The Industrial Revolution Consisted in the process of changing from an agricultural and artisanal economy to one dominated by industry and machinery to carry out manufacturing processes. This process of change began in the British Isles in the eighteenth century and from there spread to other parts of the world.
The term"Industrial Revolution"was coined by French writers of the eighteenth century and was soon adopted and popularized in England by the writer Arnold Toynbee , Who used it to describe the situation and development of the British economy between 1760 and 1840. Since then, the term began to be widely accepted (Britannica, 2017).
The Industrial Revolution affected the way societies operated, mobilizing their economic, social and political ideals.
In this way, it was always sought to favor the interests of the industry, to contribute to the specialization of labor, to optimize productive times and to distribute wealth differently (Deane, 2000).
What was the stage of the Industrial Revolution?
It can be said that, the process of revolution was divided into two stages. The first one started from the changes in British industry during the eighteenth century, these changes being the ones that mobilized the ideals of all Europe.
The second stage of the revolution took place later in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when industry began to explore new materials, fuels, processes and how to systematize all processes.
The First Industrial Revolution
This first stage of the revolution took place between the years 1760 and 1830 and was confined exclusively to Great Britain.
Being aware of the changes they were facing, the British banned the export of machinery, skilled labor and manufacturing techniques. In this way, they monopolized the market and took advantage of the economic advantage derived from this situation.
The Industrial Revolution arrived in many countries of Europe at the hands of British. The first countries to join this first revolution were Belgium and France.
However, in France the adoption of this model was slower, since the country was facing its own revolution during the same time. Despite this, by the year 1848, France was an industrial power, after the British (Hackett, 1992).
The Second Industrial Revolution
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the ideals of the first Industrial Revolution still prevailed in the most industrialized countries.
However, new trends appeared during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that encouraged the use of new materials and the implementation of more modern industries.
The exploitation of synthetic resources took place within this historical moment. Also, they were exploited lighter metals, new alloys, Synthetic materials Such as plastic and new sources of energy.
The combination of these materials and trends allowed the development of new machines and tools, such as the computer, which allowed the automation of factories and therefore of industries.
Although some segments of the industry were fully mechanized from the early to mid-nineteenth century, automation of all industrial assembly operations was first achieved during the second half of the twentieth century.
The tenure of the means of production underwent some changes during this time. The oligarchy of productive means, characteristic of the revolution during the nineteenth century, gave way to a broader distribution of property with the emergence of individual shares and titles of ownership over industries.
In this way, private individuals and organizations could become shareholders and minority owners of different companies.
During the first half of the twentieth century, many European countries socialized some basic sectors of their economies.
During this period, the liberal ideals that dominated economies and societies after the revolution were changed by ideals that sought to favor the needs of more complex industrial societies (Museum, 2017).
Technological changes
Among the most significant events related to the Industrial Revolution is the emergence of technological, socio-economic and cultural changes. Technological changes included the following:
1- The use of new materials and raw materials, mainly iron and steel.
2- The use of new sources of energy, including fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline. Electricity and steam also appeared as forms of combustion necessary for the operation of the mechanisms of the time. Internal combustion engines are developed for the first time.
3- The invention of new machines, such as the spinneret and the mechanical loom, that allowed to optimize the production with smaller human labor.
4- A new organization of work appeared, known as the factory system, which encouraged the division of the labor force and specialization in specific functions.
5- Changes and development of new means of transport and communication, including the steam locomotive, the automobile, the airplane, the telegraph and the radio.
6- The increase in the application of science in industry (BBC, 2014).
All these technological changes led to the fact that natural resources were consumed to a greater extent, since they had to meet the needs of the mass production models prevailing until today (McNeese, 2000).
Other Changes
There were also several changes in other spheres other than technological. Some of them, were:
Changes and improvements in processes related to agriculture
In this way, it was possible to provide food to a larger number of people who lived in other areas where agriculture was not practiced.
Economic changes that resulted in a wider distribution of wealth
The land ceased to be the greatest source of wealth as industrial production gained more value. This is how the foundations for a stronger and more stable international trade are laid.
Political changes reflected in changing the orientation of economic powers
New state policy strategies were implemented in the most industrialized countries in order to encourage the existence of productive societies and meet the needs of emerging industries.
Social changes
They were overwhelming, highlighting the growth of cities, the development of working class movements and the emergence of new patterns and models of authority.
Broader cultural transformations
This is how workers acquired new distinctive skills, and manage them as they related to their changing tasks.
Now, instead of being artisans working with hand tools, they became machine operators subject to the rules and discipline of the factories.
References
- (2014). KS3 Bitesize. Retrieved from"An 'Industrial Revolution': bbc.co.uk.
- Britannica, T.E. (May 2, 2017). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from Industrial Revolution: britannica.com.
- Deane, P.M. (2000). The First Industrial Revolution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Goloboy, J.L. (2008). Industrial Revolution: People and Perspectives. Santa Barbara: ABC Clio.
- Hackett, L. (1992). World History Center. Retrieved from"Industrial Revolution: history-world.org".
- McNeese, T. (2000). The Industrial Revolution. Dayton: Milliken Publishing Group.
- Museum, T. o. (2017). British Museum. Retrieved from"The Industrial Revolution and the changing: britishmuseum.org".