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.

Connections with The Industrial Revolution, The Slave Trade, and the French Revolution

The Industrial Revolution had a lot of connections to the French Revolution because it differed so much. The Industrial Revolution aided Britain monumentally it boosted the moral of the country and it provided jobs/opportunities and overall boosted the economy. Where as the French Revolution practically killed the economy, took thousands of lives, and corrupted the French Government. Also the Industrial Revolution created new transportation possibilities, and it made new factories which helped to aid in the creation of new technology.

The Industrial Revolution had to do with the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade because you could say that there was forced labor in both in that you would have needed labor to build those transportation opportunities, and to build and work in the factories. Where as the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade when the slaves were transported to there homes they would be forced to do labor which sometimes had to do with the constructing of buildings or mobiles. Also both were a long grueling process where a lot of pain and suffering was produced, From the Industrial Revolution it took time to build everything and the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade because it took time to come from Africa and then it took time to find their place and job.

The Industrial Revolution, the French Revolution, and the African Slave Trade

In both the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution, there was a change in meaning of the highest class. Having supreme control, the landowners had the ultimate say in daily life and politics, as did the first and second estates. But as the Industrial Revolution progressed, the wealthy landowners found that they no longer were the most influential, as businessmen grew much more important. In the French Revolution, the change was much more sudden but still similar. The high class was wrenched from power because of growing anger from the lower classes due to inequality. Also, I get the impression that the Industrial Revolution caused a boom in jobs, giving more people opportunities to make their living. Like the French Revolution, this empowers the common man, who in the case of the French Revolution would be the Third Estate. With the new form of society, they were granted an equal chance to make whatever they wanted of themselves.

The African Slave Trade and the Industrial Revolution have less immediately apparent similarities. From my first impression of the Industrial Revolution, it also seems like with a more modernized world, leads to people taking advantage of the labor force. Mahatma Gandhi argued, "Industrialization on a mass scale will necessarily lead to passive or active exploitation of the villagers." While not many listened, as evidenced by the world's readiness to embrace industrialization, he had a valid point. Industrialization must have caused those in power to abuse the freedoms of a giant potential working force. The African Slave Trade was also very much about taking advantage of other humans and using them as laborers for financial gain. Although the slave trade is a much more serious example of this, both involve some level of exploitation of the potential of other human beings.

Connecting Industrial Revolution

WRITE a blog post in which you discuss possible connections between what you read and, first, the French Revolution and, second, the African slave trade.

The Industrial Revolution is certainly similar to the French Revolution. During both of these revolutions, society began to shift its view on importance of certain citizens. Before these occurred, the nobles and higher class tended to make all the decisions and have the biggest influence on society. The French Revolution led to a great shift of power in favor of the third estate. The lower working class of people began to have a say in government because they proved that they are worthy and that it is their class that is making the biggest influence in society. During the Industrial Revolution, new inventions led to new jobs for thousands of people. Work in large industries and factories created jobs for people who had never previously worked. Because the lower working class began to work in these factories, they greatly influenced the production of goods. People began to recognize their significance in the economy which led to an increase in power.

The Slave Trade related to the Industrial Revolution in a similar way. As new inventions were being made that encouraged efficiency with the production of goods, the demand for these goods rose. This of course led to an increase of slave demand. Without slavery, there was no good in creating the new inventions, as they would not be put to use. In order for the economy to succeed, there needed to be the people who actually produced the goods in the first place. The Industrial Revolution also modified the type of labor slaves did. For example, before the invention of the cotton gin, slaves would always pick cotton by hand. However, after this invention, some slaves used the cotton gin to do their work, which led to the same amount of cotton being picked by less people in shorter time. Overall, the Industrial Revolution led to an appreciation of the lower, working class, as it promoted new jobs for more people.

Connecting the Industrial Revolution to the French Revolution and the Slave trade

Connections to the French Revolution

The French Revolution allowed the poorer people to have some power and have better jobs. The industrial revolution also improved the job status of many poor people, but mostly in Britain, (although France was one of the top countries benefiting from the industrial revolution). Also, the Industrial revolution was a lot more gradual in terms of change. Another difference is that the french revolution was executed by the third estate against the top two estates, almost like a civil war, while the industrial revolution was not a conflict between people within a country. The social order was also changed in both revolutions. Thew poorest people gained more power and jobs opportunities. Also, the industrial revolution was focused more on unity, while the french revolution broke France apart.

Connections to the African Slave Trade

The Industrial revolution had less in common with the african slave trade than it did with the French Revolution. Both greatly improved the economy where they happened. In Africa, the countries got a lot of money by selling slaves, and the industrial revolution brought in more money for european countries. While the end result for the two are the same, the process is much different.

Industrial Revolution, French Revolution, and Slave Trade

After reading about the Industrial Revolution, I can see that not all revolutions are destructive to society like the French Revolution. The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain boosted the economy, provided more jobs, and could have brought the entire country together, whereas the French Revolution tore everything apart. As opposed to completely turning society on its head in one swift action, the Industrial Revolution allowed for a more gradual introduction of the lower class into society. The lower class could show their importance without all the violence that there was in France. Also, the Industrial Revolution set an example for other questions, not a warning. Other countries saw that what was going on in Great Britain was a good thing and took steps to mimic them. In the time of the French Revolution, everyone saw that it was bad, and took steps to be unlike it. Though both Revolutions achieved the same thing on the grounds of social class, the Industrial Revolution had a longer lasting positive impact.

The Slave Trade was like the Industrial Revolution in that they both boosted the economies of the countries where they took place. However, the Industrial Revolution was something positive, and the slave trade has since been looked at as something awful that should never be repeated. In the Industrial Revolution, the lower class showed their importance by working in the factories, but the slave trade showed that those who are in lower classes were worthless and could work for nothing. Though they both did good things for the economy, the Industrial Revolution and the slave trade stood for two completely different things. One was about work that was good for the entire country, and the other was about work that was good for a single person at a time.

History Connections With the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was, first and foremost, a movement towards innovation and new ideas. This movement began in the mid to late eighteenth century and continued for almost two hundred years. All across Europe, railroads were built, coal and iron were mined, and production of goods skyrocketed.  This huge change relates directly to the French Revolution because of their similar characteristics. Both revolutions started small, with whispers and rumors of a better way of life. Next, people took action and made an effort to change their lives. While French revolutionaries worked to overthrow the king and take power into their own hands, people of the Industrial Revolution began doing business on a huge scale in an effort to increase income and technology. They both ended with partial success, accomplishing much but encountering many problems during their struggles. 

The slave trade connects to the Industrial Revolution because slaves were directly related to growing businesses.  Many slaves were forced to work on cotton and other types of plantations, giving their masters free labor and a chance to increase profit without increasing expenses. Slaves were also traded as property, speeding along industrial growth.  

Connecting the Industrial Revolution to the French Revolution and the African Slave Trade

The Industrial Revolution can be connected to the French Revolution and the African Slave Trade. The Industrial Revolution connects with the French Revolution because both concerned the social aspects of society as well as expanded their ideas and innovations to other countries. Socially, The Industrial and French Revolutions both gave the lower and middle class ample opportunities to move up in society. Both also spread their ideas and innovations across Europe and the rest of the world. The map on page 531 as well as the table on page 535 illustrate the spread of new technology from the Industrial revolution very clearly. The industrial Revolution and the African Slave Trade can also be connected because both led to booming economy's and a massive gain in wealth. The Industrial Revolution's new innovations spawned more successful markets for coal, and iron which helped the economy prosper; the African American Slave Trade created a large market for slaves which also helped several African Kingdoms become very wealthy.