The Industrial Revolution (c. 1760–1840) was a period of major technological and economic transformation that began in Britain and spread across Europe and North America. Central to this transformation was the development of steam power, mechanized textile production, and the rise of the factory system.

Key Inventions:
• Steam engine — James Watt (1769): Dramatically increased efficiency of manufacturing and transportation
• Spinning Jenny — James Hargreaves (1764): Allowed one worker to spin multiple threads simultaneously
• Water frame — Richard Arkwright (1769): Powered spinning by water, enabling factory-scale production

Social Impact:
• Urbanization accelerated as workers moved to factory towns
• Child labor became widespread, prompting early reform movements
• New social classes emerged: industrial capitalists and the urban working class

Discussion Questions:
1. How did the factory system change daily life for ordinary workers?
2. Compare the economic effects of industrialization in Britain and the United States.
3. What role did government regulation play in addressing industrial abuses?