Early Industrialization and Imperialism in the 19th Century
Several revolutions broke out just before the start of the Industrial Revolution. The two most significant were
the American and French Revolutions, followed by the 15 turbulent years of the Napoleonic Wars. These wars
were not only significant because of the governmental changes that occurred, but they were also spurs to
Industrialization in England and a hindrance to industrialization on the European mainland. The Industrial
Revolution created new economic structures; the changes rivaled those brought by the Neolithic revolution.
All aspects of human life were touched. European power rose, and extensions of Western civilization
developed in other lands. Western European industrialization fundamentally altered the nature of European
overseas expansion. In previous times, Europeans sought desired material goods or moved against threats
from external enemies. In the Americas, they seized lands for plantation crops. Christian missionaries sought
converts. Much of the secular and religious thrust was due to a desire to strengthen Europe in the long contest
with Islam. Industrialization brought new motives for expansion. Raw materials were needed to fuel industrial
growth, and markets were required for its manufacturing production. Christian proselytizing continued, but
private initiative replaced state direction. Another change was that the increased power of the West made it
fear European imperial rivalries more than indigenous opposition. Europeans then had gained the capacity to
push into and occupy territories once closed to them by disease or local resistance.
The Age of Revolutions began in late 18th century and continued throughout the 19th. The timing of these
revolutions was no accident as each one was inspired by the philosophical principles born of the Age of
Reason or the Enlightenment. The personalities of the Enlightenment period debated and published theories
based on the relationship of man to his government and vice versa. Thinkers such as John Locke and Jean
Jacques Rousseau clearly detailed the responsibilities of both parties (subject and government) establishing
ground rules, which dictate that a government must serve its people's needs and in return the people will
obey and honor the government. If the government does not work for the benefit of the people then it can
and should be overthrown and replaced. Beginning with the American Revolution many peoples from Europe
and elsewhere began to demand that their governments (and overlords) serve their needs. When these
governments failed to live up to the expectations of the peoples often the end result was revolution. The
American and French Revolutions served as catalysts for tremendous change in the evolution of both
European and non- European histories. The Age of Reason and Enlightenment movements opened the door to
new perspectives on national politics. These movements emphasized the responsibility modern governments
have to the people they rule, a concept which had been foreign to previous European powers. The post
Napoleonic period in Europe opened the eyes of the traditional European powers to the newly developing
forces of change, forces which eventually overwhelm the major houses of Europe. To add to the existing
political chaos in Europe the Industrial Revolution which had transformed Britain was sweeping through most
of Europe creating havoc in the economic and social standards which had so long been the standard. The
dynamics of the relationships between Europe and the former colonies of the Americas changed dramatically
due not only to the revolutions but also to the industrialization of Europe.
Revolutions Video Clips
Watch and take notes over these "Discovery Education" short videos on the America and French Revolutions.
Causes of the French Revolution
Causes of the American Revolution
The Continuing Revolution
American Colonies
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you have created your login, the code will not be needed.
Revolution PowerPoints
Read over these PowerPoints and take notes.
Comparative Revolutions
French Revolution
Napoleon
Visit and read over the websites in the sidebar under 'Lesson 1 Websites"
Congress of Vienna and the Revolutions of 1848 Activity
Using the websites below, explain the importance of the Congress of Vienna and the riots of 1848.
Congress of Vienna
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Absoluteastronomy.com - Congress of Vienna
NapoleonGuide.com - Congress of Vienna
SUNYSuffolk.edu - Congress of Vienna
Riots of 1848
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Age-of-the-sage.org - The European Revolutions of 1848-1849
SUNYSuffulk.edu - Revolutions of 1848
Britannica.com - Revolutions of 1848
Comparative Revolutions Graphic Organizer
Complete the Comparative Revolutions Chart using information from the websites, videos, and text reading from this unit.
Revolution
American
French
South
American
Mexican
Long Term Causes
Short Term Causes
Short Term Effects
Long Term Effects
Factors Which Led to
Success of Failure
Points of
Comparison With
Other Revolutions
Industrialization
Read this Industrial Revolution Summary
Watch and take notes over this Discovery Education video:
Industrial Revolution
This video is coming from Discovery Learning. Harrison’s school code is 95A8-22E8 to create your login. Once
you have created your login, the code will not be needed
Review these PowerPoints:
Industrial Revolution
The Making of Industrial Society
Industrialization Graphic Organizer
Complete the chart below that compares the development of the major industrial powers. Fill in the chart
with bulleted informational points.
Great Britain
Ranking as
an Industrial
State
(opinion)
Natural
Resources
Available
Technology
Developed
and/or
Utilized
Effects
Population?
Transportation Systems
Developed
Societal
Impact
United States
Germany
Japan
Adam Smith vs. Karl Marx
Using the website below, compare the differences in economic thought between Adam Smith and Karl Marx.
Include your own thoughts!
Difference between Adam Smith and Karl Marx
Imperialism
Read this summary over Imperialism.
Watch this brief Discovery Education video over Britain in India.
This video is coming from Discovery Learning. Harrison’s school code is 95A8-22E8 to create your login. Once
you have created your login, the code will not be needed.
Review and take notes on these "Imperialism" PowerPoint presentations.
Imperialism
India and Imperialism
Primary Source
European domination of the third world regions was justified in large part by the concept of Social Darwinism.
Many Europeans lived in and administered control of regions in Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific. Rudyard
Kipling was a British imperialistic writer who wrote several works with Imperialism as the theme.
Complete the … Man’s Burden poems activity handed out in class.
Questions to Consider
1. What two events slowed the spread of industrialization to the European mainland?
2. In what country did the Industrial Revolution begin?
3. What was the first industry to be industrialized?
4. What Economist promoted the idea of "laissez-faire"?
5. Who is considered the founder of Communism?
6. Analyze the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the traditional roles of the lower classes and the women
of the European states during the 18th and 19th centuries.
7. What "theory" was used to justify European imperialist policies in the mid to late 19th century?
8. What continent was divided between the European imperial powers at the Berlin Conference of 1884?
9. What country was considered the "Jewel in the Crown of England"?