Industrial Revolution: Causes, Impacts and Social Changes

This essay provides an overview of the Industrial Revolution in the United Kingdom during the 18th century, highlighting its transformative impact on global trade, particularly in textiles. It explores the causes, including Britain's colonial expansion and access to raw materials, and examines the resulti...Read More

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Industrial Revolution
Introduction
The Industrial Revolution in United Kingdom was one of the major historical events that
took place in 18th century. This event had changed the entire trade relations within the world. The
production of the clothes and textiles began to be done in completely new ways. The impacts of
this revolution were huge in politics, society and economy of Europe. There were many changes
that took place within Europe that time. The impacts were felt both locally and globally (Hudson:
20). It had contrasting impacts because some effects were positive and some were completely
negative by many standards. This essay will deal with the causes and effects of this revolution on
society.
Causes of the Industrial Revolution
This industrial revolution in 1789 was a major changing process in the production
process of Europe completely. The textile industry felt its earliest impacts. The main background
of this revolution generally lies in the colonial expansion of Britain after the 17th century. Britain
wanted to bring the raw materials from some of their richly designed colonies known for their
abundance in natural resources (Griffin: 9). They always aimed at using all these natural

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resources for their benefits and use them in their own industry at England. This was an indicator
of their supreme economic growth contrasting with the negative environmental impacts
(Hartwell: 24). Still, it must be highlighted that several items were manufactured during this
process and most workers got jobs. The workers were thus inspired to be more productive. The
greed for profit had been one of the causes for this revolution and working conditions were very
poor over there. This is why the productions had increased a lot over there but the living
conditions fo/r the workers were very unhygienic by all means (Hudson: 20).
The process of production was completely switched to the power of machines rather than
the human power. Various changes came about in the factors like manufacturing, agriculture and
social factors (Mokyr: 11). The agricultural process was very much improved because of the
application of machines. It is known throughout the context of industrial revolution that the
workers had to work from their home privacy within the cottage industry as it was known then.
Critics of the time were of the opinion that major adjustments had been taken during this process.
All these changes and adjustments were mainly focused on England (Cunningham: 19).
However, it must be said that most of these changes and amendments had began from the
cottage industry or textile industry. The invention of water frame by Richard Arkright was one of
the examples of these changes (Allen: 12). Many other new products had been launched and
invented that shaped the modern society. Some other inventions in this aspect are the spinning
jenny, flying shuttle, Steam engine, mule, Pudding and rolling and other things that were the
main features of this industrial revolution. All of these inventions had taken a major part in
shaping of new England and giving it a new identity (Mitch: 56). This event gave the country the
strength to establish themselves as the most dominating country all over Europe.

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Impacts of the industrial revolution on society
Though this phenomenon of industrial revolution had largely benefitted the society from
economic perspectives, the society and health perspectives of workers in the country had
deteriorated completely. Prior to this industrial revolution, workers of the country used to live a
tranquil life because they had little worries and they did not have to spend long hours in the
factories (Cunningham: 19). After this industrial revolution, all the workers had to spend long
hours at the factories and sustain the poor conditions inside those factories. Many new roads and
railway tracks had been built but the overall conditions of the workers did not change at all.
Though the workers were very diligent, still they had to work more beyond their capacity. Many
canals were built within various states so the conditions of transport had improved as well
(Harley: 200).
Some critics have conveyed the situation in their own ways. They have opined the fact no
worker was compelled to work within the factory settings. Still one could opt for working within
the factories if they were confident about it (Mokyr: 28). They would definitely agree to work
there for high amount wages that were offered to them. The social and economic situation was
created in such a way that they did not have any option rather than working in these factories. It
was because industries were increasing rapidly and industry owners needed these people to work
there otherwise laborers would die in starvation (Harley: 178). This was the reason that workers
were ready to sacrifice their hours and engage in the labor for all day long.
Quality of living for people
One thing must be clarified in this scenario that the quality of life was getting higher for
all craftsmen in the country. They could avail all the important things that were needed for the

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betterment of life (Mokyr: 28). The economic conditions within the society got better and per
capita income of people got higher. This is why the critics viewed this condition as the means for
better living through the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution had two ultimate ends.
One was the betterment of living qualities for many and other was very problematic for the
others. In this condition, it became very crucial to set up a stabilized government that could
support the needs of common people (Mingay: 23). The corrupted industrialists completely
turned the lives of artisans and laborers into hell. After seeing these conditions, it can be said that
civilization had spoilt people in those times.
Conclusion
On a concluding note, it can be said that industrial revolution in Britain a crucial part in
the development of history. People were able to understand the need for economic revolution
that would provide better living conditions for the poor. Though the economy of UK improved,
the common laborers and artisans were deprived of better living conditions. So, they had no
other option than to surrender to the industrial force that reigned supreme during the ending of
the 18th century.

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References
Allen, Robert C. "The high wage economy and the industrial revolution: a restatement." The
Economic History Review 68.1 (2015): 1-22.
Cunningham, Hugh. Leisure in the Industrial Revolution: C. 1780-c. 1880. Routledge, 2016.
Griffin, Emma. A short history of the British industrial revolution. Macmillan International
Higher Education, 2018.
Harley, C. Knick. "Reassessing the industrial revolution: a macro view." The British Industrial
Revolution. Routledge, 2018. 160-205.
Hartwell, Ronald Max. The causes of the Industrial Revolution in England. Routledge, 2017.
Hudson, Pat. The industrial revolution. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2014.
Mingay, Gordon Edmund. Enclosure and the Small Farmer in the Age of the Industrial
Revolution. Macmillan International Higher Education, 2016.
Mitch, David. "The role of education and skill in the British industrial revolution." The British
Industrial Revolution. Routledge, 2018. 241-279.
Mokyr, Joel. The British industrial revolution: an economic perspective. Routledge, 2018.
Mokyr, Joel. The Economics of the Industrial Revolution (Routledge Revivals). Routledge, 2018.