The Social Impact of the Industrial Revolution - Research Paper Example

? THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION Introduction In the of history, humans have always made advancements which influenced future events significantly. The industrial revolution was such an event, as it has resulted in the modernism and industrial progress the world is experiencing. In the contemporary world, it is possible to produce goods in a fast and efficient manner. This is because of the technological innovations present. This is in contrast with the earlier civilizations when there were no machines to make mass production of goods a possibility. With the advent of the industrial revolution, the society no longer had to rely solely on human labor and animals for production. The effects were revolutionary, since the development of machines to make production efficient changed how the society lived and operated. During the period, there were remarkable changes, which were fundamental, resulting in the revolution of crucial sectors including agriculture, transportation, manufacturing (mainly of steel and textile), social structure and economic policies among others1. This period can be referred to as a revolution, and appropriately so, since it overhauled how the society did things, but the term is contrastingly inappropriate for describing the era, since it suggests the changes were abrupt, which is not the case. The industrial revolution began in Britain, spread across Europe, Japan and North America and, consequently, to other parts of the planet2. The era was characterized by a steady growth in population due to the increase in productivity that was experienced because of the innovations realized during the eon. In addition, the average income of the population rose, and this resulted in economic transformations. There was sustainable growth realized for the masses in terms of income generated. This was a phenomenon which was never experienced in the earlier times. The developments due to the revolution necessitated the Great Britain to provide the legal and cultural foundations necessary in sustaining the advancements in the era. This was evident when entrepreneurs in the region were allowed to be pioneers of the revolution. The foundations include peace and political stability, which encourage the unification of countries, mainly England and Scotland, and the removal of the trade barriers present before bolstering of trade within the region. Advancements and reforms were also evident, the society being encouraged to adhere to the law. This made it possible for people to trade without fearing fraud or breaches of business agreements. Capitalism was also encouraged, and this led to the growth of the economy and industries – to the revolution in the economy. The 18th century transition from the economies based on manual labor and draft animals to a more machine manufacturing system changed the speed and quality of goods produced3. Textile was a crucial commodity during this period, and mechanization of the textile industry and steel manufacturing and the increasing use of refined coal bolstered productivity of the existent industries. With the production of more goods at a faster and more efficient rate, there was a need for the creation of a transportation system to complement these developments. Transport networks, including the railway, canals and roads, were enhanced. This facilitated for the movement of goods from the industries to markets, expanding the economy. With the expansion of industries, the economy shifted from agriculture and became more inclined towards industries. This led to the resettlement of individuals to the industrial centers and, consequently, the creation of urban settlements4. The use of machinery during production enabled manufacturers to produce identical goods, which were precisely made and were cheaper. For instance, gun parts were previously uniquely made to fit one gun, so they could not be reused on another. The use of machinery enabled manufacturers to duplicate the parts, making them fit in any gun of its type and making the commodity cheaper. This was mainly due to the precision that characterized machine production, allowing for the mass production of identical and quality products. Production capacity in the era was mainly a result of the utilization of the steam power, which was realized through the use of coal and water wheels as a means to power the mechanization in the industries. The use of metal to make machines bolstered production levels, since it was possible to produce other production machines. This availed more resources for industries, encouraging productivity. The increase in production machines facilitated the spread of the revolution to Western Europe and America and, consequently, globally. This encouraged industrialization, resulting in enormous societal changes. The industrial revolution occurred in two phases, with the first phase characterized by the use of the steam engine in machinery and the second one characterized by the development and employment of the modern engines using internal combustion and electricity to power machines. In both the phases, the society was experiencing changes which enhanced production levels and encouraged global economic growth. Even though the second phase resulted in better and more efficient production machines, policies and transport systems, the first phase was just as noteworthy, since it set precedence for the second phase of the revolution. Though the industrial revolution had numerous advantages, it had adverse social effects. Technological Innovations The textile industry was among the most crucial industries in the 18th century. The industry underwent a revolution with the invention of various innovations that made the process of spinning more efficient. Such innovation included the spinning jenny, the water frame and the water mule, which encompassed the two previous inventions. The widespread usage of the invention materialized when the patent was removed, resulting in the erection of cotton mills, and the technology was adopted in the spinning of flax. The invention of the steam engine by James Watt was another crucial innovation in the commencement of the industrial revolution. Though it was previously employed to pump water out of miners, it was soon adopted for other functions in machinery, resulting in the creation of semi-automated industries, which increased production significantly. The steam engine, due to its efficiency, soon became a key fixture in industries for centuries until the second phase of the industrial revolution. The use of coke in iron smelting was another notable innovation that was responsible