The Industrial Revolution
and the Rise of Imperialism
A. Fill in the blanks:
i) Coal and iron are the two basic resources essential for industrial growth.
ii) Colonies were used as constant suppliers of cheap raw material and ready markets for finished products.
iii) Socialism was a reaction to the evil of capitalism.
iv) Women and children were employed in large numbers in dangerous coal mines.
v) The industrial revolution sparked off a mad scramble for colonies in Asia and Africa.
B. Match the following:
=
C. Choose the correct option:
1. The main occupation of the Europeans in the Medieval Age was (agriculture/mining/fishing).
2. James Watt invented the (Steam Engine/Safety lamp/Power loom).
3. The first Asian country to become industrialized was (Japan/India/China).
4. The (capitalist/landlords/workers) organised themselves as trade unions to fight for their rights.
5. By the end of the 19th Century, the imperialist nations of (Europe/North America/Australia) had colonized the whole of Asia and Africa.
D. State whether the following statements are true or false:
1. Manual labour was replaced by the Machines during the Industrial Revolution.[T]
2. Small scale production flourished during the Industrial Revolution.[F]
3. capitalists were the have-nots.[F]
4. There was a wide gulf between the capitalists and the workers.[T]
5. Capitalism is a set of economic theory is based on the belief that the government should control the main Industries.[F]
E. Answer the following questions:
1. Explain the term 'domestic system'.
= Domestic system was the system of the production of goods by craftspeople and artisans at home with the help of their family members using simple tools.
2. Define the term 'Industrial Revolution'.
= Industrial Revolution is a series of remarkable inventions lead to an economic revolution in England by the middle of the eighteenth century.
3. Why were the trade unions formed?
= The trade unions were formed to protest against the ruthless exploitation of the workers by the capitalists.
4. What do you understand by imperialism?
= Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power and influence to other countries through the use of military force, colonization or other means.
5. Give one example of each of the following: a Colony, a colonial power.
= One example of a Colony is India.
One example of a colonial power is the British.
F. In the context of the Industrial Revolution, answer the following questions:
1. Mention the three important features of the Industrial Revolution.
= The three important features of the Industrial Revolution are -
i) The domestic system of production was replaced by factory system.
ii) Manual labour was replaced by machines.
iii) Small scale production gave away to large-scale production.
2. Give any four important reasons to explain why the Industrial Revolution started in England.
= Four important reasons to explain why the Industrial Revolution started in England are -
i) Surplus capital: Surplus capital from trade and commerce used in setting up new industries.
ii) Stable government: Political stability in England led to economic growth.
iii) Agricultural Revolution: Consolidation of land holdings, new agricultural methods and new machinery sparked agricultural Revolution.
iv) Major inventions: Innovative new machinery such as Spinning Jenny and Steam Engine lead to a rise in production.
3. Briefly discuss the spread of Industrial Revolution.
= The Industrial Revolution was started in England. Gradually it spread in France, Germany, US and Japan. The USA made to major progress in the iron and steel industry. Industrialization in Russia was very slow but picked up after the Russian Revolution. Japan was the first Asian country to become industrialized.
G. In the context of the economic impact of the Industrial Revolution, answer the following questions:
1. What effect did the industrial revolution have on the domestic system of production?
= The Industrial Revolution destructed the domestic system of production. Workers went to work in factories. Machine made goods or manufactured on a large-scale.
2. How did it create a wide gap between the rich and the poor?
= There was a wide gulf between the rich capitalists and the poor workers. The capitalists were the haves while the workers were the have-nots. This lead to social inequalities which led to the growth of socialism.
3. What effect did it have on Trade and Commerce?
= Large scale production of goods led to the expansion of Trade and Commerce. Surplus goods were sold to other countries. Thus industrialized Nations became rich and prosperous.
As production is increased., European Nations started to acquire colonies in distant lands to set their new market. Colonial rivalry between industrialized countries eventually led to the First World War.
H. With reference to the following points, explain the social effects of the Industrial Revolution.
1. Social inequality:
= The economic difference between the rich capitalists and the poor workers led to gross social inequalities. There was a wide Gulf between the social status of the capitalists and the workers.
2. Harsh living conditions of the workers:
=During the period of Industrial Revolution people started to come to Town from villages in search of jobs. For this, the cities become overcrowded and the workers were forced to live in slums. Black smoke filled the air, and in absence of basic amenities, the health of the workers broke down. Diseases and epidemics took a heavy toll of human lives.
3. Exploitation of workers:
=Workers had no job security and they could be dismissed at any time. They worked on a very low wages and under extremely harsh conditions. they had to work 16 hours a day without a break. Women and children were employed in large numbers in deep and dangerous coal mines. No compensation was paid to workers for injury or death due to accidents in mines and factories.
I. With reference to the Industrial Revolution, explain the following:
1. The basic features of socialism:
= Socialism was a reaction to the evils of capitalism. Socialism is a system under which there is no private ownership of capital. People in a socialist setup would not be divided into reach and four classes. The means of production is owned by society as a whole, and everybody would work and share, equally the profits of their labour.
2. The growth of trade unions:
= The workers became united against the expectation of the workers by the capitalists. They organised themselves into trade unions to fight for their rights and better working conditions. The struggle of the trade unions was long. In many countries, the clash between the trade unions and the capitalists led to bloodshed.
3. The rise of Imperialism:
= Imperialism is a policy of extending a country's power to another country through the use of military force, colonization or other means. Imperialism implies colonialism in which a powerful country acquires control over another country either partly or wholly. Colonies could be exploited to serve as -
i) constant and steady sources of raw materials for industrial production, and
ii) markets for their finished goods. Industrial Revolution sparked of colonization in Asia and Africa. India became a colonial economy of the British in the 19th century.