Industrial Revolution: Causes, Impact, and Social Change
Industrial Revolution: Causes and Consequences
Key Terms
- Industrial Revolution: The process of slow but steady change that affected the industry in addition to other economic sectors and all groups.
- Puddling: A procedure that involves removing excess carbon in the iron to make it more resistant.
- Laminate: Proportion that allowed sheets a better handling and modeling of iron.
- Labor Movement: Collective actions undertaken by workers to improve their economic and political situation.
- Luddite: Workers who destroyed machines in protest against the employers.
- Socialism: Ideology of labor movements that emerged during that time, which defended a just society.
- Anarchism: Ideology of labor movements that emerged during that time, which defended individual liberty.
- Proletariat: New social group consisting of workers employed in the industry.
Causes of the Industrial Revolution
The Political Situation
After the revolutions of the 18th century, the interests of the landowners and the bourgeoisie were represented. Both developed an entrepreneurial mindset and passed laws that promoted economic development.The Growth of Population
During the 18th century, thanks to improved nutrition and the reduction of mortality, product demand increased, and labor was available to work in the industry.Improvements in Transport and Communications
Boosted trade and favored the formation of an internal market. Foreign trade was stimulated by British colonial domination.The Availability of Abundant Energy Resources and Minerals
Such as charcoal and iron ore.Agricultural Transformations
Known as the Agricultural Revolution, population growth pushed agriculture to provide labor to the industry and contributed capital that could be invested in the creation of factories.
The Textile Industry
There was a significantly increased demand in Britain, which encouraged technical innovation to increase production.
The Transformation Techniques
Replaced human labor with machines powered by more powerful energy sources.The Transformations in the Organization of Work
Were based on the replacement of small craft workshops with large factories. In them met a large number of machines and workers.
Demographic and Urban Changes
The Population Rose
From 140 to 300 million people between 1750 and 1870. The main cause was the decline in mortality due to various reasons.Cities
Also experienced strong growth between 1750 and 1870. The main cause was the decline in mortality due to several reasons.
World Trade
It was favored by the development of production and transport, which facilitated trade with distant places.
Industrial Capitalism
Companies and Limited Partnership
They were composed of several members.Corporations
With its capital divided into small shares of the participating administration.
The New Class Dominated: The Proletariat
The proletariat was a new social group made up of employees in industries.
The Working Conditions
Were harsh for industrial workers.The Life of the Workers
Was settled in miserable neighborhoods. The factories lacked the minimal hygienic and sanitary conditions and were not prepared to host such a high volume of people.
The Labor Movement
In the Beginning
The labor movement promoted violence against the employers and the destruction of machines, which they blamed for the loss of their jobs and low wages.In Subsequent Phases
Unions or associations of workers were created. The first workers’ associations emerged in Britain, where they received the name of Trade Unions.