Origins of the Industrial Revolution
Teacher Resources
Driving Question: What caused the Industrial Revolution?
The Industrial Revolution brought massive changes to all aspects of society. But what caused these enormous changes? And why did the Industrial Revolution start where it did? Explore the geographic, social, economic, and environmental factors that helped tiny Britain jump-start an industrialization phenomenon that would alter the world.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the features of Britain that helped it industrialize first.
- Evaluate how the Industrial Revolution changed human communities and societies during this era.
- Use claim testing to evaluate the Industrial Revolution.
Vocab Terms:
- agricultural revolution
- enclosure
- mass production
- slave plantation
- steam engine
- textile
- urbanization
Opener: Origins of the Industrial Revolution
As you get started with this lesson on the Industrial Revolution, check out this blog post for a fresh perspective on a familiar topic.
Unlike those who lived through the Industrial Revolution, you do get to choose. In this activity, explore different options to get a feel for what life was really like back then.
Building Cities
This blog post on the challenges and opportunities of urbanization is a great resource to help you prepare to teach this activity.
Industrialization transformed communities in major ways. This simulation lets you experience both the benefits and challenges of that rapid growth.
Why Britain?
Check out our Differentiation Guide for strategies to make videos like this more accessible and engaging for all learners.
Where did industrialization begin? Explore some of the factors—both within and outside Britain’s borders—that gave this county an advantage.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you watch
Preview the questions below, and then review the transcript.
While you watch
Look for answers to these questions:
- How did coal and other environmental factors help Britain industrialize first?
- How did coal mining change over the course of the Industrial Revolution?
- How did England’s preindustrial wool industry help it industrialize?
- How did Britain’s financial system help launch new industrial ventures?
- How might high wages in Britain have contributed to industrialization there?
- What global factors may have fed Britain’s industrialization?
After you watch
Respond to these questions: Which factor do you think was most important for industrialization? Why?
Key Ideas
Claim Testing the Industrial Revolution
Teaching claim testing? This video offers a helpful overview of how we approach the skill.
Continue to explore the surprisingly complicated question of why industrialization began in Britain while you also expand your claim-testing skills.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- What geographic factors helped Britain industrialize first?
- What factors held back early industrialization in China and Japan?
- What social factors helped Britain industrialize first?
- How might the institution of slavery have helped cause industrialization?
- Other than plantations in its colonies, what global advantages did Britain have?
After you read
Respond to these questions: Do you think global or local factors better explain Britain’s early industrialization? Why?
Closer: Origins of the Industrial Revolution
Reflect on what you learned in this lesson with a quick summary. Here’s the trick: You have to summarize what you know using an image, a sentence, and a word!
Reviewing for Analysis and Evidence
Providing solid evidence and analyzing it is crucial for building a strong written argument. Look for these elements in a sample student essay.
Dig Deeper: Coal and the Industrial Revolution
Coal helped propel England to the forefront of industrialization. It also propelled the steam engine. This article will help you understand how and where the Industrial Revolution started.
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Guiding Questions
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Before you read
Preview the questions below, and then skim the article. Be sure to look at the section headings and any images.
While you read
Look for answers to these questions:
- What was the initial reason that people in Britain started mining coal?
- How did the fact that wet conditions made British coal hard to get to turn into an advantage for Britain?
- Why did the Industrial Revolution spread out of Britain?
- What were some consequences of the Industrial Revolution?
After you read
Respond to this question: Which of the impacts of industrialization covered in this article are still apparent in today’s world?
