Revision handout: Modern Europe, 1750–
1921
1 Causes of the Industrial Revolution
a The agricultural revolution: factors that increased agricultural output:
1 The enclosure movement - a larger unit owned by a single person
a inefficiencies of ‘open field system’ – e.g. fallow land (up to 35% of the
cultivated land not used every year)
b consolidation of land into larger, more efficient units -increased the amount
of food produced and better- quality animals reared
2 Improved soil fertility -
a better use of fertilisers and crops which increased nitrogen in the soil –
more animals bred and crops developed = prevented soil exhaustion
b enabled previously unproductive land to be farmed – with suitable type of
crops or animals = led to specialisation, more profit and increased
productivity
3 Crop rotation
a four-year cycle – wheat, barley, clover, turnips planted
b clover put nitrogen into soil, turnips used for animal feed
c no longer any need for fallow land or to slaughter animals in winter = more
productive land every year
4 Selective livestock breeding
a improved meat and milk production – by choosing the breeds of cattle
b enclosures reduced the risk of disease – by isolating animals in separate
fields
5 Better cereal cultivation
a increased wheat output – by choosing the right crops, use of fertilisers and
manure
b aristocracy keen to try new methods to increase output and profits
6 Links between agriculture and industry
a more food provided for growing urban population – profitable for farmers
b farming profits provided capital for investment in industry – more demands
for transport and manufacturing
, c better transport needed to transport food to cities – access to fresh food
d improved diets led to rising population = more demand for food and
greater profits for farmers
b The development of capitalism: investment, trade and commerce
1 Investment
a banking system provided loans at low interest rates – country
banks, local money lenders, Bank of England lent money at low
interest rates to start-up a business
b landowners and traders willing to invest in other enterprises – like in
transport industry, business and social enterprises
c insurance market ensured that risks of investment could be spread –
success stories of capital returns
2 Overseas trade
a overseas trade encouraged by British government and protected by
navy – income raised from taxes on imports and exports; finished
goods sold all over the world
b aristocrats invested in trading companies – e.g. the West India Company
and East India Company; powerful pressure groups were formed and
involved in policy making
c British colonies provided increased profits from trade – Britain fought wars
to gain commercial interests and new colonies = more profits for companies
d development of British ports and their transport facilities (e.g. Bristol and
Liverpool) – to efficiently transport import and export goods
e British agents (factors) placed in foreign ports – main tasks: to import
goods to Britain and develop markets for British goods overseas
f overseas demand for British goods grew (e.g. pottery, glass and metal) -
manufacturers ensured the goods arrived and their profits returned
g slave trade provided large profits (e.g. metal goods and textiles for slaves;
slaves for sugar, cotton and tobacco) = huge profits (capital earned invested
towards other projects like canals and railroads)
3 Commerce
a Even before 1750, Britain was exporting products such as woollen cloth,
lace, shoes etc. - which led to a growing domestic market and large export to
Europe or America
b production of goods prior to 1750s based largely on cottage industry -
mass production built on an already established system of commerce
1921
1 Causes of the Industrial Revolution
a The agricultural revolution: factors that increased agricultural output:
1 The enclosure movement - a larger unit owned by a single person
a inefficiencies of ‘open field system’ – e.g. fallow land (up to 35% of the
cultivated land not used every year)
b consolidation of land into larger, more efficient units -increased the amount
of food produced and better- quality animals reared
2 Improved soil fertility -
a better use of fertilisers and crops which increased nitrogen in the soil –
more animals bred and crops developed = prevented soil exhaustion
b enabled previously unproductive land to be farmed – with suitable type of
crops or animals = led to specialisation, more profit and increased
productivity
3 Crop rotation
a four-year cycle – wheat, barley, clover, turnips planted
b clover put nitrogen into soil, turnips used for animal feed
c no longer any need for fallow land or to slaughter animals in winter = more
productive land every year
4 Selective livestock breeding
a improved meat and milk production – by choosing the breeds of cattle
b enclosures reduced the risk of disease – by isolating animals in separate
fields
5 Better cereal cultivation
a increased wheat output – by choosing the right crops, use of fertilisers and
manure
b aristocracy keen to try new methods to increase output and profits
6 Links between agriculture and industry
a more food provided for growing urban population – profitable for farmers
b farming profits provided capital for investment in industry – more demands
for transport and manufacturing
, c better transport needed to transport food to cities – access to fresh food
d improved diets led to rising population = more demand for food and
greater profits for farmers
b The development of capitalism: investment, trade and commerce
1 Investment
a banking system provided loans at low interest rates – country
banks, local money lenders, Bank of England lent money at low
interest rates to start-up a business
b landowners and traders willing to invest in other enterprises – like in
transport industry, business and social enterprises
c insurance market ensured that risks of investment could be spread –
success stories of capital returns
2 Overseas trade
a overseas trade encouraged by British government and protected by
navy – income raised from taxes on imports and exports; finished
goods sold all over the world
b aristocrats invested in trading companies – e.g. the West India Company
and East India Company; powerful pressure groups were formed and
involved in policy making
c British colonies provided increased profits from trade – Britain fought wars
to gain commercial interests and new colonies = more profits for companies
d development of British ports and their transport facilities (e.g. Bristol and
Liverpool) – to efficiently transport import and export goods
e British agents (factors) placed in foreign ports – main tasks: to import
goods to Britain and develop markets for British goods overseas
f overseas demand for British goods grew (e.g. pottery, glass and metal) -
manufacturers ensured the goods arrived and their profits returned
g slave trade provided large profits (e.g. metal goods and textiles for slaves;
slaves for sugar, cotton and tobacco) = huge profits (capital earned invested
towards other projects like canals and railroads)
3 Commerce
a Even before 1750, Britain was exporting products such as woollen cloth,
lace, shoes etc. - which led to a growing domestic market and large export to
Europe or America
b production of goods prior to 1750s based largely on cottage industry -
mass production built on an already established system of commerce
