The Industrial and Political Revolutions: A Time of Transformation in Britain, Appunti di Inglese

Scarica The Industrial and Political Revolutions: A Time of Transformation in Britain e più Appunti in PDF di Inglese solo su Docsity! A TIME OF CHANGES During che first half of the 18th century, Britain attained a high level of political and social stability, but not for long. The American Declaration of Independence from Britain rule, written by Thomas Jefferson, saw George Washington become the first president of United States of America and stated that America was an independent nation and inhabitants had the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Also the Industrial Revolution completely transformed Britain's social structure while the French revolution brought new ideas and beliefs. The aim was not to restore society but was get rid of old forms of government that hindered development. THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION The term Industrial revolution generally refers to the economic and technological development, which transformed Britain from an agricultural to an industrial country. That is possible by the vast accumulation of wealth and resources that had taken place during the 18th century. (particularly colonies). NEW INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY During the Industrial revolution a large of rural farm workers became industrial labourers. The new urban masses lived in bad conditions, like poverty and polluted air by factory smoke. People worked up to sixteen hours a day and woman were paid less than men, Even the children were paid less that adults in fact were preferred by employers. At the end the countryside being trasformed by industrial practices. FRENCH REVOLUTION French revolution began an age of politican and social change which spread throughout Europe and which transformed political culture. It was development into a bloody power struggle between different groups. The Jacobins, led by Robespierre, with a huge army and radicalised the French revolution. While in Britain, this revolution (french) had many supporters like Blake, Coleridge, Wordsworth, and Thomas Paine that he wrote a revolutionary book in which he affermed that everybody had natural rights not based on property and birth. FREE TRADE AND POLITICAL REPRESSION The reign of George III is one of the longest in English history. During his reign, the son William Pitt became prima minister and became known as Pitt the Younger. He was a different politician and he was influenced by economist Adam Smith, in fact he initiated the practice of free trade. Worried about the revolution (french) he led the tory government and repress any form of protest. Also in 1801 he introduced the Act of