This worksheet asks students to chart the short- and long-term causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution.
Click here to print. Answers will vary.
The Industrial Revolution was driven by a combination of short- and long-term causes that led to lasting global effects. In the short term, innovations such as the steam engine, spinning jenny, and power loom revolutionized production methods, making manufacturing faster and more efficient. Agricultural improvements, including crop rotation and mechanized tools, freed up laborers who then migrated to urban areas in search of work. The availability of coal and iron, along with a stable political environment and banking system in Great Britain, helped spark early industrial growth.
Long-term causes included population growth, colonial expansion that provided raw materials and markets, and the development of capitalist economies. Over time, industrialization spread from Britain to Europe, North America, and eventually the rest of the world.
The effects of the Industrial Revolution were profound. In the short term, it created new jobs, fueled urbanization, and transformed economies from agrarian to industrial. However, it also led to harsh working conditions, child labor, and environmental degradation. Long-term effects included the rise of a middle class, improved standards of living for many, global economic shifts, and significant technological progress. It also laid the foundation for modern capitalism, labor reforms, and movements advocating for workers' rights and social justice.
|
