Download Industrial Revolution Notes

Industrial Revolution Notes
Objective: Students will understand how the Industrial Revolution started and what
changes it brought to the U.S.
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The I.R. started in Britain in the mid 1700’s. New sources of power included
water, steam, and coal.
Textile- cloth industry affected first.
Factories allowed for mass production of goods which lowered costs.
Britain guarded their secrets to inventions. Punishment for disobeying.
Eli Whitney invents cotton gin in America. Cotton used in Britain by machines.
1 worker with cotton gin could clean what 50 people previously could.
90% of Americans lived on farms.
Samuel Slater 21 year old memorized the machine at a textile mill in Britain.
Disguised he came to the U.S. First factory started.
Mass Production introduced to U.S. where each worker makes one part of
something all the same. Goods made in large quantities for less cost.
Factory work very difficult. Low wages, long hours. Entire families worked.
12-14 hr.. Bad lighting, poor ventilation. Repetitive tasks led to injuries. days, 6
days a week
Cities grew very large. Factories in cities close to water.
Section 2
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Increase in industry required ability to move products quicker.
Road building businesses started. Turnpikes with tolls.
National road led from east to west. 7 years to build.
River most common method of transporting goods. Difficult going upriver.
Robert Fulton introduced first steam boat. Traveled 150 miles up Hudson River
in 32 hours. 30 hours downriver.
Canals dug to connect rivers. Travel time and cost both decreased tremendously.
30 cents per mile to 2 cents.
Higher Level Questions
1. How did Samuel Slater impact America’s future?
2. What effects did the cotton gin bring to America? Why?
3. In what ways did mass production lead to many injuries?
4. How were working conditions poor in factories?
5. What effect did the industrial revolution have on life in America?
6. How did the industrial revolution change transportation? Why did it affect it?
7. How could the industrial revolution be good for farmers?
8. How were people able to pay for roads and canals?
9. Why were most factories in the north?
10. What % of people lived on farms in 1800 and how did the I.R. change this?