My objective of this blog is to provide information on how transformation into the revolution in energy and industry became introdced to the community during 1780-1850.
Essential Question: What was the industrial revolution and what did kinds of inventions did it initiate during this time period?
Essential Question Answer: The Industrial Revolution was a term first coined in the 1830s to describe the burst of major inventions and economic expansion that took place in certain industries, such as cotton textiles and iron. It initiated/resulted in the creation of the spinning jenny, water frame, steam engine, George Stephenson's Rocket locomotive, and the many economic atcs passed.
Individuals in Society: James Hargreaves
As a weaver, carpender, and inventor in Lancashire, England, he became one of three inventors responsible for mechanising spinning. In particular, Hargreaves' invention is said to have came from the inventor seeing a one-thread wheel overturned upon the floor. He noticed that if several spindles were placed upright and lateral towards each other, then several threads couldbe spun at one time. Unfortunatly, it was unable to produce yarn with a sufficient quality for the warp. The higher quality warp was later fixated by Richard Arkwright's spinning frame which used waterpower to operate.
In terms of improvement, these inventions sparked a low cost for cotton which enabled cotton to be the most treasured item for any social class and not just the wealthier classes. Now, memebers of the lower class could wear clean undergarments.
Individuals in Society: Josiah Wedgwood
Wedgwood's primary goal was to astonish the world with his master potter skills. He was the 12th child to be born in Staffordshire in the English Midlands in a family whose father's profession consisted of being a potter. Wedgwood followed in his father's footsteps and became the manager of a small pottery and began experimenting with his newly acquired knowledge in chemistry concerning firing conditions and glaze chemicals. After opening his own factory, he produced teapots and tableware along with unique glazes. With this, he was able to substantially contribute to the factory system development. He had two hundred workers within several different departments. "Wedgwood exercised tremendous control over his workforce, imposing fines for many infractions, such as being late, drinking on the job, or wasting material... Also recognized the value in treating workers well" (663). With this, he was able to create a well organized labor force that could handle his discipline in order to meet production requirement goals.
Individuals in Society: Thomas Malthus
Thomas Malthus was an English cleric and scholar, influential in the fields of demography and political economy. Malthus became famously known for his theories concerning change in population which he set forth in his influential Essay on the Principle of Population in 1798. "There are few states in which there is not a constant effort in the population to increase beyond the means of subsistence. This constant effort as constantly tends to subject the lower classes of society to distress, and to prevent any great permanent melioration of these conditions" (664). In other words, population grew much faster than the food supply available. Although he did not believe it to work out properly, he knew that the only way that to avoid rapid population growth was to marry late in life. As a result, economics was titled the dismal science.
US EVENT
Novemeber 1808: James Madison is elected President of the United States. James Madison won the elction handily against the other candidate. During his first term, he was occupied by disputes with France, Spain and most importantly, Great Britain. Great Britain lies off the north-western coast of continental Europe and stands as the largest island in Europe. As tensions continue to build with Great Britain, Madison asked for and received a declaration of war against Great Britain in June of 1812.
US EVENT
War of 1812 with Britain.
This war was between the United States and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. This 32-month conflict began when the US declared war due to trade restrictions, the impressment of American merchant sailors, outrage over insults to national honor, and British support of American Indian tribes. This war was fought in three different settings: the sea, land and naval battles on American Canadian frontier, and the merican South and Gulf Coast. At the conclusion of the war, both sides signed the Treaty of Ghent which stated that the war of 1812 was over and that it restored relations between the two nations.
Picturing the Past
THE DINNER HOUR- This oil on canvas piece created in 1874 symbolizes life in the Industrial Revolution. It is a depiction of northern England women textile workers while they are on their break. It is clear that this day was indeed a working day due to the smoke coming from the chimney in the background. Take into consideration that the majority of these women are young, unmarried (probably), and have in their possession something of need like a water tin or lunch basket.
Analyze: How would you characterize the economic conditions of these young women? What aspects of their clothing symbolizes poverty or wealth?
Connections: Why do you think there are only women depicted in this piece? Since these women get a lunch break, do you think their working conditions are fair?
Summary
3 Things I learned
-The war of 1812 lasted for 32 months
-Josiah Wedgwood created a well organized labor force that could handle his discipline in order to meet production requirement goals
-How to create a blog online
2 Things that Interested Me
-The capibilities/advantages of having a blog
-Josiah Wedgwood shares the same interests as me in terms of pottery and glazes. I have been in a pottery class at the high school for four years
1 Question I Still Have
-What does dismal science mean? Thomas Malthus' actions caused economics to be called a dismal science
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