One of the most significant transformations that greatly affected humankind and the economy was the Industrial Revolution. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the development of new machinery revolutionized production methods. These remarkable changes resulted in the development of goods production methods and transportation infrastructures. Before the Industrial Revolution, goods were produced using basic technology and hand tools in houses and neighbourhood workshops.
The family was critical to the production and sale of the goods. Because of the lifestyle’s relative difficulty, people chose to make household goods and products. However, the development of cutting-edge technologies revolutionized Britain’s manufacturing sector. Moving from rural to urban regions in search of a better life was another feature of the Industrial Revolution.
Powered equipment made industrial processes more efficient, encouraging the expansion of factories and the mass production of commodities. This situation brought about a lot of positive effects for society as well as several social issues, hardship and societal discord. The essay sheds light on how the industrial revolution affected people’s lives, paying particular attention to influencers like Adam Smith, James Watt, and Wedgwood.
Before the industrial revolution, agricultural societies powered large machines using windmills and water wheels. In the early 1700s, new technologies swiftly replaced the old machinery. A significant development for rural culture during this period was the development and use of the first steam engine to pump water. James Watt created a new steam engine in 1782 to power factory machinery. Numerous scientific and technical advancements enhanced Britain’s economic situation and citizens’ quality of life.
The railway building, which allowed people to travel from their native small villages to more urbanized areas, was another significant feature of the Industrial Revolution. As more people moved into cities, there was a rising need for amenities like housing, sanitation, and entertainment areas. Many were unhappy due to this circumstance since they were ill-equipped to cope with the new urban lifestyle. The confined, unhygienic spaces typical of the country lifestyle set it apart from city life. Factory owners understood a growing demand to develop residential homes quickly to accommodate people due to the increased migration from rural to urban areas. In the cities, back-to-back houses that shared a wall with a factory or another building started to be typical.
These construction methods frequently needed drainage systems and were crowded. As a result, people didn’t have much information about germs. Thus, diseases like cholera, typhus, and typhoid spread widely among city dwellers. For instance, between 1830 and 1867, a cholera outbreak struck Britain due to sewage runoff contaminating the water, which resulted in several fatalities. Over 7,000 people died in London between 1831 and 1832. The working class, considered poor, developed tuberculosis at a higher rate than the general population due to a poor diet, cramped living conditions, and moisture. In addition, city residents’ lung issues increased due to air pollution from industrial gases and effluents.
The living conditions were far better than the working conditions in the cities. As factories sprang up quickly during the Industrial Revolution, people in rural areas stopped being their employers and started working for them. The development and application of machines to most tasks that once required human labour led to the displacement of worker roles. As a result, the working class was compelled to support themselves by running, maintaining, or refuelling this industrial machinery, which was a taxing job.
As a result of inadequate urban policing, worrisome levels of poverty and despair, and increased crime, overcrowding in jails and prisons followed. Beginning in the early 19th century, more judges were available to address complaints and issue warrants to arrest criminals. This circumstance gave rise to a different problem that the middle class had to deal with. Due to the increase in industrial slums in the cities’ environs, this group was afraid of crime. The middle class became anxious and started protest activities against the urban slums. Increased prosecution rates resulted from this circumstance, and most working-class members could not pay them.
Adam Smith, the “father of capitalism,” was instrumental in reshaping the British economy. The Scottish philosopher held that people frequently exhibited self-interest, mainly regarding economic issues. He pushed the British government to promote free markets and trade in various instances and these ideas later emerged as the hallmarks of modern capitalism. Following the Industrial Revolution, many people toiled in mines and factories for a few pence a day.
Factory owners took advantage of the lower-class people who merely needed a few pennies to survive. Smith established that labour, manufactured goods, and agricultural outputs together made up a nation’s wealth to refute this motivation. As a result, for a country to increase its economic output, it had to ensure the division of labour. Workers began to specialize in various occupations. According to the philosopher, everyone would benefit from a free market because there would be no government involvement in company decisions. This included persons from disadvantaged backgrounds.
