Industrial Revolution: Origins, Phases, and Impact
The Industrial Revolution: Origins, Phases, and Impact
I: The Industrial Revolution – Beginning in the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution brought about the development of industrial and factory complexes, new forms of communication, and large human settlements.
I.1: The core of the revolution was the development of large-scale production based on energy sources other than human or animal power. Machines, concentrated in factories, became central to production.
I.2: Phases of the Industrial Revolution:
- First Phase – Application of steam power to machinery and transport. This stage concluded in the latter third of the 19th century.
- Second Phase – Expansion of the chemical industry, application of electric power, and development of the internal combustion engine. Electricity and oil became the new energy sources. This phase lasted from the late 19th century to World War I.
- Third Phase – Development of widespread electric power, the emergence of chemical energy, air travel, and domestic appliances. This phase continued until World War II.
- Fourth Phase – Development of aeronautics, information technology, electronics, and telecommunications.
Causes of the Industrial Revolution in the UK:
- Parliamentary monarchy (with high taxes).
- Improvements in agriculture.
- Increase in population.
- New technologies.
II.1 Base Industries
Base industries transform raw materials into intermediate products:
- Iron and Steel – Transforms minerals into metal.
- Aluminum Metallurgy – Uses bauxite as feedstock. Requires significant and inexpensive electricity, thus is typically found in developed countries.
- Heavy Chemical Industry – Processes sulfur and minerals into semi-finished products. Requires significant investment.
II.2 Equipment/Use Industries
These industries use raw materials produced by base industries to manufacture goods used for further production. The most characteristic are:
- Construction (homes)
- Mechanical (cars)
II.3 Consumer Goods Industries
These industries produce goods for direct use or consumption. Examples include:
- Textiles
- Food
- Electromechanical
- Light Chemical
- Publishing
III. Dynamic Industrial Activity
III.1 – In recent decades, industrial activity has been based on the significant technological diffusion of information, which develops new technologies (microelectronics, telephones, robotics, genetic engineering).
Consequences:
- Reduced labor costs and decentralization of labor.
- Growth of large industrial enterprises.
- Changes in industrial location.
Industrial organization involves the interplay of company capital, labor, and technology, with production aimed at generating profit in the market.
III.2 – Industrial Concentration and Integration
- Vertical Integration: Integrates various companies involved in a single production process.
- Horizontal Integration: Integrates various companies in the same activity.
Intermediate forms:
- Trust: Several companies in the same sector are under unified control to dominate the market.
- Holding Company: A finance company that participates in various companies, either fully or partially.
- Cartel: Several firms in the same sector agree to set prices and production volume.
IIII. Factors of Industrial Location
- a) Transportation costs (distance, type of vehicles, characteristics of merchandise).
- b) Market influence: Some industries, by their very nature, are located close to the consumer (e.g., dairy processing).
IIII.2 – Major Industrial Regions
- a) Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg
- b) Northwest France
- c) Northern Italy (around the Po Valley, Milan, Turin)
- d) UK
- e) USA (Northeast, Chicago, Detroit, Atlantic Coast, Pacific region of California)
- f) Japan (near port cities)
- g) Asia (recent industrialization, driven by abundant and inexpensive labor)
IIIII. Industrial Activity in Mid-19th Century Catalonia
The iron and steel industry was based on iron mines, while the textile industry in Catalonia had a long tradition in the region.