<–2/”>a >Emergence and Background
Beginning of geographical discoveries and direct sea routes opened new avenues of Trade and Commerce. It formed the bedrock of Industrial revolution as mismatch between demand and supply led to new innovative ways of enhancing production.
Second factor was emergence of capitalist ideology. Profit making became the core of all economic activities in Europe. Capitalists financed the voyages of sailors in search of new markets and new sources of raw material. New industries were also financed by capitalists.
New inventions were made which enhanced productivity many fold. Invention of Steam Power, Use of Mechanical Power instead of Man and Animal power changed the way production was done Hargreaves’s spinning mill, improvement of Arkwright and Crompton over that spinning mill. Invention of steam engine led to birth of Cotton Jenny, a much improved cotton weaver.
Factory production arrived as new mode of production as community or home workshop production failed to meet burgeoning demands.
Colonial quests led to discoveries of new cheap sources of raw materials and profitable dumping markets for finished products.
Faster means of Communication, commoditification of labor with introduction of wage System, development of new sources of energy like coal, new durable materials like steel were the other supporting factors for the rise of Industrial Revolution.
Industrial Revolution in Britain
A number of factors contributed to Britain’s role as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. For one, it had great deposits of coal and iron Ore, which proved essential for industrialization. Additionally, Britain was a politically stable Society, as well as the world’s leading colonial power, which meant its colonies could serve as a source for raw materials, as well as a marketplace for manufactured goods.
As demand for British goods increased, merchants needed more cost-effective methods of production, which led to the rise of mechanization and the factory system.
There were many conducive factors. Britain had adequate capital which was accumulated through colonialism Disappearance of serfdom and ‘enclosure movement’ provided huge surplus agricultural labor which looked for EMPLOYMENT and became source of cheap labor. (As Industrialization started, land became valuable commodity. Big landlords started snatching the land of small farmers and this was termed as ‘enclosure movement’). Britain was also rich with natural Resources. Iron and coal proved twin pillars of Industrial Revolution and Britain was lucky to have them in close proximity. Britain also had a stable Polity unlike Europe. It also had a strong navy – a symbol of military might. Inventions, capitalist ideology and communication were other factors.
Salient Features of Industrial Revolution
First feature is that, Britain was the epicenter of this revolution in 1750.
Secondly, it started from textile sector. Britain used to spent huge wealth on import of foreign clothes like Dhaka Muslin, Calicut Calico and so on leading to huge forex drain. So, textile industries became a natural choice to start with.
It was also a revolution in Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE which was necessary for spread of it. Railways, steam boats (reduced dependence on wind sails with heavier load), Macadamized roads (pucca roads named after its inventor Macadam), new form of communication like telegraph and penny post (now it was possible to send post in a mere penny) etc lead to new Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization.
It gave birth to ideology of mercantilism which viewed world resources as limited and merchants vied for each other in a ‘zero-sum game’
A process of new globalization started in which colonies were integrated in a highly subservient manner.
It also affected agriculture. Cropping patterns were changed. Staple Food Crops were replaced with Cash Crops like cotton, indigo, tea, opium etc.
Impact of Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution also had certain other fallouts which were not expected. There was also opposition to these new developments. Luddite movement was such an even which was a movement launched by workers who attacked machines as they feared that machines will replace manpower. This and other movements forced Industrialists to give a serious consideration to worker’s condition
I. Social Impact – new urban centers (like Manchester, Leeds), slums, nuclear family, Urbanization, exploitation of Women and children, new class formation
II. Economic Impact – birth of capitalism, transnational trade, cheap goods, ruin of handicrafts
III. Political Impact – colonialism gets a new fillip, new division of countries as developed and und-developed, Europeanization of different parts of world, reforms movement like Chartist Movement started. Unions also began to form. New movements like – Socialism, Marxism also trace their roots to Industrial Revolution. Child labor laws were formed as exploitation of children increased.,
The Industrial Revolution was a period of great change in the way people lived and worked. It began in Great Britain in the late 18th century and spread to other parts of Europe and North America in the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution was characterized by the development of new technologies, such as the steam engine, the spinning jenny, and the power loom, which led to the rise of factories and mass production. The Industrial Revolution also led to a number of social and economic changes, such as the Growth of cities, the rise of a new middle class, and the improvement of living standards for many people.
The causes of the Industrial Revolution are complex and varied. Some of the factors that contributed to the Industrial Revolution include:
- The rise of capitalism: Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of capital and the means of production. Capitalism encourages innovation and Investment, which are essential for economic growth.
- The availability of Natural Resources: Great Britain was rich in natural resources, such as coal, iron ore, and water power. These resources were essential for the development of new technologies and the growth of Industry.
- The development of new technologies: The development of new technologies, such as the steam engine, the spinning jenny, and the power loom, led to the rise of factories and mass production. These new technologies also made it possible to produce goods more efficiently and cheaply.
- The growth of Population: The population of Great Britain grew rapidly in the 18th century. This growth provided a large pool of labor for the factories.
- The availability of capital: The availability of capital, or Money, was essential for the development of new technologies and the growth of industry. Great Britain had a well-developed financial system that provided capital to businesses.
