Crash Course World History: The Industrial Revolution

Introduction

• Presenter: John Green
• Focus: Industrial Revolution and its impact on modern life
• Time period: Approx. 1750 to 1850
• Compared to other revolutions (French, American, etc.), the Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on daily life.

Pre-Industrial Society

• Consistent aspects over 15,000 years:
  • Disposal of waste
  • Location of drinking water
  • Acquisition of clothing
  • Life expectancy: 25-35 years
  • Education was a privilege
  • Travel limited to speed of horseback
  • Majority of population engaged in farming

Impact of the Industrial Revolution

• Only 1% of the population in the US currently works in farming
• Technological advancements:
  • Electricity
  • Transportation (cars)
  • Education (12 years of free formal education)
  • Modern amenities (toilets, antibiotics)
• Key statistic: Pre-industrial revolution, 80% engaged in farming

Definition of Industrial Revolution

• Increase in production using machines
• New energy sources
• Not synonymous with capitalism but connected
• Began around 1750, primarily in Europe and Britain

Innovations and Interconnections

• British Textile Industry:
  • Flying shuttle (John Kay, 1733)
  • Spinning jenny and water frame
  • Steam engine improves mechanization
• Steam engine (Thomas Newcomen, improved by James Watt)
  • Cleared water from mines
  • Led to more coal production
  • Enabled railroads, steamboats
• Chemicals (sulfuric acid) used in textile production

Eurocentric Arguments for Industrialization in Europe

1. Cultural superiority
2. Culture of science and invention
3. Free political institutions
4. Strong property rights
5. Small population encouraging labor-saving inventions

Challenges to Eurocentric Views

• China and India also had advanced economies and cultures
  • China: Gunpowder, printing, paper, free enterprise
  • India: Major producer of cotton textiles
• Comparison in 1800: China, India, and Europe were industrially similar

Advantages of Britain

1. Coal
   • Abundant and near the surface
   • Integral to steam engines and industrialization
2. Wages
   • Highest wages in the world
   • Created economic efficiency for machine invention

• Example from historian Robert Allen: "Wages were high and energy was cheap."

Global Influence

• Cotton textiles drive early Industrial Revolution
• Indian cotton influenced British industrialization
• British manufacturers invested in machines to compete with India

Conclusion

• The Industrial Revolution was a global phenomenon with intertwined influences
• Teaser for next episode: Discussion on capitalism
• Credits: Produced by Stan Miller, script by Raul Meyer and John Green
• Encouragement to participate in comments and engage with future content

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• Phrase of the Week: The New England Revolution
• Reminder: "Don't forget to be awesome"