Industrial Revolution, in modern history, the process of change from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. This process began in Britain in the 18th century and from there spread to other parts of the world. Although used earlier by French writers, the term Industrial Revolution was first popularized by the English economic historian Arnold Toynbee (1852–83) to describe Britain’s economic development from 1760 to 1840. Since Toynbee’s time the term has been more broadly applied.
Before the start of the Industrial Revolution, the production of goods was done on a very small scale. Historians refer to this method of production as the ‘cottage industry’. Simply put, the cottage industry refers to a period of time in which goods for sale were produced on a small scale, usually in a home. In this system, people produced goods, such as wool, in their homes or on their own farms and then sold it to local communities since long distance transportation was uncommon. This method of production was slow and inefficient and struggled to keep pace with the growing demand caused by the increased population. As a result, entrepreneurs and inventors sought ways to increase production, which ultimately led to the creation of the factory system. Before the start of the Industrial Revolution, the production of goods was done on a very small scale. Historians refer to this method of production as the ‘cottage industry’. Simply put, the cottage industry refers to a period of time in which goods for sale were produced on a small scale, usually in a home. In this system, people produced goods, such as wool, in their homes or on their own farms and then sold it to local communities since long distance transportation was uncommon. This method of production was slow and inefficient and struggled to keep pace with the growing demand caused by the increased population. As a result, entrepreneurs and inventors sought ways to increase production, which ultimately led to the creation of the factory system.
There were also many new developments in nonindustrial spheres, including the following:
(1) agricultural improvements that made possible the provision of food for a larger nonagricultural population,
(2) economic changes that resulted in a wider distribution of wealth, the decline of land as a source of wealth in the face of rising industrial production, and increased international trade,
(3) political changes reflecting the shift in economic power, as well as new state policies corresponding to the needs of an industrialized society,
(4) sweeping social changes, including the growth of cities, the development of working-class movements, and the emergence of new patterns of authority, and
(5) cultural transformations of a broad order. Workers acquired new and distinctive skills, and their relation to their tasks shifted; instead of being craftsmen working with hand tools, they became machine operators, subject to factory discipline. Finally, there was a psychological change: confidence in the ability to use resources and to master nature was heightened. None of these technological and societal changes would have been possible without the emergence and development of capitalism. The European empires of the 16th through the 18th centuries were empires that existed primarily to increase trade and the wealth of the European nations. During this time, powerful European nations such as Spain, Portugal, England and France participated in intense economic and exploration-based rivalries. The Age of Exploration shows this rivalry in the massive colonies that each European nation amassed, as they competed with each other for territories in the New World. At their height, these countries controlled large sections of the world as part of their vast empires.
Shoumik Das, Admin & HR Intern (2020-2021) YSSE
