An Analysis of the Industrial Revolution's Effect on British Society

This essay examines the profound impact of the Industrial Revolution on the lives of people in Britain between 1760 and 1840. It explores how the invention of new machinery and the shift from an agrarian to an industrial society brought significant changes to the economy, socio-political conditions, and people's lifestyles. The essay discusses the transition from agriculture to industrial production, highlighting the role of inventions like the spinning jenny and spinning mule in the textile industry. It analyzes the economic growth, urbanization, and the rise of capitalism, along with the emergence of social classes. While acknowledging environmental and social disparities, the essay concludes that the Industrial Revolution ultimately improved people's lives by fostering efficiency and progress, despite some disadvantages.

Running head: INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND PEOPLE
INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION AND PEOPLE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1INDUTRIAL REVOLUTION AND PEOPLE
The invention of new machinery and the transformation from the agrarian culture to
an industry based culture during the span of 1760 to 1840 in Britain did not bring change
only in the economy and socio-political condition of the nation but also provided the people
with a drastic modification in lifestyle. Machines and tools became acting as the device to
reduce the time and physical labor to manufacture large number of goods can be seen as good
impact on people. Hence this essay precisely intends to discuss and argue for the topic.
Before the occurrence of this revolution, the people of Europe or specifically Britain
were largely depended on agriculture as their source of income. The land was considered to
be the only possible means to prosper economically. People grew crops and made trifling
tools to lessen their labor but these were solely for themselves (Smelser). Hence after the
rising demands of the tradesman the invention of machine came into the European world as a
regular practice. The people indulging in a simple lifestyle of farming became faster and
participated in large scale production (Mathias). The invention of spinning jenny and
spinning mule acted as blessing on the textile industry maintaining a desired balance between
the heavy growth in production and work efficiency and time. This period has witnessed the
gradual change in the political, economic and social scenario from something completely
different and it played a great role behind shaping the opinion and standard of living of the
people. Profit for people was the surplus that they used to produce if they had enough of time
and empty land before industrial revolution whereas after the revolution hit the nation, it
flourished with profit where manual labor became negligible. This did not only made the
workers well-organized and but also the methodical way of producing goods brought a rapid
economic growth in the whole Europe.
The industrial revolution helped the people to get accustomed to a scheduled life. The
best possible thing that took place was the rapid development of city (Walvin). The
revolution increased the rate of production implying the potency of more work for more

2INDUTRIAL REVOLUTION AND PEOPLE
number of people eradicating unemployment. Although the growth rate in production rose yet
the competence of the skilled workers had to be sacrificed due to bulk of manufacture. It had
benefitted the owner of the factories to such extend that the society beheld the rise of
capitalism (Samuel). A clear demarcating line was drawn between the rich and the poor and
confirming to the idea of rich getting richer and poor, poorer. There was a visible growth in
the rise of middle and upper-middle class which secured their position in the European
society. Due to advancement in time and cut down in labor, a rapid increase in the gross
domestic product in the whole nation was observed. The slow migration from the village to
the city gave birth to urbanization.
However the growth of industry brought about a constant flow of money in the nation
but rise in productivity caused impairment to the environment and enlarged the gap between
the rich and the poor.
Therefore the essay in conclusion believes that despite having some disadvantages of
the revolution this ultimately brought happiness and taught people to live life tactfully
without wasting much time and effort.

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References
Mathias, Peter. The first industrial nation: The economic history of Britain 1700–1914.
Routledge, 2013.
Samuel, Raphael. People's History and Socialist Theory (Routledge Revivals). Routledge,
2016.
Smelser, Neil J. Social change in the industrial revolution: An application of theory to the
British cotton industry. Routledge, 2013.
Walvin, James. English urban life: 1776-1851. Routledge, 2013.