Industrialization rapidly transformed Europe from a static society based on privilege to an enlightened society. It undermined previous class structures in the continent and altered Western nations’ philosophical and economic outlooks. The second industrialization can be considered the determining series of events that boosted Western nations to great heights in manufacturing and, ultimately, living standards. Despite industrialization’s devastating effects towards its end, it elicited more good than bad for individuals in the region. The negative effects of industrialization do not outweigh its positive effects, as it resulted in better energy sources, faster communication, and happy accidents that boosted Western dominance in the world.
Industrialization propagated a fast development of energy sources that resulted in innovations and safety across Europe. Factories could operate longer with increased lighting and energy, which is particularly helpful during long cold evenings. Coal gas also provided better lighting to individuals, allowing them to read and write longer. This exercise accelerated the industrial revolution as literacy levels rose. The energy also increased safety in towns as they erected gas lamps to illuminate the streets (Sweeney par.3). Individuals’ education helped develop another energy source, electricity, boosting competition for the modest lighting provided by coal gas. The use of coal in factories, houses, and shops resulted in increased innovation in the Western world, with many countries providing variations or improvements to rudimentary technology. Individuals such as Westinghouse developed improved versions of products; in his case, he advanced Nikola Tesla’s electric polyphase engine using alternating current (Whelan et al., par. 13-14). The second industrial revolution provided safety and rapid development of energy sources resulting from a chain reaction that began with adequate lighting for reading and working longer.
Communication improved greatly owing to industrialization, enabling faster and more accurate transmission of information over long distances. The telegraph was an innovation that used electric flow to enable a polarized spike to transmit data at a fast speed. Its development elicited the problem of long-distance communication, resulting in many micro innovations such as submarine cables. While they were difficult to master, leading to weak and slow signals, insulating methods, the cables’ reinforcement methods, and capacitance issues needed immediate action (Popkova et al. 23). Individuals continued to study electricity transmission to eliminate these issues and enhance the telegraph’s value. Thomson made this breakthrough by designing a viable way to transmit short reverse pulses immediately after the initial pulse to boost signal strength. Submarine cables are used in contemporary society to transmit the internet. Fiber-optic cables transverse the world’s oceans, eliciting the necessity of industrialization to develop modern communication methods (Gatineau & Bennett par.1). Industrialization promoted faster and more reliable communication, streamlining long-distance communication.
Industrialization resulted in fortunate accidents credited with various developments, eliciting innovation in major industries across different fields. The development of gas produced various products such as tar. While the product was smelly, McAdam discovered that it provided a fine layer when combined with street stone coarseness (Bellis par.5). This development led to the tarmac, a current substance used on roads. Tar also became the primary ingredient for a different industry as dye could be extracted from the substance. It is also prudent to mention that rapid technological developments stemmed from coal gas’ inadvertent effect on people. Increased lighting enabled people to read and write more, eliciting greater thought and better products to replace coal. Increased labor hours created additional wealth across Europe and the Americas as factories operated for longer periods. Gas lamps lighting the streets also promoted migration to these areas as increased safety, effective travel mechanisms, and the prospect of employment attracted many people (Sweeney par.3). Industrialization had a butterfly effect on many sectors of the economy, many eliciting positive results, showcasing its relevance for development in the 19th century.
It is important to note that industrialization’s positive effects are felt in contemporary society. This period resulted in a rapid shift from preindustrial class structures to modern forms. The world progressed quickly, resulting in the development of better communication methods, many energy sources, and happy accidents that elicited positive results whose effects are seen today. Despite industrialization eliciting various negative connotations, the positive aspects outweigh its adverse consequences. The adoption of these tenets shaped the world and provided easier mechanisms for work, creating the path for future innovation to improve life.
Works Cited
Bellis, Mary. “Who Was behind Modernizing the Way We Build Roads?” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 2019, Web.
Gatineau, Vincent, and Geoff Bennett. “The Evolution towards Open Cables.” Telecoms.com, Web.
Popkova, Elena G, et al. “Fundamental Differences of Transition to Industry from Previous Industrial Revolutions.” Industrial Revolution of the 21st Century, 2019, pp. 21–29.
Sweeney, Morgan. “Before Electricity, Streets Were Filled with Gas Lights.” Office for Science and Society, McGill University, 2019, Web.
Whelan, M, et al. “AC Power History and Timeline.” AC Power History, Edison Tech Center, 2014, Web.