INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Industrial Revolution

Impact of the Industrial Revolution of British Society

Introduction

The industrial revolution consists of major, interrelated economic, technological and social change, usually dated to the period of 1760-1850 years when Britain adopted the industrial economy, based on the new machine technology and the factory system. As a result of these changes, she became the first industrial society.

Crucial features of this process were to:

(a) increased capitalist control over the labor process and significantly increase the division of labor, as well as subsequent improvements in efficiency and productivity in factories and workshops, and

(b) the invention of new machinery and upgrading of the first water power and later steam power in the mining and manufacturing industries (especially in the textile and steel industries), transport (road, river, rail, maritime). Since the industrial revolution entailed, and rapid population growth (see demographic transition), urbanization with its attendant social problems - urban poverty, poor health and lack of effective city government.

In some extent, remains controversial, or has not led the industrial revolution to an absolute decrease in the level of life in its early stages. However, one thing is clear: many categories of workers (e.g., hand-weavers), displaced by mechanization, but also be exposed to high levels of unemployment in periods of severe recession, had suffered greatly, even when, as believed by some commentators, the purpose of the new industrial society was the overall expansion of consumption and social welfare. Of course, the increased discipline, the tyranny of a new control over the process of labor and its duration met resistance from many of the workers.

Causes of the Industrial Revolution in Britain are complex and actively debated economic historians. However, all agree that with the beginning of the revolution is the ability of new industries to supply local markets and abroad, new products such as cheap cotton fabrics and household porcelain, supported a stimulus for further economic growth and social change. For the UK soon followed by other European societies and the U.S. Subsequently, some ahead of England and embarked on another period of economic and technological development (including electric power, chemical industry, as well as radio and telecommunications), sometimes referred to as the second industrial revolution. Another important question concerns the relationship between industrialization and capitalism. The first industrialization was the result of previous capitalist social relations. It is also clear that industrialization was also initiated in the socialist societies.

Thesis Statement

Regardless of class distinction, the Industrial Revolution impacted all members of society, but each level of society experienced the revolution in different ways.

Industrial Revolution and the Idea of Class

The industrial revolution is known as the period of change characterized by a significant break in Europe from the existing legacy systems. This period was marked by the bourgeois revolutions that occurred in general on this continent, and that marked the fate of contemporary history (Hobsbawm, p. 46). However, with regard to economic, social, bourgeois revolution brought a new understanding of the property that came coupled with a new machine and, therefore, a new production that was ...