Top 10 People of the French and Industrial Revolutions
1. Jethro Tull
2. John Kay
3. James Hargreaves
4. Richard Arkwright
5. James Watt
6. The Estates
7. Bourgeoisie
8. Maximilien Robespierre
9. The Mountain
10. Napoleon Bonaparte
- Jethro Tull is an English agricultural inventor who attempted to develop better ideas through empirical research; he’s famous for his seed drill.
- 1674-1741
- His seed drill allowed for seeds to be distributed evenly and at a proper distribution, and his ideas of using horses versus oxen allowed for farming to be more efficient and speedy.
2. John Kay
- John Kay was an English inventor who is most famous for developing the flying shuttle.
- 1704-1780
- John Kay’s development of the flying shuttle changed the textile manufacturing that allowed it to be more efficient and made it so there was only one weaver necessary to work on a piece.
3. James Hargreaves
- James Hargreaves was an English inventor famous for developing the spinning jenny.
- 1720-1778
- Hargreaves’s invention meant that cotton production was increased to ten times as much as it had been before.
4. Richard Arkwright
- Richard Arkwright was a textile manufacturer who is most famous for developing the water frame.
- 1733-1792
- Arkwright’s inventions revolutionized the textile industry and helped promote the transition to water powered machines.
5. James Watt
- James Watt was an inventor and engineer from Great Britain who is famous for developing the steam engine.
- 1736-1819
- James Watt’s steam engine invention meant became a fundamental piece in furthering the industrial revolution, and meant that energy was more efficient, unlimited in location, and much more available to the masses.
6. The Estates
- The Estates were the three categories that the population of France was put into: the clergy, the nobility, and everyone else.
- 18th and 19th century
- The estates were important because they represented not only the social classes people were in but also how much taxes they would pay, what kind of rights and political privileges they had, and how they would be treated.
7. Bourgeoisie
- The Bourgeoisie was the upper middle class of France and part of the third estate.
- 18th and 19th century.
- As the Bourgeoisie grew in size, wealth, and confidence, they led the third estate to a social revolution in France that changed its economy and structure.
8. Maximilien Robespierre
- Maximilien Robespierre was a French lawyer and delegate that had a great influence on leading the second revolution in France.
- 1758-1794
- Robespierre was a leader in the Mountain, the National Convention, the Committee of Public Safety, and led the highly criticized Reign of Terror.
9. The Mountain
- The Mountain was a group in the Jacobins and the National Convention who was also trying to gain control during the 1790’s, and was led by Robespierre and Georges Danton.
- 18th century
- The Mountain greatly influenced the decision on the execution of Louis XVI, took over power of the legislature in 1793, and was on the more radical side of governing.
10. Napoleon Bonaparte
- Napoleon Bonaparte was a successful and determined French dictator that used charisma to keep order and keep followers.
- 1769-1821
- Napoleon’s greatest achievement was his success in early reforms, which gave people in France a general feeling of equality, while he also was successful at leading and centralizing the state.