assignment

Read carefully David Christian's article on the Industrial Revolution of c. 1750-1900 and how it marked another threshold in human history. Then answer the following questions:

1. Look at Table 13.1 on p. 407, giving details of industrial output between 1750 and 1980. In your opinion, what was the most significant or outstanding development or change in the century between 1800 and 1900? Then, what do you think was the most outstanding change that occurred between 1900 and 1980?

2. Then, look at Table 13.3 on p. 412, which gives changes in National Product (i.e. the value of all goods and services produced) and in National Product per Head (i.e. the average value of goods and services produced -- and consumed -- by each individual) for Britain between 1700 and 1831. Between 1700 and 1760, the average growth rate for National Product was 0.69% per year; at that rate, the economy would double in size within 100 years. In the same period, the average growth rate in National Product per Head was 0.31% per year, implying a doubling of output person within 223 years. In your view, what does this suggest about the nature of industrial productivity in the early 1700s.

Then compare the figures for 1700-1760 with those for 1801-1831, by which time the Industrial Revolution has had its initial impact. In your view, what has changed? On the basis of Christian's article, what factors might account for this change?

3. Finally, the Industrial Revolution was possible only because of the intensive exploitation of a non-renewable source of energy i.e. coal. In your opinion, on the basis of this fact should we view the Industrial Revolution of 1750-1900 as a major threshold in human history, or as a short-term exception to the Malthusian Cycle?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the first chapter to his book, The Hundred-Year Lie, Randall Fitzgerald identifies 5 'Myths That We Cherish' about our daily exposure to toxins and other harmful environmental risks. Of these five, which THREE do you consider most alarming, and why?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This piece is taken from Kunstler's book, The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of  America's Man-Made Landscape, and as such forms part of a larger argument. That said, this chapter can profitably be read as a stand-alone critique of the post-1945 emergence of a car-based suburban model of city life.

With that in mind, please attempt brief responses to the following questions . They are taken from the guideline to critical reviews that I gave you, which means that if you answer each separate question you will, by the end, have constructed a brief but to-the-point critical review of Kunstler's chapter.

1. In ONE sentence, summarize what you understand Kunstler's thesis (i.e. main argument) is in this chapter. Please use you own words rather than copy Kunstler's.

2. Identify TWO examples or illustrations that Kunstler uses to support his argument that you found particularly persuasive, saying why.

3. Identify ONE example or illustration that you felt to be weak or unconvincing.

4. Overall, what did you find to be (a) a strength and (b) a weakness of this chapter?