Industrial Revolution - Research Paper Example

Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution that started in the mid-1700s first in England and which later swept across much of America and Western Europe is the most significant event in human history. According to Ebey Soman (2008),1 “The Industrial Revolution (1760-1851) can be defined as the period where major transformations of European agricultural, technological, and manufacturing and production capabilities had a significant impact of the social, economical and political landscape of Europe”. The Industrial Revolution was a transformation of manufacturing process which earlier was done by hand and at home to machine and factory. The Industrial Revolution saw the important inventions of spinning and weaving machines that were operated by water power. Water power was also eventually replaced by steam power. The Industrial Revolution beyond doubt transformed the economy and society of that period, resulting in the formation of a modern urban-industrial state. Mokyr (1990)2 while writing about the Industrial Revolution has rightly said: "In two centuries daily life changed more than it had in the 7,000 years before." Industrial Revolution today is remembered for the series of spectacular technological breakthroughs that took place in that period. First and foremost was the invention of mechanical devices in place of human skills. Second was the substitution of the power derived from man and animal by steam power. Third was the huge improvements made in procuring and the use of raw materials in metallurgy and chemistry. The use of steam power for transportation led to the railroad system which vastly increased the speed, amount and reliability of goods that were moved over long distances. This also helped in turning the nation into one united market. All these breakthrough inventions led to many further technical changes in the iron and steel industries, communications, bridge building and so on making the world a smaller place to live benefiting many people in the process. The Industrial Revolution proved to be of great importance to the economic development of the United States. The revolution in America saw three important developments. First one was in transportation where there was enormous expansion. With the increase in trade because of industrialization railroads gained importance. Second, there was effective harnessing of electricity. Third, there was improvement in industrial processes that refined manufacturing processes and accelerated production. As a result of industrialization the number of factories increased and people migrated from farms to cities. This resulted in overcrowding and other issues like disease. Big business drove industrialization and caused a huge imbalance between the rich and the poor. Industrialization attracted the rural population and European immigrants to cities in the U.S with the result U.S. was transformed from an agrarian to an urban society. Immigration played a big role in the success of industrialism as immigrants were ready to work as cheap labor. Politics and politicians became corrupt while trying to favor Big businesses In agriculture advances were made leading to better machines and cultivators. For instance Cyrus McCormick invented the reaper for quicker and cheaper harvesting and John Deere created the first steel plow in 1837. There was improvement in communication methods with the invention of the telegraph machine by Samuel F. B. Morse. Inventors in the US continued to work on ways to make life easier for the people and also to increasing productivity. Inventions such as the light bulb by Thomas Edison, the telephone by Alexander Bell, the automobile by Karl Benz Further and Ford’s assembly line production method that made manufacturing more efficient helped America to turn into a modern industrialized nation. According to Martin Kelly,3 “The impact of these and other inventions of the time cannot be underestimated”. The Industrial Revolution resulted in far-reaching changes that influenced and transformed culture. The consequences of the revolution changed irrevocably human labor, family structure, social structure and consumption patterns. The Industrial Revolution saw social changes, as Europe was transformed from an economy that was primarily an agricultural, rural and family-based economy to an economy that was a capitalistic, urban and an industry-based economy. This changed many concepts of social obligations as also the structure of the family. The Industrial Revolution brought about some of the most dramatic changes the world has ever seen. Other than the technological changes the Industrial Revolution had enormous effects on culture, economics, politics, and society. The advent of the factory system changed radically the working conditions. Enormous increases in productivity and the assembly line production all changed the work experience for thousands of people. This also meant substantial increase in the income of the family. Again technological advancements during the Industrial revolution made huge amounts of manufactured goods available to ordinary which in turn transformed life styles and standards of living. Laissez-faire economics, an economic philosophy, which believed that business and the economy, gained when there was no interference from the government, dominated the period of Industrial Revolution. The government played a more active role in U.S economy. However in the late 1800's the government slowly moved away from laissez-faire, and moved more towards a mixed economy in which both the government and the free market had power over the economy. In short rapid economic growth and prosperity were the main effects of the Industrial Revolution on the economy. The Industrial Revolution also altered cultural values and norms. Earlier it was difficult t to travel beyond one’s state or country. With the arrival of new ways of transportation like railroads, automobiles, steam ships and airplanes cultural exchange became possible and easier too. Improvements in communications technologies such as the telegraph, telephone, radio, television and computers expanded the range of information sources available to ordinary people. This allowed interaction between very large organizations across the world. Some cultural changes however became cause for worry. Thrift, savings, and avoidance of debt that were once considered to be fundamental virtues took the backseat after the Industrial Revolution with consumption and consumerism becoming the main focus. With many people migrating to cities, the need for living space made the buildings taller and modernized. The position of women in society improved as they started to work in factories and brought in extra income. With improvements in printing processes there was a massive expansion of newspaper and book publishing which resulted in a rise in literacy. To conclude one can say that the Industrial Revolution has shown us how to be modern either way, in a good way or otherwise by giving us so many breakthrough technologies. Joseph A. Montagna4 is right when he says, “The Industrial Revolution also provided the economic base for the rise of the professions, population expansion, and improvement in living standards and remains a primary goal of less developed nations”. References 1. Kelly Martin, The United States and the Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century, http://americanhistory.about.com/od/industrialrev/a/indrevoverview.htm 2. Mokyr, Joel (1990), quote retrieved from http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/users/p/pwhmds/indrev.html on 27/2/10 3. Montagna Joseph, The Industrial Revolution http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1981/2/81.02.06.x.html 4. Soman Ebey (2008), Cultural, Economic and Political Impacts of Industrial Revolution, http://socyberty.com/history/cultural-economic-and-political-impacts-of-industrial-revolution/ Read More