Industrial Revolutions & Their Impact: A Historical Overview
The First Industrial Revolution (1760-1830)
Overview
The First Industrial Revolution was a radical shift in production, transitioning from manual labor in small workshops to machine-based work in large factories. It began in England around 1760 and spread across Europe by 1830, primarily impacting the textile and steel industries. Steam power emerged as the dominant energy source.
Causes
- Political Climate: The political landscape after the 18th-century revolutions aligned the interests of the landed
Plant Breeding and Domestication: From Wild to Cultivated
Agriculture and Improvement
We live surrounded by a vast variety of agricultural products. Often unknowingly, we favor some and reject others based on personal preference.
Variety in plant breeding is defined as a group of individuals that are not uniform in various characteristics.
In the past, farmers made their own selections, keeping grains and livestock of their choice. Now, farmers are limited to using what breeders provide.
Humans have continuously selected for profit. Varieties arising from
Read MoreDemography and Population Geography: A Comprehensive Guide
Demography and Population Geography
Key Concepts and Definitions
Census
A statistical and official document providing a total population count at a specific time, conducted at regular intervals (e.g., every 10 years in Spain). It gathers extensive information (birthplace, residence, profession, etc.). Data is confidential, and while reliability varies across countries, it’s considered a universal source of reliable demographic information. The first modern Spanish census was in 1857, with the latest
Read MoreSpanish Agricultural Landscapes: Transformation and Modernization
Land Use and Explanatory Factors
Major Types of Land Uses
- Arable Land: Over 16 million hectares across basins, inland valleys, and the Mediterranean coast. Scarce in northern and mountainous regions.
- Grassland: 8 million hectares for cattle feed, occupying wetter areas or those with poor soil. Three types:
- Permanent grassland (beef cattle)
- Seasonal pastures (wet and dry periods)
- Tall grasses (nomadic livestock)
- Forest Areas: 15 million hectares of deciduous forests in humid regions, enabling logging.
A Journey Through History: From Paleolithic to Absolutism
The Paleolithic Era
The Paleolithic era is a prehistoric stage characterized by the use of chipped stone tools, along with other organic materials like bone, horn, wood, leather, and fibers (though these are poorly preserved and less understood). It is the longest period of human history, comprising 99% of it, and extends from 2.5 million years ago (in Africa) to about 10,000 years ago.
The Mesolithic Era
The Mesolithic era is a prehistoric period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic, lasting roughly
Read MoreDemographic Evolution in Spain: A Comprehensive Analysis
Phase 1: High Stationary Phase
Traditional demographic regime: The birth rate and mortality rate were very high, both between 30% and 50%. Each woman had an average of 5 children, but infant mortality was high, and the population grew slowly. In these societies, the majority of infants and children died within a year, and very few reached the age of 7. Mortality was high, especially during times of bad harvests and epidemics due to the lack of sanitation and hygiene. In Spain, this phase lasted until
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