Lesson 5 Second Industrial Revolution

The Application of Electricity

In the 19th century, as the industrial revolution unfolded, the major capitalist countries in Europe and the United States experienced rapid economic development and significant advances in natural science research. New technologies and inventions emerged, which were rapidly applied to industrial production and contributed to the flourishing of industry, and in the 1860s and 1870s, the Second Industrial Revolution began. The second industrial revolution was characterized by the close integration of scientific research and industrial production.

In 1831, the British scientist Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction. Later, people invented early generators based on this phenomenon. By the 1870s, after continuous improvement of the generator into the field of production, electricity began to drive machines as power. The American inventor Thomas Edison used the latest results of electrical research to invent durable incandescent light bulbs, alkaline batteries, movie cameras and projectors. He built the world's first thermal power station in New York. The power station provided energy for electric lights and promoted their widespread use. Through the joint efforts of inventors from various countries, generators, electric motors, welding machines, electric drills, telephones, trams, telegraphs, etc. were introduced. Human society entered the "electrical age.

The internal combustion engine and new means of transportation

The invention of the internal combustion engine was another major achievement of the second industrial revolution in the city of applied technology. in 1876, the German Otto built a gas internal combustion engine. in 1883, the German engineer Daimler developed the gasoline internal combustion engine. A few years later, German engineer Diesel invented the diesel internal combustion engine. The invention of the internal combustion engine solved the problem of engines for transportation and triggered a revolution in the transportation sector. 1880s, German Benz built a car powered by an internal combustion engine. 1913, the American Ford Motor Company used assembly lines to produce cars, bringing about a revolution in automobile manufacturing. The price of automobiles dropped dramatically and cars began to become a means of transportation for middle-income families.

The invention of the internal combustion engine led to the development of related new industries. Cars, ships, airplanes and tractors with internal combustion engines appeared, bringing great convenience to people's production and life.

Chemical industry and new materials

The invention of the internal combustion engine promoted the development of the petroleum extraction industry and accelerated the emergence of the petrochemical industry. 1860s-80s, people have been able to use new methods to produce alkali, sulfuric acid, artificial dyes and other products, and the products are cheaper and better.

In 1867, the Swedish chemist Nobel after years of research, the invention of modern explosives. Later, he developed smokeless explosives. Nobel's inventions in the military, engineering and other aspects of a wide range of applications. 1869. In 1884, the Frenchman Chardonnay invented artificial fiber, opening up a new field of textile production.

The Second Industrial Revolution promoted the development of productivity and greatly improved people's lives. Some capitalist countries made leaps and bounds and became industrialized powerhouses. On the basis of economic development, the major capitalist countries saw the emergence of the wahine organizations and the transition of capitalism from liberal capitalism to the stage of monopoly capitalism, i.e. imperialism. The ensuing increase in capitalist foreign expansion had a profound impact on the world.

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