Industrialization
Industrialization refers to the period during which textile manufacturing, transportation, and agricultural activities were mechanized alongside a change of power which encompassed economic and cultural conditions, railroads and ships development (James-Chakraborty, 257). The industrial revolution began in Britain at the end of late 18th century providing a roadmap through which nations in the North American and Western Europe were industrialized. Industrialization brought with it a lot of social development manifested by the creation of a free labor market through abolishing customary obligations and labor feudal. The industrial revolution was facilitated by factors such as the revolution in agriculture in Britain, technological innovations and availability of coal and iron, while improved working conditions, improved standards of living and urbanization were some impacts of the industrial revolution which highly relates with sociology.
What led to the industrial revolution?
First, technological innovations are of the factors that led to the industrial revolution. Britain was famous for cotton, and woolen textile was woven manually, but the cotton type of cloths had more merit over the woolen ones. Cotton was relatively stronger, cheaper, and easier to color than woolen fabrics. However, the cold climate of Britain and the shortage of labor force hindered cotton growth and there Britain imported cotton from India. Frame jenny was invented in 1769 and influenced the implementation of the first weaving plant the enabled conversion of raw material to finished cloth — this then paved the way for the factory system, which was the stepping stone for the revolution of industries (Maw, 758).
Second, the availability of iron and core in Britain had a contributive effect toward industrial revolution. Before the industrial revolution core was the primary source of fuel and much of it was required to melt iron ore and in transportation among other uses. When an engine powered by coal was invented raised demand for coal and this made it necessary to improve coal mining techniques. The mining of coal in Britain made it the world largest producer of coal and had the biggest coal industry. Availability of stronger and cheaper coal it Britain made it able to start and run major industries like steam engines, shipbuilding construction, railroads and tools (Maw, 789).
Third, the sound transport system in Britain is another factor wish facilitated the industrial revolution. In the late 17th century and early 18th century, Britain economy was low and could not finance for the development of the transport system. In the late 18th century the Britain economy rose to build up pressure for roads and a group of people known as Turnpike mandated to maintain highways and receive toll as the pay for their services. In the early 19th century the Britain government took control of transport system and built many railways and canals accompanied with powering the transport industry with coal which made the progress of industrial revolution possible (Maw, 841).
Effects of the industrial revolution
First, the industrial revolution led to the improvement of working conditions. Before the industrial revolution, the newly employed staff did not have bargaining power with their new bosses because the population was growing very fast in Britain making many people flock in town in search for jobs. Employees were neither provided with protective gears nor medical cover and thus it was their duty to watch out on their safety. After industrialization, the government of Britain passed the law that required employees to have a fair pay, safe working condition and medical cover catered for by the employer (O'Brien, 29).
Second, the industrial revolution led to the improvement of living stands in Britain. According to James-Chakraborty (265), before the industrial revolution, people in Britain lived in their local area, and life was simple and relied on agriculture for the living since there were nor employment opportunities in the towns. Most people were their bosses since many relied on weaving, raising animals, and setting up small shops as their sources of money. This effect relates with sociology since after the industrial revolution, many factories were started in town, and the substantial number of skilled and unskilled relocated to cities where they lived decent life with furnished houses and predictable source of income since most of the experienced people were employed in the factories (O'Brien, 35).
Third, industrialization led to urbanization in Britain. In pre-industrial period many people in their local areas depending on agricultural activities, while others operated small shops selling the household item as their means of surviving. This effect created a sociological impact on many since people moved from their local area and other from the countryside to the small towns which later grew big cities. The cities continue growing with more industries being set up to absorb the rapidly growing labor force in the market. The urbanization process triggered the start of many industries though locating factories and workers together (O'Brien, 43).
Conclusion
Industrial evolution is the process by activities like transportation, weaving and agricultural activities slowly changed from simply operated to mechanized form. Availability of iron and core in Britain, innovation in technology and availability of sound transportation system led to the industrial revolution. Through the industrial revolution, working conditions improved where employees could get fair pay, medical cover paid by their employers and provided with safety gears when working in the factories. Factories set up in the industrial revolution led to the growth of cities attracting people to move from their local area in search of employment opportunities and have better living standards.
Work cited
James-Chakraborty, Kathleen. “The Industrial Revolution.” Architecture since 1400, University of Minnesota Press, 2014, pp. 255–272. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctt9qh39w.21.
Maw, Peter. “Canals, Transport and the Industrial Revolution in Manchester.” Transport and the Industrial City: Manchester and the Canal Age, 1750–1850, Manchester University Press, Manchester, 2013, pp. 229–266. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt21216kz.14.
O’Brien, Patrick K. “Deconstructing the British Industrial Revolution as a Conjuncture and Paradigm for Global Economic History.” Reconceptualizing the Industrial Revolution, edited by Jeff Horn et al., MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts; London, England, 2010, pp. 21–46. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt5hhgdm.6.
