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Jethro Tull Invents the Seed Drill
Jethro Tull was one of the first scientific farmers, and he invented the Seed Drill. The Seed Drill allowed farmers to sow seeds in well spaced rows at specific depths. Therefore, a larger share of the seeds took root. This was one of the many inventions in the Agricultural Revolution that increased the food supplies in England. -
John Kay Invents the Flying Shuttle
John Kay invented the Flying Shuttle which allowed for a single weaver to weave much wider fabrics. The Flying Shuttle could also be mechanized, and it was used in textile factories around the world. The many inventions in the Textile Revolution were attached to Steam Engines and other devices that allowed for a much faster production of textiles to meet the growing population of England's needs. -
James Watt Builds the First Steam Engine
James Watt was a mathematical instrument maker in Scotland. An entrepreneur named Matthew Boulton financed Watt, and the "Boulton-Watt" steam engine was created. It stemmed from the search for a cheap and convinient source of power to un-flood coal mines. The steam engine could power many different things; including boats, weaving machines, trians, and much more! -
Marx and Engels Publish "The Communist Manifesto"
Karl Marx was a German journalist who created a radical type of socialism called "Marxism". He wrote "The Communist Manifesto" with Friedrich Engels, and in it they argued that the Industrial Revolution had enriched the welathy and impoverished the poor. He predicted that the workers would overthrow the factory owners. Their book had few short term results because the widespread revolts it inspired were quickly put down. Marxism wasn't put to use until the 1900s when revolutionaries modified it. -
US Civil War Ends; US Experiences Technological Boom
The US had a wealth of natural resources, a burst of inventions, and a swelling urban population that consumed goods just like England. England had put a ban on US trade during their rule over the colonies, so the colonies had to provide for themselves. Samuel Slater built a British spinning machine, so that Moses Brown could open the first factory housing Slater's machines in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The US was a prime place for Industrialization with its North-Eastern River power-sources. -
Germany Becomes Dominant Industrial Power in Europe
Germany was politically divided, economically isolated, and had scattered resources. Industrialization started with Ruhr Valley; which was coal-rich. Imported British equipment and engineers were able to extract lots of coal. Germany sent children to England to be educated so they could improve their economy. Germany also used railroads to link growing manufacturing cities with Ruhr Valley. Germany was able to develop as a military power from the wealth created. -
British Unions Win Right to Strike
Workers joined together in voluntary labor associations to press for reforms. They spoke for all workers in their particular trade, and they bargained for better working conditions and higher wages. The Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 outlawed labor unions and strikes, but still many people ignored it. The act was repealed in 1824.
