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Slavery in the U.S.A
Slavery was an integral part of the colonisation and production of goods in America since it’s discovery by the British. The international slave trade was abolished in 1808 though slavery was still an internalised process.
Slavery became a topic of debate after the revolutionary war as the northern states began to abolish slavery and it was no longer legal by the end of the 18th century though some states took until as late as 1820 to free the last slaves. -
Steam Engine Invented
In 1698, Thomas Savery invented the first commercial steam engine. The steam engine was one of the inventions that started the Industrial Revolution as it led to automation of a lot of machines such as the power loom, and also the Spinning Jenny. -
Seed Drill Invented
The seed drill was invented by Jethro Tull. This was the first reliable version of the seed drill, as previous versions had been built in asia. It is unknown if Jethro Tull used these as inspiration. -
First European Factory
The first modern day factory was John Lombre's Silk MIll, in 1721. The factory housed machines for twisting silk into thread. The machine designs were believed to be copied from when John went over to Italy, and this may be the first recorded case of Industrial espionage. -
Flying Shuttle Invented
The flying shuttle was a device that sped up work done on a loom by removing the throwing and catching the weaver had to do previously. The weaver just had to throw it, and then a box on the other side would catch it and prepare it for it's trip back. It was incredibly efficient when compared a standard shuttle, and revolutionised the way weaving was done. The flying shuttle also meant that the weaving process could be mechanised. -
Agricultural Revolution
The Agricultural Revolution was when rapid and vast improvements were made to farming technology, so they became far more efficient. This is when inventions like the Cotton gin and the Seed drill were invented. -
Industrial Revolution
The industrial revolution started around 1760, and was a time when many new inventions were made, with the main focus being on automation and effficieny. Many inventions were made during this period, including the power loom, Spinning Jenny, Cotton Gin and the Flying Shuttle. The textiles and the agricultural industry were completely changed during this period. -
Spinning Jenny
The spinning Jenny was invented by James Hargreaves in Stanhill, England.It revolutionised the textile industry and began the movement of people to the cities. With this machine, one person could do the work of 3000, after several redesigns. Many Jobs were lostdue to the machine, leading to an angry mob storming James Hargreaves' house, and destroying several of the machines. -
Declaration of America's Independence
The Americans declared Independence on July 4, 1776. Around this time taxes were put in place to increase revenue, although they were extremely high. The Sons of Liberty were formed, and they boycotted the taxes, and protested against them. -
Invention of the Power Loom
The power loom was invented by Edmun Cartwright in 1784.The loom was entirely mechanical, and could be powered by steam or by hydro power. It was one of the first to completely automate the process of weaving, and meant that weaving could be done quite faster. -
Captain Cook's Arrival In Australia
Cook originally set out to Tahiti to chart the course of Venus, when he accidentally found Australia. He then went and circumnavigated New Zeland, before trying to reach Tasmania. Strong northerly winds forced him upwards, leading him to the east side of Australia. Later on he found some suitable land, named the east cast New South Wales, and had a celebration at Botany Bay. Later on he declared Botany Bay terra nullius, leading to The First Fleet being sent out to Australia. -
Sydney Settlement
Sydney was originally a Penal Colony, and the Europeans ignored the aboriginal ways of agriculture, meaning that food was very scarce. Sydney was originally named Albion Cove, but was then renamed after Lord Sydney. During the settlement in Sydney, hundred of aboriginals were infected with Smallpox, which may have intentionally been brought over by the British. After the 2nd and third fleet arrived in shocking condition, trade increased and food was less scarce. -
Cotton Gin Invented
The cotton gin rcompletely changed how cotton was extracted. It was much more efficient than if it was done by hand, and so took off. It was invented by Eli Whitney in the United States. The first cotton gin was invented in 1793, and the patent was first granted on March the 14th 1794 but was not validated until 13 years later. -
Interchangeable Parts Invented
After creating the Cotton Gin, Eli Whitney did not invent but popularise the use of interchangable parts in machines. Interchangeable parts meant that items could be produced a lot more efficiently, as everything was not unique. If something stopped working a part could be replaced on the spot. -
Luddites Revolution
The Luddites Revolution was when a revolution started due to many luddites' losing their jobs due to more effiecient macheinery. The revolution was stopped in 1813. -
The beginning of the Great Potato Famine
In the mid 1800's a disease known as the Potato Blight killed off almost all of the potato crops in Ireland, which was the only source of food for peasants. Almost 25% of them died, or emigrated in the next few years. -
Australian Federation
The Australian Federation occured in 1901, meaning that Australia is now a nation. Beforehand, Autralia was just 6 british colonies, which were partly self governed, but still under the control of the British Government.