
| Gipuzkoa | Bizkaia | |
|---|---|---|
| Size of Industries | Small and medium-sized companies | Large-sized companies |
| Period | 19th century | 19th century |
| Investment Source | Members of the middle bourgeoisie and petite-bourgeoisie classes | Local and foreign investment (British, Belgian, and French) |
| Workforce Source | Local population | Immigrants from different provinces of Spain |
Ideologies and Social Classes
- Marxism defended that the workers or proletarians should control production.
- Marxism wanted to destroy the states.
- It was Anarchism that wanted to destroy the state.
- Anarchism created labor unions.
- Socialists created labor parties.
- Socialists defended collective property, not private property.
Key Terms
- A principle of economic liberalism was that the market would self-regulate, and prices would be determined by supply and demand levels.
- This social class, the bourgeoisie, controlled the factors of production in the 19th century. The wealthiest were bankers and owners of large factories.
- Japan is the Asian country where the second industrial revolution spread significantly.
- The law of supply and demand: Generally, when there is high supply and low demand, the price will be lower.
- If you have a share, you own a part of a business corporation.