Ch. 17 Industrial Revolution

In what respects did the roots of the Industrial Revolution lie within Europe? In what ways did that transformation have global roots?

In the early phase of Europe's Industrial Revolution, industrialization spread quickly by 1850. Europeans favored innovation and competed among each other which I can assume there was a large advancement in technology. Larger empires like China, the Ottoman, or Mughal didn't grow their technological factors for this feeling of security in their economy. "Such internally competitive economies, coupled with a highly competitive system of rival states, arguably fostered innovation in the new civilization taking shape in Western Europe"(829). The society in Europe was leaning more towards capitalism where they were developing market-based economies. These created networks of exchange and trade where various different cultures were generating a global root of innovation. Europeans were going on voyages like to China where they were getting inventions from, and from India where they were getting their textiles. Chinese porcelain and Japanese lacquerware became very popular and were looked up to for its high quality. In the Americas, the Europeans discovered silver to trade in Asian markets as well as timber, fish, maize, potatoes, and more. Cotton produced by slaves was a hit for the textile industry at low prices. In addition, sugar produced by slaves "furnished cheap calories to European workers"(830). The Americas made great profits for European merchants and entrepreneurs due to the fact the Americas wanted to trade with the machine-produced goods from Europeans. This was definitely one of the roots of technological and economic growth. The main key point to get out of this is that commerce and cross-cultural exchange provided technological transformations for the economy. 


What were the differences between industrialization in the United States and that in Russia?

The American industrialization started with the textile industry and was the world's leading industrial power. They grew financially from the British, French, and German capitalists. The U.S government enabled tax breaks, grants for railroad companies, laws for corporations, and more. The Model T produced by Henry Ford was affordable for many ordinary people. On the other hand, there was an abuse of capitalist industrialization. Many railroad workers went on strike because some of their payment was cut and farmers railed against banks, industrialists, monopolies, the money system, and political parties. Progressives pushed for wage and hour legislation, better sanitation standards, antitrust laws, and greater governmental intervention in the economy. One of the main characteristics of American industrialization if socialism. 
The Russian industrialization was the sole outpost of absolute monarchy where the state exercised greater control over individuals and society. There was a hierarchy that influenced its societies like upper levels were landowners and military and government officials. Most Russians were peasant serfs where they had masters, were subjects to sale, and exploited. This was basically slavery (from how I see it). A difference between these two countries was that the United States had an uprising for change from society as free farmers, workers, and businessmen for new opportunities. In Russia, change was rarely initiated by the state. Peter the Great was to be Russia's "window on the west." Catherine the Great continue it to modernize and westernize Russia viewing herself as heir to the European Enlightenment. Another thing was the freeing of serfs in 1861 where it was stimulated by the military defeat by the British and French in the Crimean War. By the 1890s, Russia's Industrial Revolution was launched! They focused on railroads and heavy industry and fueled by foreign investments. They were ranked fourth in the world for steel production and had big industries in coal, textiles, and oil. 

How did the Industrial Revolution interact with the Scientific Revolution and the French Revolution to generate Europe's modern transformation?

The Industrial Revolution interacted with the Scientific Revolution and the French Revolution to generate Europe's modern transformation of European society and to propel Europe into global dominance. Agricultural predecessor began in Western Europe and spread rapidly. Both revolutions combined resulted in a strong political and economic impact in Europe, including individualism and secularism. The Scientific Revolution helped the Industrial Revolution for new technological inventions where it was greatly encouraged.