for the fast tracking of the revolution. This is because the fuel was significantly more efficient in smelting iron than the previously sued charcoal. These innovations could be regarded as the key factors which encouraged the industrial revolution. The latter innovations set precedence for future more efficient innovations that were parented by these innovations. These innovations are crucial, especially in trying to decipher the factors which led to the social issues because of the revolution. These innovations are acknowledged as being the most important in offsetting the industrial revolution, since they encouraged the establishment of industries in Great Britain and globally. Social Effects The increase in productivity due to innovations in the industrial revolution had numerous social factors. The social structure was influenced by the revolution in that the middle class, comprising of industrialists and businessmen, finally triumphed over the previous social order that was inclined towards aristocrats and gentry. This is because wealth could be created by the common populace because of the opportunities presented by the industrial revolution. The revolution created employment opportunities for the commoners. On the downside, however, the working conditions were strict and characterized by long hours, in which the workers were expected to keep up with the pace of the machines. This was despite the meager earnings which were substantially deficient to satisfy their needs and could not provide a decent life. The creation of factories was responsible for the creation of urban settlements and cities, for example, Manchester, due to the large and steady influx of individuals seeking employment5. This influx of people in search of employment resulted in various social problems, leading to the formation of Luddites, a group of workers who protested against industrialists, mainly to enhance the conditions for the employees. Their action spurred a reaction from the industrialists, who took measures to improve these conditions – for instance, the provision of housing for the workers. Even though one of the key highlights of the industrial revolution was the increase in population, there was no improvement in the chances of child survival, despite a decrease in infant mortality. Education opportunities in the early periods of the revolution were still limited; therefore, children were expected to work6. Despite their efforts put in their labor requirements, the children were still paid less than their adult coworkers. This is because little strength was required to operate the industrial machines. This fact made the industrialists prefer child labor since it was cheaper and had the same output. This led to the social problem of the exploitation of children as cheap labor. The children were exposed to the hazards and abuses in the industries, resulting in physical and emotional harm. This led to public outcries from mainly the middle and upper class, and this resulted in change in workers’ welfare. The efforts of the lawmakers to address this were met by opposition from factory owners, who, hidden under the guise that they were aiding the poor, earned. Even though laws were later passed, there was no immediate reprieve for the situation. Housing Housing was a social problem during the industrial revolution. The living conditions in the era were significantly contrasting between the classes. The factory owners and wealthy industrialists lived in regal quarters with luxurious accommodation. This, however, was not the situation for the poor workers who lived in pathetic conditions of squalor7. The influx of workers put a strain in the available amenities, leading to the formation of slums in the industrial regions8. This was characterized by poorly constructed houses to accommodate the workers in the new industrial centers. The people lived in cramped regions in housing units that were inhumanely small. They were also required to share toilet facilities. The workers lived in dirty environments, and the hygienic conditions were unimaginable poor. The alleys in the settlements were narrow and filthy with heaped debris, and pools of gutters and offal that had a wicked stench characterized the surroundings. The conditions led to constant outbreaks of diseases like cholera. The houses seldom had artificial floors, and it is inconceivable that a person could have lived there. There were open sewers, which was a hazard, since the inhabitants were at the mercy of pathogens related to dampness. The water supply due to the drainage system was constantly contaminated, further complicating the health condition of the workers. Tuberculosis and other lung diseases were also common due to congestion and spread through the habitations, killing mainly children. The situation was, however, not dire in the case of the middle and high-income classes. These classes lived in houses that highlighted a sharp contrast between the two classes. The emerging middle class comprising of lawyers, businessmen and doctors among other professionals lived in better housing, well constructed and more spacious. The environments surrounding their settlements were also vastly different since there was better sanitation and disposal of waste9. The surroundings were cleaner as compared to the houses where the workers were located. The streets were wider and better organized, giving the surrounding an appealing appearance. Even though the living conditions of the workers changed over time, the social issue of housing was pronounced in the disparity between the classes during the industrial revolution10. Conclusion The industrial revolution was a significant occurrence in the history of humankind. This is because the event changed the social, economic and political situation globally and its impact is evident in the contemporary world. The advent of industrialization led to the migration of people to the industrial centers and, consequently, to the creation of cities. The changes, however, led to social challenges, which included housing for the workers, child labor and other social problems. These social changes have played a significant role in shaping the social situation of the modern world. Bibliography Ure, Andrew. The Philosophy of Manufactures. London: Chas. Knight, 1835. Bulliet, Richard W. The Earth and Its People: A Global History. Boston, MA: Cengage Wadsworth, 2011. Ross, Stewart. The Industrial Revolution. London: Evans, 2008. Stearns, Peter N. The Industrial Revolution in World History. Boulder, Colo: Westview, 2007. Williamson, Jeffrey G. Coping with City Growth During the British Industrial Revolution. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Read More