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The Industrial Revolution

Driving Question: How did the Industrial Revolution begin and spread to new regions of the world?

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain and soon transformed the world. Fueled by coal and steam, new machines changed how people worked, produced goods, and built cities. In this lesson, you’ll explore how and why industrialization started where it did, how it spread to other regions, and how it reshaped economies, societies, and environments along the way.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Use the historical thinking practices of contextualization and causation to analyze how the Industrial Revolution began, spread, and transformed societies during this era.
  2. Create arguments using historical evidence to support claims and communicate conclusions through informal writing.
STEP 1

Opener: The Industrial Revolution

Teaching Tools

Consider using Three-Step Reading with students to “read” visuals: First, get the big picture. Then, zoom in on details. Finally, think about what the image means. Page 3 of our Reading Guide spells it out.

STEP 2

Building Cities

Teaching Tools

The Urbanization Game isn’t just an OER Project favorite, but a world history teacher favorite. One teacher discusses a recent OER Urban Game Redesign External link , while others discuss the Urban Game External link more generally.

If you’ve ever spent time in a city, you know that they’re bursting with, well, everything! Loads of buildings, people, cultures—all in one place. This game will help you explore how cities have changed our landscape—both physically and culturally.

STEP 3

Origins of Industrialization

Teaching Tools

Make sure all your students have the supports they need to be successful! Find a variety of approaches in the OER Project Differentiation Guide Locked .

Coal helped propel England to the forefront of industrialization. It also propelled the steam engine. These resources will help you understand how and where the Industrial Revolution started.

Origins of the Industrial Revolution External link

During the long nineteenth century, Britain had several advantages that allowed it to industrialize first. What were they? Nick Dennis travels to England to mine for answers.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 4

Industrialization Spreads

Teaching Tools

The Three-Step Reading Worksheet provides great support for your students as they read these articles.

Industrialization didn’t stay in Britain. These materials examine how it spread to new regions and transformed economies, environments, and societies on a global scale.

STEP 5

Closer: The Industrial Revolution

Teaching Tools

Use this Claim and Focus Worksheet to support students in their claim making!

Historians make a lot of claims about the Industrial Revolution. It’s time for you to practice making your own claims as you consider why industrialization started in Britain before it spread around the world.

Extension Materials
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Use the videos below to extend your exploration of industrialization by looking at how new technologies like railroads and clean water systems transformed cities, health, and the way people moved through the world.
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Engines and Infrastructure

Check out how railroads and clean water systems helped carry industrialization into new places while reshaping cities, health, and human connections along the way.

Making Clean Water External link

Clean water may seem basic today, but during the Industrial Revolution, Britain’s water was filled with sewage and even bodies. Steam engines helped turn that around.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.

Railroads & the Industrial Revolution: Crash Course World History #214 External link

When most people were farmers and had to walk or ride a horse to the next town, the position of the Sun was more important than knowing the exact time. Trains changed that.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.