Books with title The Industrial Revolution: Opposing Viewpoints

Learn about the sweeping changes, benefits and social problems that accompanied the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century.Even before the first glorious ring of the Liberty Bell, America was a land of freedom and promise. The Cornerstones of Freedom series explores what inspires people from all over the world to start life anew here, endure the economic and social upheavals, and defend the land and rights that are unique to the United States of America. Changes from the Industrial Revolution included convenience, more consumer goods, and greater wealth, along with child labor, pollution, and poor living and working conditions for industrial workers.

While we all know that large-scale industrialization began in the eighteenth century, the Industrial Revolution truly began in Germany with Johannes Gutenberg and his printing press. His innovation made it possible to mass-produce books, which spread literacy and knowledge all across Europe. It was in the eighteenth century, however, that manual labor started being replaced by what we today know as machines. First in Europe came Thomas Newcomen and James Watt and the steam engine. Then came John Kay and his flying shuttle, which led to the development of the textile industry. Then, in the United States, there was Robert Fulton and his steamboat, and Eli Whitney and his cotton gin. Finally, it was Henry Ford whose mass-produced vehicles made cars affordable to all. The Industrial Revolution continues to this day as formerly less developed countries, especially in Asia, have taken to rapid industrialization to improve their economy. Lexile Reading Level 800L.

The Industrial Revolution seeks to acquaint your students with the causes and results of the Industrial Revolution. They will learn how the Revolution began, how the new inventions and technology changed the world, what the lives offactory workers were like, how labor unions affected industry and workers, and more through fictional journal entries, newspaper articles, letters, and editorials. The activities and questions following each article encourage students tothink critically about the past, ponder why people made the choices they made, and what they may have done if faced with a similar situation.