In this episode Prof Peter N Stearns of the George Mason University provides an overview of the Industrial Revolution. The 5th edition of Peter's book, The Industrial Revolution in World History, was published in 2021.
This is what we've discussed:
- How does the perspective of a world historian differ from that of an economic historian?
- Why is the Industrial Revolution considered the single most important development in human history over the past three centuries? Why should we study the Industrial Revolution?
- How should we understand the word "Revolution" as it relates to the Industrial Revolution?
- Was the Scientific Revolution a necessary precondition or precursor for the Industrial Revolution?
- Are we in the midst of a Fourth Industrial Revolution?
- When and where did the Industrial Revolution start and what were some of the big moments in the story of the Industrial Revolution?
- Why did the Industrial Revolution start in 18th century Britain?
- Is the Industrial Revolution a Western phenomenon?
- What was the social impact of the Industrial Revolution?
- Did industrialization outside of the West proceed along different paths?
- What is the link between industrialization and globalization?
- Did the Industrial Revolution make the world a better place?
- Can industrialization be more sustainable?
- What are the fascinating facets of the Industrial Revolution?
- How did the Industrial Revolution affect schooling?
- Peter's advice on teaching the Industrial Revolution.
You can email Prof Peter Stearns at pstearns@gmu.edu or follow him on Twitter @StearnsPeter.
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