The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on society and the economy. Some of the effects of the Industrial Revolution include:
- The growth of cities: The Industrial Revolution led to the growth of cities as people moved to urban areas to find work in factories. This growth put a strain on infrastructure and led to problems such as pollution and overcrowding.
- The rise of a new middle class: The Industrial Revolution led to the rise of a new middle class of factory owners, merchants, and professionals. This new middle class had a significant impact on society and culture.
- The improvement of living standards: The Industrial Revolution led to an improvement in living standards for many people. This was due to factors such as increased wages, lower prices, and better access to goods and Services.
- The exploitation of workers: The Industrial Revolution also led to the exploitation of workers. Factory owners often paid their workers very low wages and forced them to work long hours in dangerous conditions.
- The rise of child labor: The Industrial Revolution also led to the rise of child labor. Children as young as six years old were often forced to work in factories in dangerous and unhealthy conditions.
- The impact on the Environment: The Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on the environment. Factories released pollutants into the air and water, and deforestation occurred as trees were cut down to provide fuel for the factories.
The Industrial Revolution is a complex and controversial topic. It is important to remember that it had both positive and negative effects. The Industrial Revolution led to economic growth and an improvement in living standards for many people. However, it also led to the exploitation of workers, the rise of child labor, and environmental problems.
The legacy of the Industrial Revolution is still felt today. The technologies developed during the Industrial Revolution continue to be used, and the social and economic changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution have had a lasting impact on the world.
The Industrial Revolution was a period of great change in the way people lived and worked. It began in Great Britain in the late 18th century and spread to other parts of Europe and North America in the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution was characterized by the development of new technologies, such as the steam engine and the cotton gin, which led to the growth of factories and the rise of a new class of workers, the factory workers. The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on society, economy, and culture. It led to the growth of cities, the rise of a new middle class, and the development of new social problems, such as POVERTY and pollution.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Industrial Revolution:
-
What was the Industrial Revolution?
The Industrial Revolution was a period of great change in the way people lived and worked. It began in Great Britain in the late 18th century and spread to other parts of Europe and North America in the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution was characterized by the development of new technologies, such as the steam engine and the cotton gin, which led to the growth of factories and the rise of a new class of workers, the factory workers. -
What were the causes of the Industrial Revolution?
The Industrial Revolution was caused by a number of factors, including the development of new technologies, the rise of a new middle class, and the availability of natural resources. -
What were the effects of the Industrial Revolution?
The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on society, economy, and culture. It led to the growth of cities, the rise of a new middle class, and the development of new social problems, such as poverty and pollution. -
What were some of the new technologies that were developed during the Industrial Revolution?
Some of the new technologies that were developed during the Industrial Revolution include the steam engine, the cotton gin, and the railroad. -
What were some of the social changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution?
Some of the social changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution include the growth of cities, the rise of a new middle class, and the development of new social problems, such as poverty and pollution. -
What were some of the economic changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution?
Some of the economic changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution include the growth of factories, the rise of a new class of workers, and the development of new markets. -
What were some of the cultural changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution?
Some of the cultural changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution include the rise of a new middle class, the development of new social problems, and the development of new forms of art and literature. -
What were some of the positive effects of the Industrial Revolution?
Some of the positive effects of the Industrial Revolution include the development of new technologies, the growth of the economy, and the rise of a new middle class. -
What were some of the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution?
Some of the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution include the growth of cities, the rise of new social problems, and the development of new forms of pollution. -
What is the legacy of the Industrial Revolution?
The legacy of the Industrial Revolution is still felt today. The technologies that were developed during the Industrial Revolution continue to shape our world, and the social and economic changes that occurred during the Industrial Revolution continue to influence our lives.
The Industrial Revolution was a period of great change in the way people lived and worked. It began in Great Britain in the late 18th century and spread to other parts of Europe and North America in the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution was characterized by the development of new technologies, such as the steam engine and the cotton gin, which led to the growth of factories and the rise of a new middle class. The Industrial Revolution also had a profound impact on society, as it led to the growth of cities, the rise of new Social Classes, and the development of new ideas about work and leisure.
The Industrial Revolution had a number of positive effects. It led to the development of new technologies that made life easier and more efficient. It also led to the growth of the economy and the rise of a new middle class. However, the Industrial Revolution also had a number of negative effects. It led to the pollution of the environment, the exploitation of workers, and the growth of inequality.
The Industrial Revolution was a complex event with both positive and negative effects. It is important to understand both the positive and negative effects of the Industrial Revolution in order to understand the world we live in today.
Here are some MCQs about the Industrial Revolution:
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The Industrial Revolution began in:
(a) Great Britain
(b) France
(c) The United States
(d) Germany -
The Industrial Revolution was characterized by the development of:
(a) New technologies
(b) New social classes
(c) New ideas about work and leisure
(d) All of the above -
The Industrial Revolution had a number of positive effects, including:
(a) The development of new technologies
(b) The growth of the economy
(c) The rise of a new middle class
(d) All of the above -
The Industrial Revolution also had a number of negative effects, including:
(a) The pollution of the environment
(b) The exploitation of workers
(c) The growth of inequality
(d) All of the above -
The Industrial Revolution was a complex event with both positive and negative effects. It is important to understand both the positive and negative effects of the Industrial Revolution in order to understand the world we live in today.
Do you have any other questions?