Industrial Revolution: History and Impact on Society

The Industrial Revolution

A Transformation of Society and Technology

The Industrial Revolution marked a significant turning point in history, characterized by the replacement of manual tools with machines, the substitution of human and animal power with new energy sources, and the shift from domestic production to the factory system. This revolution had an enormous impact on the structure of society and was accompanied by remarkable advances in technology. Originating in England in the second half of the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution signified the end of the transition from feudalism to capitalism, marked by the primitive accumulation of capital and the supremacy of the market in production. It also completed the bourgeois revolution that began in England in the 17th century.

Stages of Industrialization

The process of industrialization on a global scale can be divided into three distinct periods:

• 1760 to 1850: The Revolution was initially confined to England, often referred to as the "workshop of the world." This period was dominated by the production of consumer goods, particularly textiles, and the use of steam power.
• 1850 to 1900: The Revolution spread across Europe, America, and Asia, encompassing countries like Belgium, France, Germany, the United States, Italy, Japan, and Russia. Increased competition led to the growth of the capital goods industry, the expansion of railways, and the adoption of new energy forms, such as hydroelectric power and petroleum-based products. Transportation was also revolutionized with the invention of the locomotive and the steamboat.
• 1900 to present: This era saw the emergence of industrial conglomerates and multinational corporations. Production became automated, leading to mass production and the rise of mass consumption, fueled by the expansion of mass media. The chemical and electronics industries advanced significantly, alongside developments in genetic engineering and robotics.

From Crafts to Manufacturing and Machinofacture

Craftsmanship, the initial form of industrial production, emerged in the late Middle Ages during the Renaissance and was characterized by independent production. The producer owned the means of production, including facilities, tools, and raw materials. Working from home, either alone or with family, the craftsman performed all stages of production.

Manufacturing arose from the expansion of consumption, prompting craftsmen to increase production and merchants to engage in industrial production. Merchants distributed raw materials, and craftsmen worked from home, receiving payment for their work. This led merchants to take control of production, first by hiring craftsmen to finish textiles, then for dyeing and weaving, and finally for spinning. Factories emerged, employing workers who had no control over the product of their labor. Productivity increased due to the social division of labor, where each worker performed a specific step in the production process.

In machinofacture, employees were subject to the operation of machinery and the direct management of the entrepreneur. This stage solidified the Industrial Revolution.