The second industrial revolution refers to the time period of 1870s and 1880’s, which profoundly altered the European life. The major innovations of the second industrial revolution include the widespread use of steel and electricity in the industries, the perfection of mass production technology, the rise of technical education in colleges and universities and the growth of a new professional class in the society . It was a period of centralized management and control, which integrated the means of production, distribution and marketing of goods. The second industrial revolution resulted in the establishment of urban factories that drove the population from the rural villages and towns to the urban cities. The new inventions revolutionized the communications and the transportation sector.
The European domination over the world would have been impossible without the technological advances of the second industrial revolution. Industrial advances during the second industrial revolution increased the pay and decreased the working hours, thereby allowing the Europeans to consume more material goods and enjoy more leisure than ever before . The communication system connected Europe to the rest of the world. Telegrams and telephones had a great impact on the government, industry and private life of the Europeans. Harnessing electricity through electric motors eliminated the dangerous use of belts and pulleys that connected steam engines to machinery. The second industrial revolution transformed the lives of the people living in villages as they migrated to cities in search of better wages and a more excited life.
Throughout Europe, cities, such as Budapest, Madrid, Rome and Hamburg grew impressively. The second industrial revolution saw an increase in the number of white-collar positions. On the other hand, the First Industrial Revolution was a period of accelerated structural change in the economy, involving a rapid rise in the industrial output through the use of machines . One of the most significant developments of the First Industrial Revolution was the cotton gin, which revolutionized the textile industry. While the First Industrial Revolution was a mechanical revolution, the Second Industrial Revolution was a technological revolution. The First Industrial Revolution gave rise to textiles, iron, coal and railroads, while the Second Industrial Revolution saw developments in steel, petroleum, electricity, chemicals and many others . The desire to improve the working and living conditions of the workers led to the formation of trade unions and socialist parties.
The Second Industrial Revolution led to a new elite society called the middle class, which included doctors, lawyers, engineers, architects and members of the civil services. It also opened the door to new jobs for women. The First Industrial Revolution led to major political changes and new liberties in Europe. The two political parties, the Whigs and the Tories dominated English politics during this period. Industrial revolution emphasized individualism and natural economic law, supporting the ideas of a planned economy and social cooperation. England paralleled an incomparable degree of political liberty with economic and social reforms, avoiding the extremes of the industrial revolution . However, political upheaval, wars, fluctuations in imports and exports resulted in unemployment and widespread distress. Technological improvements mobilized the factors of production, namely, land, labor and capital. During the First Industrial Revolution, there was a mutual dependence between industry and commerce; however, the inadequate communication system could not bring buyers and sellers together . By the Second Industrial Revolution, the situation changed dramatically with technological advancements in communications.
The First Industrial Revolution saw changes in the tools used in agriculture, spinning and weaving, which did not require much capital. However, the Second Industrial Revolution required enormous capital due to the use of sophisticated machinery, expansion of mining, transportation and construction of cities . Railroads and steamship lines were so expensive that only the governments could finance them. The second Industrial Revolution led to the establishment of banks, which offered finance to the industries. The first industrial revolution destroyed the old division of society into clergy, nobility and commoners into an agrarian society dominated by land-owning and labor controlling aristocracy . On the contrary, the Second Industrial Revolution transformed the agrarian society into an industrial society. While the First Industrial Revolution increased the rate and severity of accidents at work, the industrial power equipment used during the Second Industrial Revolution raised the need of factory safety requirements.
The artisans, who are a key to the industrialization process and responsible for all kinds of manufacturing had to use simple tools during the first industrial revolution However, the innovations during the second industrial revolution transformed the lives of the artisans who expanded their operations to become factory entrepreneurs by replacing traditional methods with powered equipment . The number of artisans increased during the second industrial revolution for the new urban cities required jewelers, bakers and carpenters. The artisans were a part of the social movements, labor reforms and educational gains during the period of industrialization.
Works Cited
Mokyr, Joel. The British Industrial Revolution: An Economic Perspective, 2nd Ed. Westview Press, 2008.
More, Dr. Charles. Understanding the Industrial Revolution. Routledge, 2002.
Simpson, William and Jones, Martin. Europe, 1783-1914. Psychology Press, 2000
