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The Creation of the East India Company
The East India Company was focused on the trade and manufacturing of products around the East Indian Ocean region. At the time, the East India Company was instrumental to the Industrial Revolution in Britain because of how it was able to establish a monopoly that controlled the price and production of certain products like tea. It also helped Britain grow to compete with other European countries and their industrial companies. -
The Creation of the First Steam Engine
The creation of the first Steam Engine took place in Britain and was invented by Thomas Newcomen. The significance of the first Steam Engine meant that machines could be continuously run as long as a engine was attached. This also meant that the machines could produce bigger amounts of product because of being constantly run. The engine was mainly used to improve water supply at the beginning of its life (Description of machine is in the picture). -
The Creation of the First Silk Factory
In 1719, the first successful Silk Factory was opened in Derbyshire, Britain by a man named John Lombe. The name of the factory was named Lombe's Mill (very original). The significance of the success/opening of this mill was the creation of a major product that powered the British economy, and also was very sought after in Britain. The Mill was 5 stories high and ran on 26 Italian engines that spun the silk together on the 3 top floors. The bottom two floors contained spinning/twisting mills. -
The Creation of the Spinning Jenny
The Spinning Jenny was made by James Hargreaves in Lancashire, England. This machine was tasked with the production of cloth in which it did much faster than traditional means. The Spinning Jenny consisted of a metal frame with 8 wooden spindles to create cloth. The significance of the Spinning Jenny was that it revolutionized the way that cotton was made and contributed massively to the economic health of Britain (in a good way). -
The Puddling Furnace
The Puddling Furnace was created by an iron master named Henry Cort. The first Puddling Furnace was created in Hampshire, England. The Puddling Furnace was able to create iron bars from Pig Iron using a reverberating process. Later on, the machine was used in the production of Steel in high amount of quantities. The significance of the Puddling Furnace was how fast it could create Steel which was important for the infrastructure of the British empire. -
Creation of the First Power Loom
The first version of the Power Loom was created in Doncaster, England by Edmund Cartwright. The machine was made of warp beam, harnesses, heddles, shuttle, and reed. The significance of the Power Loom was that it helped improve on previous designs of the loom and would eventually be the inspiration for more modern Looms like the Automatic Loom. Also, the Power Loom was able to produce more textiles in a faster period. -
The Combination Act
In 1799, the Combination Act received royal assent (became official) by the British Empire. The act was passed by the parliament of Great Britain and focused on preventing workers in Britain from forming groups and to ask for better pay/ go on strike. The significance of the Combination Act was on how it limited the right of workers in Britain as well as reflecting what was going on in the world at the time with workers rebelling over poor working conditions. -
Cotton Becomes Britain's Biggest Export
In the first time since the beginning of the British Empire, cotton has become the most traded Export for Britain. At the time, wool was the biggest export with other textile products and slaves being popular to. The significance of cotton becoming the most popular export of Britain shows that the country has shifted its economy more to the Industrial side and has started to embrace it. -
Large Scale Riots in Arnold, Nottingham
The first riots in Nottingham, Britain happened because of the machines. To elaborate, the workers were not happy with machines because of how they took the jobs of workers and left them jobless for long periods of time due to how many machines there were. In protest of the machines, large mobs of people destroyed machinery in Nottingham. This caused the British Parliament to then enact a law that made the destruction of machines punishable by death in 1812. -
Safety Lamps
The safety lamp was invented by English engineer George Stephenson and Cornish chemist Sir Humphrey Davy and was first used in Sunderland, England. The first safety lamp was used for miners in Sunderland to work in dark conditions underground. The design of the safety lamp resembles a oil lamp that is more skinnier and has a hook to hang onto ledges and posts. The significance of the safety lamp ensured the safety of miners and also made it possible to work longer because of the light. -
The Repeal of the Combination Act
The Combination Act was repealed in 1824 due to the high amount of violence that the act caused throughout Britain. The Repeal of the act allowed workers to receive better rights and to form units to bargain for better rights from their employers. However, British Parliament attempted to reenact the Act in 1825, but was unsuccessful. -
First Passenger Train is in Service
Thanks to the creation of the steam engine in 1816 by engineer George Stephenson, the first Passenger Train began service in 1825. The passenger train carried 450 people from Darlington to Stockton. The significance of the first passenger train was fact that transportation was known faster and easier. Also, the transfer of goods became faster based on speed and space. -
Cholera Epidemic
Britain experienced its first outbreak of Cholera in 1832 with a second outbreak occurring in 1848. The disease was thought to have come from Asia over to Britain in which it affected the entire country. In the first Epidemic, around 52,000 people died from the outbreak. Another 53,293 people died in the second outbreak in 1848. The significance of the outbreak represented a need to better the British health system so no more outbreaks occurred like these. -
The Factory Act is Passed
The Factory Act of 1833 was instrumental in the rights of children workers working in Britain. This act prohibited workers under the age of 9 to work. Also, 13-17 year olds could no longer work more than 12 hours and 9-12 couldn't work longer than 8. The significance of the Factory Act was that it gave rights to children workers and made policies in factories more modern (safer) for them. -
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Advancements in Child/Women Working
Along with the factory act, more laws regarding child workers started to pop up around Britain. A law for miners prohibited children and women from working underground and mines due to unsafe conditions (1842). Another law was passed in 1847 that limited the hours worked for women and children to be no more than 10 hours a day. The significance of these laws, like the Factory Act, helped improve working conditions for both children and women. Please note that time spans do not allow pictures -
First Iron Warship
The HMS Warrior was the first ever British Iron Warship of its kind. The ships armour consisted of 4.5 inch thick wrought iron that was powerful for its time. The Warship also consisted of 40 guns that were lined along the perimeter of the ship. The significance of the HMS Warrior shows an advancement in military technology and the foreshadowing of future warships. -
The TUC is Formed
The TUC stands for, Trades Union Congress, they first came together in Manchester, England in 1868. The main purpose of the TUC was to lobby for the British Parliament by passing labor laws that favored unions. The TUC was made up of experienced laborers that came together to campaign for better rights of workers. The significance of the TUC was the advancement in workers rights for Britain. -
Foster's Education Act
The Fosters Education Act was enacted in 1870 and focused on making education mandatory for children in England and Wales. This affected children from ages 5 - 12 years old. This act did not affect current private schools that had been created before the act was enacted. The significance of the Fosters Education Act was that it improved education for children in England and Wales which would benefit the country later on (Smarter children = Well educated citizens). -
British Industries at its Peak
This is where we see the climax of the British industry. Specifically, looking at the Textile Industry, the country was producing over 8 billion yards of cotton. Also, new industries were starting to gain a foothold in the economy such as shipbuilding around Tyneside and Clydeside. Also, the production of Steel and some chemicals was starting to show up in Mersey/Tees. The significance of this peak in the British economy shows a period of economic stability and an economy flourishing. -
World War 1: How it Changed British Industries
World War 1 changed everything for the British economy. With the start of a war that involves almost every major country in the world, foreign countries began to make their own industries and did not rely on British products as much as they used to. On top of that, most of Britain's economy as now focused on the war effort and not their own economy. The significance of the start of WW1 shows a significant shift in the economy and a decline of it as well.