AP Modern World History Flashcards: Industrial Revolution Begins
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
Besides natural resources, what were two economic factors that spurred the Industrial Revolution?
Two major economic factors were the accumulation of capital for investment in new machinery and factories, and access to foreign resources.
Card 1 of 10
All Flashcards (10)
Besides natural resources, what were two economic factors that spurred the Industrial Revolution?
Two major economic factors were the accumulation of capital for investment in new machinery and factories, and access to foreign resources.
How did the factory system change the nature of work for laborers?
It led to an increasing degree of specialization of labor, where individual workers would perform a single, repetitive task in the production process.
What were three key environmental factors that contributed to industrialization?
Key environmental factors included proximity to waterways for transport, and the geographical distribution of resources like coal, iron, and timber.
How did improved agricultural productivity contribute to industrialization?
Greater efficiency in farming freed up a significant portion of the population to move to cities and work in factories, providing a necessary labor force.
What was the role of legal systems in fostering industrial growth?
The legal protection of private property encouraged investment and innovation by assuring entrepreneurs that their capital and factories were secure.
Define the factory system.
The factory system was a new method of production that concentrated manufacturing in a single location, leading to increased specialization of labor.
An inventor creates a new machine, but their country lacks accumulated capital. How would this affect industrialization?
Without an accumulation of capital, there would be no funds available to build the factories or produce the new machine on a large scale, thus hindering industrialization.
Why was the geographical distribution of coal and iron so important for early industrial nations?
Coal provided the fuel for steam engines and iron was the primary material for building machinery and infrastructure, making their proximity essential for efficient industrial production.
What is meant by 'specialization of labor' in the factory context?
It is the division of a complex production process into a series of smaller, simpler tasks, with each task being assigned to a specific worker or group of workers.
What is the relationship between urbanization and the Industrial Revolution?
Urbanization provided a concentrated labor pool for the new factories, while the growth of factories, in turn, drew more people to the cities.