The Industrial Revolution (W. Europe & Japan)

A time of change & “progress”.More positive effects and more negative consequences at an

increasingly fast pace.

“No movement in human history did more than the Industrial Revolution to change the way people live. It has provided humanity with great benefits, and at the same time, it has destroyed people with its less fortunate consequences.”

The Industrial Revolution in W. Europe, U.S. and later Japan

(19th century)

Industrialization took place when new technology and new organization of work changed how goods were produced.

Machines using water then fossil fuel powered engines replaced people and animals as key sources of work.

New technologies increased agricultural production.

STEAM POWER from coal

From home to factoryproduction

Textile Industry in Britain: the beginning of the industrial

revolution.

Automatic processes in production led to factory systems and introduced specialization of labor that permanently changed the nature of human labor.

Iron and steel industry developed

Improvements in transportation and communication made the world “smaller.”

The Industrial Revolution brought other CHANGES in Western Europe (and later

Japan):

Urbanization Nations’ wealth and power became

increasingly dependent on industry.*

*agriculture and land control still extremely important

Social classes changed (new groups with new influence): New members of the upper and

middle class (owners, managers, skilled workers)

Urban workers

women in the work force

children in the workforce

Other CHANGES from the Industrial Revolution. . .

Patterns of urban society and family dynamics were changed forever.

For example: Public education Pace of life increased . . . Life on the clock,

less rest. Children not as dependent on their parents

HOW INDUSTRIALIZATION DESTROYED:

For the lower classes: bad working conditions

Pace of work repetitiveness and

tediousness of work lack of safety standards

in equipment and pollution

HOW INDUSTRIALIZATION DESTROYED:

For the working class: low wages little job security (even

if injured or sick)

HOW INDUSTRIALIZATION DESTROYED:

there were few laws against overuse and abuse of natural resources

HOW INDUSTRIALIZATION DESTROYED:

the early industrial economy was unstable

rapid urbanization led to problems in living conditions

RESPONSES . . . To the changes Government expanded its influence. Reforms to change problems in

industry and cities came from governments and individuals.

Workers responded in different ways- Unionization Created or joined radical groups

People offered new philosophies about economy and politics in the industrial age.