Impact of the Second Industrial Revolution 1870-1914

The Second Industrial Revolution (1870 - 1914)

Raw Materials and Industrial Resources

In this second stage, the raw materials used were the same as in the first revolution. These are natural. At this stage, petroleum-based raw materials and others that come from nature appeared. It deals with chemical raw materials, like plastic and other types of tissues to be used in the textile industry. Wood was no longer used as frequently, and the use of minerals increased.

Primary Energy Sources and Power

Electricity and oil were mainly used. This means that there was a big change from the previous stage. Coal was still used because it was the fuel of the steam engine, but it was replaced by the previously mentioned sources and hydropower, as water accumulated in river basins.

Automation and Technological Inventions

The focus of machines was automation. At this stage, great inventions continued to be discovered to improve production. These include:

• The dynamo: It transforms mechanical energy into electrical energy and was perfected by Siemens.
• The internal combustion engine: It drew energy from oil and was responsible for the invention of the automobile.
• The cinematographer and the telephone: These were inventions that revolutionized the world of telecommunications and are still used today.

Industrial Applications and Chemical Advances

The most important industries of the previous stage remained at the forefront of this second phase. The novelty was the appearance of the chemical industry, which was boosted by advances in agriculture, such as better fertilizers for crop improvement. This also influenced medicine, representing a significant advance in this science.

Social Classes and Key Protagonists

The protagonists were the bourgeoisie and the landlords, who possessed the money necessary to maintain a privileged role in these societies. Other protagonists included the middle class and the petty bourgeoisie, who ran small businesses. Additionally, the working class saw an improvement in their status compared to the stage prior to this.

Business Structures and Global Markets

Type of business: Companies were owned by large business groups, unlike in the previous stage. These were grouped to form:

• Trusts: An agreement recognized by law, in which a person gives property to another person who manages and administers it on behalf of another person or persons.
• Cartels: A group of companies that meets and jointly makes decisions on prices and production to maximize joint profits.
• Holdings: The main aim of these is to acquire as many shares in other companies as possible to provide the necessary majority and the power of operational control, forming an organizational chain without erasing the identity of each link.

Each company aimed to bring together the world market so that there was less competition.

Global Powers and Cultural Context

Countries: New powers emerged, such as Germany, Japan, and the United States, which overthrew England's dominance. Regarding culture, there was an elitist culture where only a few were privileged.