Industrial revolution definition: What is, origin, stages and causes

Industrial revolution definition

The Industrial Revolution refers to a period of major economic and social change that took place from the 18th to the 19th century in Europe and North America. It was a time of rapid industrialization, technological advances, and urbanization that transformed the way goods were produced and distributed.

The Industrial Revolution is characterized by the introduction of new manufacturing processes, such as the use of steam power, the development of machines, and the growth of factories.

These innovations led to increased productivity, lower costs of production, and the rise of mass production. The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on society, paving the way for modern economic systems, social structures, and political ideologies.

The Industrial Revolution was a process of profound economic, social, cultural and technological transformation that took place between 1760 and 1840 and originated in England.

The Industrial Revolution marked a before and after in the history of mankind. Especially because its impact extended to all areas of society.

Examples include significant progress in transport, improved productivity and rising per capita income.

In short, it meant the creation of technological and scientific innovations that represented a break with the socio-economic structures that had existed up to that time.

It became known as the First Industrial Revolution after a new industrial revolution, known as the Second Industrial Revolution, took place years later. The 20th and 21st centuries saw the Third Industrial Revolution and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, respectively.

Before continuing, and as a curious fact, it is worth noting that advertising as a discipline originated on this date.

Origins of the Industrial Revolution

The origins of the Industrial Revolution can be traced back to the late 18th century in Britain, although there were earlier developments in other parts of Europe. The factors that led to the Industrial Revolution include:

Agricultural Revolution: The Agricultural Revolution of the 18th century led to an increase in food production and a surplus of labor. This surplus labor force, in turn, fueled the growth of industry.

Technological Advances: There were several important technological advances during this time, such as the steam engine, spinning jenny, power loom, and cotton gin, which greatly increased efficiency and productivity in manufacturing.

Access to Capital: Britain had a well-developed banking system that provided entrepreneurs with access to capital to invest in new businesses and technologies.

Natural Resources: Britain had abundant natural resources, such as coal and iron, which were essential for manufacturing.

Transportation Infrastructure: The development of canals, roads, and railroads made it easier to transport goods and raw materials, enabling the growth of industry.

Overall, the combination of these factors created an environment that was ripe for industrialization, and Britain was able to take advantage of these conditions to become the world's first industrialized nation.

Causes of the Industrial Revolution

There were several causes of the Industrial Revolution, including:

Technological advancements

The development of new machines and manufacturing techniques, such as the steam engine, spinning jenny, power loom, and cotton gin, increased efficiency and productivity in manufacturing.

Access to capital

The rise of banks and other financial institutions provided entrepreneurs with access to the capital needed to invest in new businesses and technologies.

Natural resources

The availability of natural resources, such as coal, iron, and timber, enabled the growth of industry.

Transportation infrastructure

The construction of canals, roads, and railroads made it easier to transport goods and raw materials, facilitating the growth of industry.

Population growth

The population of Europe and North America was increasing rapidly, creating a large labor force that was needed to work in the factories.

Urbanization

As industry grew, people moved from rural areas to urban centers to work in factories, which further fueled industrialization.

Colonialism

European powers established colonies around the world, which provided access to new markets, resources, and labor.

Overall, the Industrial Revolution was the result of a complex set of factors that came together to create a period of rapid industrialization and social change.

Among the most important causes of the First Industrial Revolution were the following:

Political causes

With one hand, the bourgeois revolution of the 17th century had triumphed, bringing about the abolition of the feudal system. The system was based on a monarchy that had discarded the absolutism found in other European countries.

As a result, England experienced a period of stability, with no revolutionary upheavals and greater civil liberties.

Socio-economic causes

On the other hand, England enjoyed a situation of abundant capital, given its commercial supremacy. Control of trade with the colonies led to a process of concentration of capital in the hands of a few businessmen. The fortunes that originated in the trade of products such as tea, tobacco and even slaves were important.

Equally important was the existence of an abundant labor force. The innovations that took place in the countryside led to an increase in productivity, which meant that more food could be produced. This process became known as the agricultural revolution, resulting in an increase in population.

This increase in population meant, in turn, an increase in available labor that was not productive in the countryside. This led to a significant rural exodus with the transfer of large numbers of people from the countryside to the cities. This displaced population would become a pool of available labor for industrial work.

Geographical causes

The existence of certain raw materials in the territory of England also facilitated the process. Iron and coal were instrumental in enabling the development and spread of innovations such as the steam engine.

Moreover, as an island territory, it was at an advantage in terms of international trade in its products thanks to the steamship.

Consequences of the Industrial Revolution

Just like the causes that led to the Industrial Revolution, the consequences were felt in different areas. Thus, in summary, the consequences of the First Industrial Revolution can be divided into three blocks.

Mechanization of labor and large factories

Mechanized production led to a decline in craftsmanship. This new form of production meant that workshops were displaced by large manufacturing centres. This, in turn, led to an increase in the production of different types of products, especially textiles.

Changes in economic structure and society

With the expansion of large industrial production centers, a new social class was created: the industrial proletariat. The characteristics of these workers, concentrated in these spaces, broke with the nature of the workers of earlier times.

In the emergence of this class and its peculiar working and living conditions we can trace the origin of trade unionism and new ideologies, such as socialism. 

Urban sprawl and rural exodus

On the other hand, cities began to grow in a very significant way. If the arrival of the rural population in the cities was one of the causes of it, this phenomenon multiplied later on. At the same time as the mechanization of the countryside went hand in hand with the introduction of new technologies, the surplus labor force increased.

