The cause of the phenomenal growth

Question

of cities from the
19th century onward is fairly straightforward-the ascendancy of industry over agriculture-but the effects of this change in lifestyle were far more complex. The mechanization of agriculture
(see pp.290-91) and the abolition of serfdom in Europe left an excess of labor in rural areas, and that labor force flooded into the cities when the Industrial Revolution (see pp.292-95) provided a new form of employment in the shape of factories and workshops. Many centers of industry developed in cities that had existed for centuries.
Others expanded from small villages, or developed as new cities where raw materials were available, or main roads or rail routes converged.Industrial buildings and railroad yards tended to be close to the city's center, with the
workers-who had no transportation- living in cheap housing within walking distance of the factories. In many heavily industrialized cities, a "factory culture"
arose, in which the
populations of whole
streets and even
neighborhoods were connected by their employment at one particular local mill or factory.
As you read, record your notes in the space below. Your notes should focus on key ideas and defining terms you do not know.
written like a 8th grader

Answer 1

Notes on the Growth of Cities During the Industrial Revolution

1. Main Idea: Cities grew rapidly from the 19th century due to the rise of industry over agriculture.

2. Reasons for City Growth:

   • Mechanization of Agriculture: Machines started doing the work on farms, which meant fewer farmers were needed.
   • End of Serfdom: In Europe, serfs (people who worked for landowners) were freed, increasing the number of people without jobs in rural areas.
   • New Job Opportunities: The Industrial Revolution led to the creation of factories and workshops, which provided new jobs.

3. Development of Cities:

   • Some cities had been around for a long time and became industrial centers.
   • Others started as small villages and grew due to the availability of raw materials or transportation routes like railroads.

4. City Layout:

   • Factories and railroads were typically located near the center of the city.
   • Workers lived in inexpensive housing close to their jobs because they often didn’t have transportation.

5. Factory Culture:

   • In very industrialized cities, entire neighborhoods were linked by the fact that many residents worked in the same factory or mill.
   • This created a sense of community based on shared employment.

Key Terms:

• Mechanization: Using machines to do work that was previously done by hand.
• Serfdom: A system where peasants were tied to the land and worked for landowners, often with little freedom.
• Industrial Revolution: A period of major industrial growth that began in the late 18th century, transforming economies from agriculture-based to industry-based.

This information helps understand how and why cities changed during the Industrial Revolution, focusing on the shift from rural lifestyles to urban industrial living.