Abraham Darby develops a blast furnace to produce high-quality iron.
James Hargreaves invents the Spinning Jenny.
1763 Victory in the Seven Years’ War gives Britain access to North America and India.
1761
The Bridgewater canal in Britain is opened.
1690 1710 1730 1750 1770 1769 Richard 1712
Thomas Newcomen develops the first steam engine.
Arkwright invents the water frame.
1771
The first cotton spinning factory is opened.
1780 1790
The first steam- powered mill begins operation.
1782
Matthew Boulton and James Watt patent the first rotary steam engine.
1
In 1890 90% of all ships in the world were built in Britain.
2
Rail tracks in 1829: 51 miles in the world 1849: 6,031 miles in Britain 1890: 35,000 miles in Britain
As you work through this chapter, you will: 1. Examine why the Industrial Revolution began in Britain. 2. Identify the most important technological advancements in the areas of textile production, mining and transport during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
3. Explore how the technological advancements in one area of society impacted on other parts of society.
4. Describe the lives of those people working during the Industrial Revolution. 5. Analyse the changes in society that occurred as a result of the Industrial Revolution. 6. Evaluate the historical, economic and political impact of the Industrial Revolution on the wider world.