Second industrial revolution: features and inventions

The Second Industrial Revolution was a period of important industrial, social and economic changes that emerged after the first stage of the Industrial Revolution that began in Great Britain. This was developed between the years 1870 and 1914, however there are those who frame its beginning from 1850.

The second stage of the Industrial Revolution spanned various countries and led to the emergence of great industrial and economic powers such as Germany, France, the United States, and Japan.

These powers applied the new processes of industrialization, production, economic growth, technological and scientific advances, as well as the use of natural energy sources, among others.

It should be noted that there was no division of stages of the Industrial Revolution as such, although it is emphasized that there was a second moment of accelerated growth in production based on technological and scientific advances.

It was at this stage that steel mills emerged, the automotive and transportation industries developed further, and new oil, chemical and electrical industries were created.

This led to industrial, market and cross-country competitiveness, generating new economic and market models that are part of the initial globalization process.

Characteristics of the Second Industrial Revolution

The Second Industrial Revolution gave way to the emergence of Capitalism as a new economic and commercial order.

Among the main characteristics of the Second Industrial Revolution the following can be mentioned:

• As such there was no break or division of stages of the Industrial Revolution, however, there is talk of a second part given that this industrial, economic and social process expanded rapidly in various countries and led to multiple changes worldwide. Scientific studies and research began to be applied in industries. Important advances were made in the automotive and communications area. Important scientific advances were made such as Darwin's Theory and various medical advances. New sources of energy began to be used from electricity, gas and petroleum derivatives. Resources and alloys such as steel, coal or aluminum began to be used. Automated machines used in large industries appeared. The percentage of unemployment increased. Serial production as a work system. Emerged from new economic models. Expansion of markets. There were new economic and industrial powers vying for greater control of the markets, for example, Germany, the United States, and Japan.

Causes and consequences of the Second Industrial Revolution

The main causes and consequences of the Second Industrial Revolution are set out below.

Causes of the Second Industrial Revolution

The working class was largely made up of the peasants who came to the big cities in search of a better quality of life, however they lived in precarious conditions due to the low wages they received.

The causes of this second stage of the Industrial Revolution derive from the continuous technological and scientific development begun in the first stage of this revolution.

Population growth

During this stage, the world population began to grow rapidly, and it was also accompanied by a decreasing mortality rate due to the control of epidemics and various diseases.

Agrarian revolution

Although agricultural production increased, many peasants moved to the big cities in search of better jobs and quality of life, which led to higher unemployment and the reorganization of the cities.

Industry

As new energy sources and their usefulness, such as oil, gas, and electricity, were discovered, new types of industries also emerged. Even, the chemical industry was developed destined to the alloys that allowed the use of aluminum, steel, nickel, among others.

Economy

Industrial development was rapid and generated new work, economic and market models in order to obtain greater wealth and commercial control.

However, this situation led to the creation of monopolies, the discontent of the workers, the concept of capitalism took hold and, consequently, various struggles of a social and labor nature began.

Consolidation of the bourgeois class

During this time the bourgeois class was growing and greatly supported the creation of new economic and political laws and regulations to incentivize industrial production.

Consequences of the Second Industrial Revolution

In the Second Industrial Revolution, the series production process was developed, which allowed for faster and cheaper production.

The consequences of this industrial process were both positive and negative and affected the lives of citizens in general, the most important are presented below.

Of social order

There was an important demographic growth, the peasants moved to the big cities and the cities grew, especially those where there was a greater possibility of getting a job, hence the talk of a social exodus.

Consequently, the working class or proletariat arose, which led to the creation of trade union organizations that started social struggles in the search for better labor and social improvement for employees. By then, there were marked differences between social classes.

On the other hand, women began to carry out work outside the home and to claim equal rights with men.

Of economic order

A new industrial order was established that implemented series production, hence the industrial processes were faster and at a lower cost than the labor force, therefore leading to the dismissal of large numbers of employees. Series production generated increased economic gains.

This is how capitalism was born, an economic system that allowed the creation of new companies, fostered commercial competition, established new trade codes, displaced artisanal production and led to the accumulation of great wealth.

Of a political nature

A new political order was established to create laws based on the new industrialized systems, commercial mechanisms, the new social order and the rights of workers.

In this sense, the bourgeois class dominated a good part of political activity and had to face the discontent of the working class that lived in conditions of poverty. The first socialist ideals also appeared that proclaimed improvements in work and living conditions.

Inventions and advances of the Second Industrial Revolution

One of the most outstanding inventions during the Second Industrial Revolution was the telephone, which facilitated communication between people.

During the Second Industrial Revolution, important social, political, economic, scientific and technological research was carried out in order to improve people's lives.

Energy sources

Through various scientific investigations new energy sources were found that led to an important development in various areas. Thus, gas, oil and electricity began to be used.

In the area of ​​electricity, the inventors Nikola Tesla and Thomas Alva Edison stand out, the latter created the electric light bulb. Also with the discovery of petroleum and its derivatives, combustion engines began, among the researchers was the German engineer Rudolf Diesel.

Advances and technological inventions

Technological advancements included new transportation systems such as the airplane created by the Wright brothers (used in the First World War), the automobile, the electric railway, and boiler-powered boats.

Regarding communication, the creation of the telegraph by Samuel Morse, the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell, the cinematography developed by the Lumiere brothers (images without sound), and the radio stand out.

Advances and scientific inventions

In the scientific area there were also important advances, including Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution, Luis Pasteur's pasteurization and food preservation processes, and the discovery of tuberculosis by Robert Cosme.

Also, scientists discovered how to make use of certain metals such as aluminum, zinc or copper, as well as various chemical materials used in large industries to make fertilizers, including explosives.