But around this time, child labour started to pose a severe hazard. In fact, during the Industrial Revolution, children made up nearly 80% of the labour force. If accidents happened in manufacturing, they were simple to replace and quick to hire for employers. Due to their disadvantaged upbringing, several affluent factory owners offered food and shelter for kids in exchange for labour. Additionally, recruiting kids was less expensive than hiring adults. However, this circumstance puts kids at risk for factory mishaps. Children continued to work in these factories, generation after generation because there were no laws protecting them.
Numerous commodities, especially luxury goods, were only available to the privileged members of society due to the social and economic changes brought on by more incredible agricultural innovation, proto-industrial activity, and the expansion of international trade. However, when more people moved into cities, they had more access to luxury items, which eventually trickled down to the middle class. Therefore, the merchant wanted to exploit the market and the rising demand.
Due to this circumstance, regional goods were created to compete with imports from other nations. Due to increased technological advancement during this time, the manufacturing of ceramic goods improved. Josiah Wedgwood, in particular, fueled the eighteenth-century demand in England for porcelain goods, such as tableware and decorative items. His involvement and actions in the market for luxury goods helped others recognize the sector’s significance. Most individuals preferred to work for pay in factories due to improved agricultural innovations, which accelerated rural-urban migration. As a result, the need for excellent goods that set some people apart from the rest of society grew. Eating behaviours evolved for the middle class. For instance, introducing Chinese tea sparked the growth of teaware, tearooms, and tea breaks.
Sociological changes during the era
Industrialization profoundly impacted the social class structure, leading to significant societal changes.
With the rise of factories and mass production, a new social class, the industrial working class or the proletariat, emerged. This class consisted of manual labourers who worked in factories, mines, and other industrial settings. They often faced harsh working conditions, low wages, and long hours, forming the lowest stratum of the social class structure.
Industrialization also gave rise to a middle class, which comprised professionals, managers, skilled workers, and entrepreneurs. This class benefited from the expanding industrial economy and enjoyed a higher standard of living than the working class. They often held white-collar jobs and had greater social mobility.
As industrialization progressed, there was a shift from agrarian-based economies to industrial economies. This led to a decline in the agricultural class, as traditional farming methods were replaced by machinery and large-scale farming practices. Many individuals from rural areas migrated to cities in search of factory employment, contributing to the growth of the working class.
Another creation was in the form of significant wealth distribution disparities. The capitalist system, which accompanied industrialization, allowed small individuals to accumulate vast wealth by owning industries and businesses. This resulted in a widening wealth gap between the wealthy elite and the working class, leading to increased social inequality. However, industrialization also created opportunities for upward social mobility. Education became more accessible, and lower-class individuals could acquire skills and education to improve their social standing. The middle class, in particular, experienced upward mobility as individuals moved from lower-class backgrounds into professional and managerial positions. It challenged traditional social hierarchies based on birthright and land ownership. The influence of nobility and aristocracy declined as wealth and status became more closely tied to industrial and commercial success. Economic power and meritocracy began to replace inherited social status as the primary determinants of social standing.
The industrial working class often developed a sense of solidarity and recognized shared interests in improving their conditions. They organized strikes, protests, and collective actions to exert pressure on employers and governments. These movements aimed at immediate improvements and fostered the development of broader political ideologies, such as socialism and communism, which sought to address the underlying issues of inequality and class exploitation. Over time, societal and political pressure led to the introduction of social reforms and workers’ rights. Governments enacted legislation to protect workers, including establishing minimum wage laws, limitations on working hours, workplace safety regulations, and recognizing labour unions. These reforms helped improve the lives and working conditions of industrial workers.
It’s important to note that the impact of industrialization on the social class structure varied across countries and regions, depending on factors such as the pace of industrialization, political systems, and cultural contexts. Nevertheless, automation was central in reshaping many societies’ social classes and power dynamics.
The Industrial Revolution was a transformative period that positively and negatively impacted society. It brought about significant changes in production methods, transportation infrastructure, and living conditions. However, it also led to social issues like poverty, disease, and inequality. The emergence of the working class, the middle class’s growth, and the agricultural class’s decline were significant changes in the social class structure.
While industrialization initially led to increased inequality, it also created opportunities for upward social mobility and challenged traditional social hierarchies. Ultimately, the Industrial Revolution laid the foundation for modern society and set the stage for further technological advancements. Therefore, it is essential to understand the effects of industrialization on society to address current and future challenges effectively.