The Industrial Revolution began during the mid 1700s in Britain and soon spread to Western Europe and North America. Today it is considered as amongst the most significant periods in human history that saw radical changes in technology and social areas. However many are not convinced with the term ‘revolution’ as it suggests something violent and sudden whereas the transition had actually been gradual (Pearson Education). The core of this Industrial Revolution included a series of sensational technological breakthroughs like replacement of human work with machines, a substitution of inanimate power by steam power, and new ways of obtaining and processing raw material.
The main development of the Industrial Revolution was the use of steam as a source of power and the improvised steam engine by James Watt. Although many of these inventions and improvements were first applied to coal mining and textiles, new techniques and inventions soon spread to other fields. With the use of steam for transportation, the railroad system was developed, which led to a goods movement on a huge scale at record time. The nation soon became a common single market, while promoting further developments in the fields of iron and steel engineering, bridge construction, and communication.
The Industrial Revolution had immense implications in the areas of politics, economic and culture. The factory system emerged for the first time resulting in the production of more goods than at any time in human history. The work experience of millions of people was revolutionized with considerable improvements in income. The lifestyle of the people was also significantly altered with the industrial revolution. With new forms of transportations including airplanes, automobiles, railroads and steam ships; the travel, commerce and culture exchange became prominent. Thrift and savings were soon replaced by increased purchasing desires, led by advertisers who wanted to ensure factory orders.
In the field of communication, telephone, telegraph, radio and television; all expanded the scope of information to ordinary people while facilitating coordination among large organizations across the globe (NC State University). With the rise in the number of factories and industries, people began to move from farms to cities. This however led to newer issues like overcrowding and disease. But the agriculture sector too was seeing rapid developments, with better machines and cultivates. McCormick created the reaper that facilitated quicker and cheaper harvesting of grain. The first steel plow was developed by John Deere in 1837, which speeded up farming.
The Industrial Revolution had changed the face of nations, giving rise to urban centers which saw migration and municipal services. A new work equation was established with the workers more dependent on the employers compared to that of a rural worker. However it also brought the need of the state to protect the interests and welfare of the laborers for the first time. The Revolution served as the economic base for the emergence of newer professions and living standards, an inspiring goal for the other developing countries.
Works Cited
Pearson Education. Web. Industrial Revolution. 2012. Web. <>
NC State University. The Industrial Revolution. 2012. Web. <>
