The Industrial Revolution and the Rise of Modern Industry

The change that occurred in the history of modern Europe, which was triggered by the shift from an economy that was agrarian and artisan to one dominated by industry and mechanization, is what we call the Industrial Revolution. In the second half of the eighteenth century in England, a profound transformation was found in the systems of work and the structure of society.

It is the result of growth and changes that have been occurring over the past hundred years; it was not a sudden revolution, but a slow and unstoppable one. It transitioned from the old rural world to cities, and from manual work to the machine. As peasants left the fields and moved to the cities, a new professional class emerged.

Some have considered defining features of the Industrial Revolution to be the assembly factories and the use of a driving force. In addition to the changes brought, there was a transition from a workshop with several operators to large factories, and from a small village of several dozen neighbors to a metropolis of hundreds of thousands of people.

Demographics and Population Growth

During the eighteenth century, there was large population growth, which stood out above all in the European population growth and the end of the traditional demographic regime. The fear of depopulation was replaced by the fear of massive population growth. This growth was possible due to a decrease in mortality as a result of:

• Improvements in diet: Reducing agricultural crises with the addition of new foods, like the potato.
• Advances in medicine: Such as the smallpox vaccine.
• The disappearance of major pests.
• Complementary activities (the proto-industrialization).

The Agricultural Factor

The main economic change before the Industrial Revolution occurred in agriculture, increasing production and productivity. These changes occurred mainly in the lands that introduced new techniques and new foods, as in Great Britain, a fact that set it apart from the rest of Europe. This increased production was accompanied by an increase in the population. We must emphasize the importance of acquiring livestock, the use of fertilizers, and the introduction of new crops.

The Transport Revolution

The transport revolution also played a critical role in this era of transformation.