Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution transformed life on Earth with a powerful new energy source: fossil fuels. This era sparked massive changes in society, technology, and the global economy. Our classroom-ready lessons and teaching materials invite students to think critically about the causes of the revolution and its far-reaching impacts in Europe and beyond, using historical thinking skills to connect this turning point to today’s world.
How to Teach the Industrial Revolution
Blog Post: The Industrial Revolution: Unlocking the Modern World
Coal fired Manchester; Gulf oil built Abu Dhabi. Use those lived parallels to hook students on how the Industrial Revolution still shapes work, cities, and global power today.
Big History Lesson Guide: Industrial Revolution
Students investigate how new technologies and energy sources fueled industrialization and reshaped societies worldwide. The teaching guide provides structure for examining the origins, scale, and lasting impact of the Industrial Revolution.
Historical Thinking Skill: Causation
Guide students to use their causation skills to determine why industrialization began in Europe.
Using AI to Assess Child Labor and the Industrial Revolution
Check out teachers’ ideas for using AI to spark students’ thinking about primary- source images of child labor in the Industrial Revolution.
Lessons Plans on The Industrial Revolution
Lesson 6.3
Industrial Revolution
Fossil fuels were the key to unlocking a huge amount of energy. Using these fuels has led to increases in population and innovation, but they’ve also caused pollution and climate change.
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Lesson 5.2
Origins of Industrialization
For millions of years, immense coal deposits slept underground, holding the secret to one of the great technological revolutions in human history. In eighteenth-century Britain, that secret was brought to light.
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Lesson 3.3.3
What Caused the Industrial Revolution?
Explore the innovations and technologies that made industrialization possible and then apply your understanding in an activity by examining the historical context that gave rise to industrialization.
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Industrial Revolution Activities and Resources for Deeper Learning
Igniting Industry
Activity
Igniting Industry
This quick activity will help you locate the sparks that ignited the Industrial Revolution in England.
Origins of the Industrial Revolution
Video
Origins of the Industrial Revolution
During the long nineteenth century, Britain had several advantages that allowed it to industrialize first. What were they? Travel to England to mine for answers.
Geography: Industrialization Mystery
Activity
Geography: Industrialization Mystery
What were the ingredients and Goldilocks Conditions for industrialization? Time to use your geographic detective skills to decide why industrialization began in one place but not the other.
The Global Transformations of the Industrial Revolution
Article
The Global Transformations of the Industrial Revolution
Consider the effects of industrialization in England by looking at three case studies on trade goods—sugar, wheat, and copper—and their impact on industrialization around the world.
Images of the Industrial Revolution
Activity
Images of the Industrial Revolution
Reading about the sweeping changes of industrialization is one thing—but these images let you see the scale of that transformation firsthand.
Industrialization and Migration
Article
Industrialization and Migration
During industrialization, people moved in ways never seen before: Some traveled short distances, others crossed continents. Some chose to move, others were forced.
Writing Assessments for Teaching the Industrial Revolution
Pre-Writing: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century
Assessment
Pre-Writing: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century
Get ready for writing by crafting a claim and gathering supporting evidence to decide how industrial capitalism impacted society.
DBQ Source Summaries: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century
Assessment
DBQ Source Summaries: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century
Analyze these sources and gather evidence to support your argument
Writing: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century
Assessment
Writing: Industrialization in the Long Nineteenth Century
Time to write! Demonstrate your understanding of the effects of industrial capitalism by creating a written argument in response to the prompt.
The Industrial Revolution and Climate Change
Article: The Industrial Revolution and Climate Change
The Industrial Revolution ushered in a new era: one of unprecedented economic growth, but also one of human-caused environmental destruction.
Activity: Urbanization Game
This game will introduce you to the concept of urbanization both as a shift in demographics and as a shift in the physical environment.