As a consequence, the rural exodus to industrial areas changed the structure and size of the cities. This meant that living conditions, especially from a hygienic and sanitary perspective, were very precarious. Many people lived in small spaces in an environment where services, such as sewerage and access to drinking water, were deficient, which led to major health problems.

Characteristics of the Industrial Revolution

Based on the causes, consequences and the whole development of the First Industrial Revolution, we can establish different characteristics:

1. Large increase in mechanized production.
2. Changes in the social structure.
3. Unprecedented economic and industrial expansion.
4. Increased productivity, thanks to advances in technology.
5. Major improvements in means of transport.
6. Strong increase of the urban population, to the detriment of the rural population.
7. Changes in consumption habits.
8. Transformation of the productive structure.
9. Transition from the primary to the secondary sector. Above all, textiles and metallurgy.
10. Boosting coal as the main energy source.

The Industrial Revolution was characterized by several key features:

1. Mechanization and Automation: The development of machines and manufacturing techniques, such as the spinning jenny, power loom, and steam engine, increased productivity and efficiency in manufacturing.
2. Factory System: The growth of factories allowed for mass production of goods and the specialization of labor.
3. Urbanization: As people moved from rural areas to urban centers to work in factories, cities grew rapidly and new forms of urban life emerged.
4. Transportation Infrastructure: The construction of canals, roads, and railroads made it easier to transport goods and raw materials, facilitating the growth of industry.
5. Capitalism: The Industrial Revolution led to the growth of capitalism, with entrepreneurs investing in new businesses and technologies and seeking to maximize profits.
6. Division of Labor: The specialization of labor allowed workers to focus on specific tasks, leading to increased efficiency and productivity.
7. New Sources of Energy: The use of new sources of energy, such as coal and steam, enabled factories to operate more efficiently and increased the pace of industrialization.

Overall, the Industrial Revolution was a period of major economic and social change that transformed the way goods were produced and distributed, leading to the development of modern economic systems, social structures, and political ideologies.

Inventions of the Industrial Revolution 

The most important inventions of the it include the following:

• Spinning machine (1767).
• Steam engine (1769).
• Steamboat (1787).
• Railway (1814).
• Bicycle (1817).
• Typewriter (1829).

The First Industrial Revolution in France and other European countries

With all these elements, it was a real turning point in the history of mankind.

Western societies and a large part of the world are directly influenced by this phenomenon, which brought about unprecedented changes. The economy, means of transport and communication, and even social structures would not be the same if England had not hosted that revolution.

Proof of this was the spread of it in Europe, especially in countries such as France. Although it developed slowly and gradually throughout the 19th century, it generated major transformations in the French economy.

Stages of the Industrial Revolution

After the First Industrial Revolution (1760-1840), successive stages can be established that led to changes in other areas.

Why did the industrial revolution start?

The Industrial Revolution started for several reasons:

1. The development of new machines and manufacturing techniques, such as the steam engine, spinning jenny, power loom, and cotton gin, greatly increased efficiency and productivity in manufacturing.
2. The rise of banks and other financial institutions provided entrepreneurs with access to the capital needed to invest in new businesses and technologies.
3. Britain had abundant natural resources, such as coal and iron, which were essential for manufacturing.
4. The construction of canals, roads, and railroads made it easier to transport goods and raw materials, facilitating the growth of industry.
5. The population of Europe and North America was increasing rapidly, creating a large labor force that was needed to work in the factories.
6. As industry grew, people moved from rural areas to urban centers to work in factories, which further fueled industrialization.
7. Britain had a stable government and legal system, which provided a favorable environment for business and innovation.

Overall, the combination of these factors created an environment that was ripe for industrialization, and Britain was able to take advantage of these conditions to become the world's first industrialized nation.

How did the industrial revolution change society

The Industrial Revolution was a period of rapid industrialization and technological advancement that transformed the way goods were produced and distributed, leading to profound changes in society. Here are some of the ways in which the Industrial Revolution changed society:

• Urbanization: The growth of industry led to a massive influx of people from rural areas to urban centers, resulting in the growth of cities and the emergence of new forms of urban life. Urbanization brought with it new challenges, such as overcrowding, pollution, and social unrest, but it also created new opportunities for economic and social advancement.
• Division of Labor: The specialization of labor and the growth of factories led to the creation of new jobs and the emergence of a new working class. Workers were now employed in large-scale industrial production, with each person performing a specific task in the manufacturing process.
• Rise of Capitalism: The Industrial Revolution led to the growth of capitalism, with entrepreneurs investing in new businesses and technologies and seeking to maximize profits. The emergence of a capitalist economy transformed the nature of work and created new social classes, with the wealthy capitalists at the top and the working class at the bottom.
• Technological Advances: The development of new machines and manufacturing techniques greatly increased efficiency and productivity in manufacturing. This led to the mass production of goods and a decrease in the cost of production, making goods more affordable and accessible to the general population.
• Social Changes: The Industrial Revolution led to significant social changes, including the growth of the middle class, the rise of consumer culture, and the emergence of new social and political ideologies. The growth of industry also led to the development of new forms of transportation, communication, and entertainment, transforming the way people lived and worked.
• Environmental Impact: The Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on the environment, with the growth of industry leading to pollution and environmental degradation. The use of fossil fuels and the release of pollutants into the air and water led to significant health risks and environmental damage.

Overall, the Industrial Revolution was a period of profound change that transformed the way people lived, worked, and interacted with each other and the environment. While it brought about many positive changes, such as increased productivity and economic growth, it also brought about many challenges, such as social inequality and environmental degradation, that are still being felt today.