Industrial & French Revolutions: Key Differences

Historical Turning Points

Industrial Revolutions Compared

The First Industrial Revolution emerged during the 18th century in Europe, marking a fundamental change in the economic system and how work was performed, transitioning from manual labor and craft workshops to mechanized work and factories. This transformation was driven by several key inventions, including the steam engine and mechanical looms.

One European country that had significant visibility during the First Industrial Revolution was England (as it was primarily an agricultural country). It affected and expanded to other Western countries, such as Catalonia, impacting the textile industry.

Unlike the first, the Second Industrial Revolution was the result of the union between science, technology, and financial capital. Key inventions included electricity, petroleum and its derivatives, and steel.

The first was the engine of the textile industry, especially cotton, while the second was much more diversified, becoming important in steel and metallurgy (construction of roads and railways) and chemistry (fertilizers, dyes, steel products).

The first was much more concentrated and dependent on coal energy, while the second spread to Europe and the USA and was no longer solely dependent on coal.

The French Revolution

Causes

• Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI imposed absolute monarchy, removing privileges for the nobility and bourgeoisie.
• Conflicts arose due to severe economic problems that were not solved by imposing taxes.
• France spent more money than it received through taxes.
• In France, 80% were farmers and the remaining 20% were bourgeoisie. Farmers worked the land and were under the high nobility or clergy, to whom they paid taxes or provided services.
• The bourgeoisie were free but had no political influence, unlike the nobility and clergy.
• The nobility was a privileged and influential group that did not pay taxes and received income.
• The Estates-General, an assembly formed by representatives of the nobility, the clergy, and the people, failed because voting was by estate, meaning the nobility and clergy could outvote the people.

Consequences

• Napoleon spread liberal ideals and French domination in much of Europe.
• Proclamation of the Republic, which ended the Old Regime in France.
• Execution of Louis XVI, who belonged to the Royal House of Bourbon.
• Elimination of imprisonment for debt, introduction of the metric system, and abolition of primogeniture (the prevailing character in the inheritance of land property).