Today we explored the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain. We looked at reasons for Britain's industrial leadership, trends in its industry, and the results of industrialization on British society. Great Britain is just a little island, only about the size of Louisiana, but as the 19th century approached, it had become a major economic and military power. Its empire covered about a quarter of the land in the entire world and controlled trade networks and colonies all over the globe. How could this happen? Great Britain became a powerful empire because it was the birthplace and leading force in the Industrial Revolution, which was a cultural and economic shift from home-based production, traditional agriculture, and manual labor to a system of factory-based manufacturing that included complex machinery, continual technological growth, new energy sources, and developments in transportation. As the Industrial Revolution took hold, Great Britain turned its attention from the rural home to the urban factory and from human power to mechanical power, and it grew so wealthy that it was able to expand and extend its influences across seas and continents. Great Britain was the birthplace and leading force of the Industrial Revolution, which was a cultural and economic shift from home-based production, traditional agriculture, and manual labor to a system of factory-based manufacturing that included complex machinery, continual technological growth, new energy sources, and developments in transportation. Many factors contributed to Britain's dominance, including agricultural changes, a population boom, economic innovations, new ideas and a scientific viewpoint, transportation foundations, natural resources, a supportive government, and a trade network with numerous colonies. The British textile industry led the way in industrialization as several inventions spurred the rise of factories and massive increases in population. Developments in steam power and the iron industry also boosted Britain's industrial growth. The Industrial Revolution made a major impact on British society as factories spread, cities grew, workers faced harsh conditions at work and at home, and transportation flourished. As the 19th century approached, Great Britain was the 'Workshop of the World' and a major power. We ended the lesson focusing on how and when the Industrial Revolution came to the U.S. Jayden took two quizzes in class today. The first quiz was about the start of the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain and on that quiz Jaydn scored 80%. The second quiz was on the Industrial Revolution spreading to and beginning in the U.S. On that quiz Jaydn scored 100%.