Industrial Revolution
Peyton Gutierrez
2A
2/11/12
Research Paper
Positive and Negative Effects of the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution had many effects on the world that have helped us pave the way for technology today; these effects are split into three main groups, economic effects, social effects, and political effects.
There were many positive economic effects that came out of the Industrial Revolution. New inventions and development of factories spurred trade and industry in many ways including the rapid construction of new products, and the access to quicker transportation. Some of these new inventions included the cotton gin, the sewing machine, and the steam engine. These new inventions and developments caused increase in production and a higher demand for raw materials, which was a positive effect on the economy. Because of this economic boom, many more opportunities were available and society became more advanced. This revolution allowed much improvement in transportation including both land and water (Sea.Ca, 2003).
Water transportation improved with the invention of the steam engine by James Watt in 1765. The steam engine allowed the captain to control the direction of the boat instead of relying on the wind. Eventually a system of waterways, channels and canals were constructed allowing swift water transportation. To allow for land travel to flourish as much as water, new roads were built, upgraded and operated. Inspired by Watt’s steam engine, Richard Trevithick built a steam-driven locomotive. Soon, the countries of Europe built railroad lines. The railroads affected the industrial revolution by allowing manufacturers to transport materials more efficiently and cheaply. The railroads additionally made travelling easier, offering the people the opportunity to take distant city jobs (Beck, Black, Kriger, Naylor, & Shabaka, 2007).
Though the Industrial Revolution had many positive economic effects, it had many negative economic effects as
2A
2/11/12
Research Paper
Positive and Negative Effects of the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution had many effects on the world that have helped us pave the way for technology today; these effects are split into three main groups, economic effects, social effects, and political effects.
There were many positive economic effects that came out of the Industrial Revolution. New inventions and development of factories spurred trade and industry in many ways including the rapid construction of new products, and the access to quicker transportation. Some of these new inventions included the cotton gin, the sewing machine, and the steam engine. These new inventions and developments caused increase in production and a higher demand for raw materials, which was a positive effect on the economy. Because of this economic boom, many more opportunities were available and society became more advanced. This revolution allowed much improvement in transportation including both land and water (Sea.Ca, 2003).
Water transportation improved with the invention of the steam engine by James Watt in 1765. The steam engine allowed the captain to control the direction of the boat instead of relying on the wind. Eventually a system of waterways, channels and canals were constructed allowing swift water transportation. To allow for land travel to flourish as much as water, new roads were built, upgraded and operated. Inspired by Watt’s steam engine, Richard Trevithick built a steam-driven locomotive. Soon, the countries of Europe built railroad lines. The railroads affected the industrial revolution by allowing manufacturers to transport materials more efficiently and cheaply. The railroads additionally made travelling easier, offering the people the opportunity to take distant city jobs (Beck, Black, Kriger, Naylor, & Shabaka, 2007).
Though the Industrial Revolution had many positive economic effects, it had many negative economic effects as