The Industrial Revolution refers to a period throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries within western societies such as Great Britain, the United States, and Europe. It was defined by the rapid increase of new manufacturing processes and the transition to steam and water power (Wilkinson, 2020). Overall, the revolution became the source of massive economic and social change throughout the western world. Several factors influenced the structure of western society with a general increase in the quality of life.
The new mechanical processes allowed for higher production rates and the hiring of new personnel to operate these specialized tasks. Because a substantial amount of labor became factory-focused as opposed to prior farming-centered activities, many individuals moved to cities. This caused urbanization and migration outside the countryside. The revolution also introduced new social classes, such as the middle class which primarily owned mines, factories, and other industries while the working class operated within these spaces, usually in terrible conditions. Certain things became more accessible, such as food, because high production affected the prices, making it much more easily available for the lower classes.
Almost all the newly introduced aspects of the industrial revolution continue to affect the modern world. The factory systems that operated in the period continued to be prevalent within several industries such as agriculture, transportation, and mass product creation. Though the definitions of the middle and working class have become altered throughout time, they continue to exist as opposing components to the upper class. Urbanization is likely the most influential of all changes as it catalyzed the large increases in population that occurred in the past century.
Work Cited
Wilkinson, Freddie. “Industrialization, Labor, and Life.” National Geographic, Web.