Meaning of industrial revolution (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Industrial Revolution:

The Industrial Revolution or the First Industrial Revolution is called the historical period in which a set of radical changes in the methods of production of goods was experienced, and which generated new economic and social dynamics among individuals.

Causes of the Industrial Revolution

The steam engine, a fundamental invention to drive the Industrial Revolution.

The First Industrial Revolution began in England in 1760 and from there it spread to other countries in Western Europe and to the United States of America, until 1840.

The industrial revolution marked the transition from a rural economy, based fundamentally on agriculture, but also characterized by the predominance of trade and manual production of goods, to an urban, industrialized and mechanized economy.

These changes were caused by the need to look for new production methods in the 18th century, coupled with the scientific advances of the time, which led to the invention of new technologies for the improvement of production systems.

Another cause that fueled the Industrial Revolution has to do with the many warlike conflicts that arose in Europe in the 18th century, such as the Napoleonic Wars, led by Napoléon Bonaparte in France, and which prompted various nations to develop production methods that allow them access to resources that were now scarce, such as food and textiles.

In Great Britain, the exploitation of coal with industrial techniques was a determining factor in promoting the invention of the steam engine, created by James Watt, and its application in industry and transport would completely change the economic and social panorama of an entire epoch.

On the other hand, the discovery of electrical energy and the internal combustion engine in the 19th century contributed to the expansion of the First Industrial Revolution.

See also: Modernity.

Consequences of the Industrial Revolution

Economic development driven by the Industrial Revolution brought about demographic and environmental changes, especially in large cities.

The advances brought about by the Industrial Revolution introduced changes in all areas of life at the time. Among the most outstanding characteristics of this time, the following stand out:

• Multiplication of production in relation to production time. Evolution in means of transport: appearance of steam ships and railroads. Expansion of trade thanks to new means of transport. Multiplication of wealth, increase in GDP. the industrial bourgeoisie, a class made up of the owners of the means of production. Migrations from the countryside to the city: growth of the urban population. Appearance of a new social class: the proletariat, made up of the workers and workers. Birth of the social question.Advances in medicine and hygiene, and consequent increase in population. Environmental deterioration, degradation of the landscape and destruction of the land. Creation of the concept of serial production and mass consumption. Development and expansion of capitalism.

See also: 10 characteristics of capitalism.

Stages of the Industrial Revolution

18th century engraving by British artist William Hogarth called " Industry and Idleness ", a satire on the deepening social differences with industrialization.

It coincides in pointing out two stages in the industrial revolution, each characterized by the introduction of new technologies that had a great impact on the production of goods and, therefore, on the economy:

• The first stage of the Industrial Revolution: it extends from the mid-eighteenth century to the first half of the nineteenth century, characterized by the introduction of the steam engine into manufacturing processes. The second stage of the Industrial Revolution: from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the First World War, in 1914, it was distinguished by the application of innovations such as electric power and the internal combustion engine in the manufacture of goods.

The industrial revolution meant not only the economic and technological take-off of the main European and United States powers, it was also the cause of innumerable social injustices, such as unequal exchanges between the bourgeoisie and the working class (exploitation of the proletariat) and the rise of ideologies and revolts. social that they tried to turn the situation around. Hence, the justification of communism, socialism and anarchism, as well as protest movements that managed to slowly, but gradually, conquer better conditions for workers.

See also:

• Second industrial revolution. 13 characteristics of communism.