The Industrial Revolution refers to the major changes in modes of productions in agriculture, industry and transport that started in Britain in the last quarter of the 18th century and spread outside into the continental Europe and as far as the United States and Japan over the subsequent times. With technical and mechanical innovations such as Watt’s steam engine, labour-based productions were highly mechanized. This led to large-scale factory productions of fine quality through division of labour. The revolution enabled the capitalist countries to achieve immense economic growth. It also encouraged technological innovations and transfer of knowledge.
The revolution staned with the mechanization of the cotton and woollen industries in Lancashire, central Scotland and the West Riding of Yorkshire in its first phase and continued to expand with the mechanization of heavier industries (iron and steel) in its second phase, often known as the Second Industrial Revolution that took place around 1850. Eventually the revolution merged into post-industrial society also known as the age of information technology, digitalization and globalization. The industrial revolution continues to exist as industrialization in different countries in our times in various levels and modes.
Many factors favoured Britain to have the revolutionary changes in modes of production first ever in the world. Without technological innovations, industrial revolution would not take place. Britain was the centre of the Scientific Revolution taking place roughly between 1500 and 1700, which made these innovations possible. Britain’s vast overseas colonies made abundant supply of both financial and natural resources. It could also have wide domestic and international market for its Productions. Besides, there prevailed huge unemployed workforce as well as a stable political stability following the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Moreover, the British people were more receptive to changes than other nationals of the contemporary World. The government policy of providing grant of patent monopoly to inventors encouraged many inventions.
Industrialization influenced every aspect of life. It made possible both ‘the conquest of nature’ and ‘betterment of the species’. Resources were extensively utilized and earning opportunities grew very much. Per capita income rose more than ever before. Railways and roadways networks were extensively mechanized. With the support from new transport and communication systems trade expanded tremendously. Mass production ensured low price and quality of goods. Work was faster and time was saved. New innovations continued. Farming was easier and production was high. People’s quest for knowledge and political rights was encouraged.
Along with new dimensions in earning and production, Industrial Revolution brought several disappointments. Child labour was widespread. Children worked in terrible conditions. Mechanization brought threat to many people’s jobs and their dissatisfaction often took the form of protests and violence. Those who invested earned well and lived in tremendous luxury while those ordinary workers toiled in very poor conditions such as those in coal mines. Such economic effects paved the way for Marxism: the basis for communist movements. In addition, the environment was highly polluted due to waste, sewage, chemical releases. harsh Sound, chimney discharges, etc. Literary movement known 85 Known as romanticism also started against the harsh machines and factories. Thus the Industrial Revolution gave mixed results.
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