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	CALIFORNIA CONTENT STANDARD 10.3.1	The Industrial Revolution in England	

Specific Objective: Analyze why England was the first country to industrialize.

Read the question-and-answers below. Then do the practice items on the next page.
The Industrial Revolution began in England in the mid-1700s. In the century that followed, factories and machines transformed the nation and spread throughout Europe and North America. Instead of using hand tools to make household quantities, people came to rely on machinery to produce large amounts of goods to be sold in shops.

Q: Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in England?

A: Economic Strength
__ During the 1600s, overseas exploration had opened new markets for England, and led to a thriving economy based on money.
__ British merchants invested money in new industries.
__ New financial institutions such as banks offered business loans that helped spur industrial growth. The most famous was the powerful Bank of England, 1694.

A: Geography and Natural Resources
__ England’s rivers offered a dual advantage. Fast-flowing rivers were a source of water power to fuel machinery, and throughout the nation rivers provided inland transportation routes for industrial goods.
__ In addition, England’s excellent natural harbors were a benefit to merchant ships.
__ England had rich natural resources in the form of coal and iron mines. Coal was a valuable source of energy to fuel machinery, and iron was used to make machines and products, such as tools and cookware.
__ A region in west-central England became known as the Black Country for its smoke clouds from factories burning coal and smelting iron.

A: Population Growth
__ Scientific improvements in farming during the 1700s led to more crops and healthier livestock—an Agricultural Revolution that brought more food to the people. Health and living conditions improved, and the population increased.
__ A larger population meant greater demand for goods and more available labor.

A: Political Stability
__ An isolated, island nation, England participated in European wars of the 18th and early 19th centuries, but never on home ground.
__ England’s industrial growth was not interrupted by war.

	CALIFORNIA CONTENT STANDARD 10.3.1	The Industrial Revolution in England	

Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer.

1	What was a direct effect of increased food production during Europe’s Agricultural Revolution?
A	New markets opened.
B	Overseas trade increased.
C	The population increased.
D	Excess food was wasted.

2	During the 1600s, Europe developed a thriving economy based on
A	barter.
B	money.
C	banking.
D	factories.

3	A defining feature of Europe’s Industrial Revolution was that many commercial goods were
A	purchased in overseas markets.
B	manufactured in less developed countries.
C	sold without economic barriers such as tariffs.
D	made by machine rather than by hand.

4	A geographic advantage of England in the Industrial Revolution was its
A	natural harbors.
B	national bank.
C	central location in Europe.
D	central mountain range.

5	The “Black Country” of England was known for its
A	forest fires.
B	smoke from coal.
C	fast-flowing rivers.
D	political stability.

6	What was one important power source for factories in 18th-century England?
A	gas
B	electricity
C	oil
D	water