Unit 4: Scientific and Industrial Revolutions of the 1600s and 1700s
The Scientific Revolution began in Europe in the 16th century, but had the greatest impact on Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Drawing on scientific ideas developed by the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as Asian and Hindu-Arabic scientific and mathematical discoveries, researchers used the scientific method to develop the modern disciplines of astronomy, physics, biology, and chemistry. Discoveries by scientists challenged traditional beliefs about the nature of matter, the operation of the solar system, and the life processes of living organisms. In England, these new scientific ideas and discoveries contributed to a gradual, but profound, shift away from traditional means of agricultural and craft production to mechanical means for producing and transporting goods. The development of the steam engine in the 1700s, for example, provided an unlimited source of energy to power mechanical devices. Inventors soon developed primitive machines to spin yarn, weave textiles, and perform other basic tasks. While these early machines often produced low-quality manufactured products, they could produce much larger quantities of goods than skilled craftspeople in the same amount of time. Engineers soon developed other applications for steam power such as railroad locomotives and steamships. Over the course of the 1700s, the Industrial Revolution swept Great Britain, and the nation became a center for the industrial production of iron, textiles, and other manufactured goods. Factory towns expanded rapidly as peasants left farms for manufacturing jobs in the cities. England's growing industrial might made it the most wealthy and powerful nation on the face of the planet by the early 19th century. In this unit, we will examine the origins of the Scientific Revolution and evaluate its social and political impact on European society. We will also look at the social, political, economic, and technological impact of the Industrial Revolution in England and throughout the world. We will see how England, and later the United States, overtook other nations industrially, economically, and militarily, and we will explore the profound implications of this power shift.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 11 hours.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- identify the origins and characteristics of the Scientific Revolution, as well as describe its impact on civilization as a whole;
- identify key ideas and events in the history of industrialization; and
- assess how these intellectual and economic movements altered social, political, and economic life across the globe in the 18th and 19th centuries.
4.1: The Scientific Revolution
Review Chapters 31 and 32 on pages 577–680, which cover the 17th and 18th centuries (1601–1800). We will examine the impact of new scientific ideas and industrial technologies on the peoples of Europe and other parts of the world.
4.1.1: Origins
Listen to this lecture.
4.1.2: Social Impact
4.1.3: Political Impact
4.2: The Industrial Revolution
4.2.1: Origins
4.2.2: Social and Political Impact in Europe
In his 1835 article "The Philosophy of Manufacturers", Andrew Ure describes the new industrial system that had developed in England over the course of the previous century. He argues that the new factory system is beneficial to workers, since it relieves them of much of the tedium of manufacturing goods by hand. He also notes that the system does away with skilled workers by replacing them with machines. While machines are expensive, unskilled women and children can operate them for very low wages, which saves money for factory owners. Ultimately, Ure concludes that the Industrial Revolution has benefited the people of England and any opposition to it is simply due to ignorance and fear mongering.
4.2.3: Global Impact
Unit 4 Assessment
Review the Chapter 17 and Chapter 23 outlines, and then take the multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer quizzes. Unfortunately, the original provider for this quiz has rearranged the site in such a way that Submit Answers for Grading button does not work and no longer indicates the correct answers. This quiz should be fairly straightforward and easy for students with a good understanding of the course materials. Therefore, you should use this quiz as a self-assessment of how comfortable you feel with the material before you move forward.
Review the Chapter 19 overview, and take the 12 question "self-check" multiple-choice quiz to assess your understanding of the subjects covered in Unit 4.