Industrial Revolution

The reading suggested connections between the French and industrial revolutions, but did not really elaborate further. It also connected it to the Enlightenment, which makes a lot of sense. The Enlightenment brought about a new age of scientific thinking, which of course would have spurred the invention of new machinery and new uses for natural resources, such as coal and iron, so that greater production could happen. The French revolution also would have helped show how the old ways of thinking were not as relevant, and support the common business man having power. After the French revolution, the people did not have to pay the government onscene taxes, and so wold have been able to make more money, which would have allowed them to expand their businesses, increasing production.
The Industrial Revolution and slave trade were very strongly connected. It is even possible that the two depended on each other, because increased manufacturing required more workers to pick the cotton, mine the coal and mine the iron, even faster than before. Because of this need, slavery probably looked pretty useful, as slaves could be forced to work very hard, for very long periods of time, and would never be able to quit or leave you, except through death. The Industrial revolution would have created a demand for slaves, and the slave trade would have encouraged people to expand and manufacture more.