The Late 18th Century Industrial Revolution: The Beginnings of the Machine-Based Modern World
The Industrial Revolution that began in England at the end of the 18th century was a major ch... See more
The Late 18th Century Industrial Revolution: The Beginnings of the Machine-Based Modern World
The Industrial Revolution that began in England at the end of the 18th century was a major change in the way humans produced goods.
The impact is still felt today.
Background to the Industrial Revolution
Before the 18th century, production of goods was still done manually in homes or small workshops.
Several factors made England the first country to experience industrialization:
1. Abundant natural resources.
2. Political and legal stability.
3. Colonies and global trade.
4. Advancement of science.
This combination of factors allowed England to lead the industrial revolution before other countries followed suit.
Important Figures and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution did not happen in one day.
1. James Watt's 1769 Steam Engine
The invention of the efficient steam engine allowed factories to no longer depend on water or wind power.
2. Spinning and Weaving Machines
James Hargreaves created the Spinning Jenny, Richard Arkwright created a water-powered spinning machine, and Edmund Cartwright invented the mechanical loom.
3. Trains and Steamships
George Stephenson developed the steam locomotive.
4. Steel Making Process
The Bessemer process allows mass steel production at lower costs.
The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on the World
The changes brought by the industrial revolution were very fundamental and occurred in various fields.
1. Changes to the Production System
Production moved from homes to factories.
2. Changes in Social Structure
Two new social classes emerged, namely factory-owning capitalists and factory workers.
3. Economic Growth
Productivity increases sharply.
4. Changes in Transportation and Communication
Railroads, steamships, and later the telegraph made the distribution of goods and the dissemination of information much faster.
5. Initial Negative Impact
Working conditions in the early factories were very poor.
The Spread of the Industrial Revolution to the World
After England, the Industrial Revolution spread to Belgium, Germany, France, and the United States in the early 19th century.
Each country adapts to the resources it has.
Conclusion
The Industrial Revolution of the late 18th century in England was a turning point in human civilization.
Industrialization which started from small textile factories in England later became a global movement that shaped the modern world.
The Industrial Revolution proved that one change in technology could change the entire economic and social structure of the world within one generation.
The Late 18th Century Industrial Revolution: The Beginnings of the Machine-Based Modern World
The Industrial Revolution that began in England at the end of the 18th century was a major ch... See more
The Industrial Revolution that began in England at the end of the 18th century was a major ch... See more
