Revolution - A great and sudden changes. The Industrial Revolution was a time of drastic change and transformation from hand tools, handmade items to machine manufactured and mass produced goods. Pollution in the atmosphere, working conditions were harmful and the number of women and children working increased to make them work for long hours with low wages.
When the Industrial Revolution started, it started in the textile industry were it was the first industry to be reformed. Cloth was woven at home taking long hours a day. One of the effects of industrialisation was the inventions of machines. Cloth was made faster which then led to more profit for the merchants. Many machines were invented and improved.
Communications and travelling were limited. Manufacturing was done by natural means such as windmills. Life was really hard. People worked hard to pay the rent and put food on the table. The Industrial Revolution was a major change in the nature of production in which machines replaced tools and steam and other energy sources replaced human and animal power. The impact of this change on society was enormous. You can say that life was generally improved but the Industrial Revolution was still very harmful.
During the early 1700s, sources of power were very limited. Textile mills, heavy machinery and the pumping of coalmines were all depending on the power of old technologies. The only sources were waterwheels, windmills and horsepower.
When the steam engine was invented, moreover when it was developed, some changes were starting to occur. Steam engines were improved as the century advanced and were put to greater and greater use. More efficient and powerful engines were being used in coalmines, textile mills and other heavy industries.
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| James Watt Steam Engine |
In the 1750s, serious problems were starting to occur in the transport system. Transportation was very important as it is one of the main factors of the Industrial Revolution. The demand for coal was growing really fast. People needed a way to transport raw materials and finished goods over long distances. Tough many mines stood close to rivers and sea, shipping of coal was slowed down due to weather problems. The demand for this essential material was growing so fast that mine and industrial owners began to finance new networks of canals. More harbours and streams were deepened to make them more navigable. Canals were built to help trade items faster and more efficiently. During the 19th century you can say that Western Europe and North America were affected, eventually most of the world was affected.
Another method of transportation was the train. The trains used coal to move. Many people could travel on the train and it was easier for manufactured goods to be delivered far away.
Looking back at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution we can see how industrialization has altered social structure. Today, modern societies are 'mass' societies, comprising cities populated by millions of people. The majority of people in an industrialized society enjoy high standards of living, voting rights, education and welfare.
References:
- Google Sites. Effects of Industrialization - Short term effects [image online] Available at: https://sites.google.com/site/effectsofindustrialization3p/short-term-effects [accessed 27th October 2013]
- Cuffley Industrial Heritage Society. Industrial Revolution [online] Available at: http://www.industrialheritage.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5:essay-about-the-industrial-revolution&catid=5:industrial-heritage&Itemid=15 [accessed 27th October 2013]
- The British Library Board. Industrialisation [online] Available at: http://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/georgians/industrial/industrialisation.html [accessed 27th October 2013]
- Scribd Inc, 2013. Industrial Revolution [online] Available at:http://www.scribd.com/doc/5561717/Industrial-revolution-essay [accessed 27th October 2013]
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