Introduction
Neolithic Revolution (9,000 B.C. – 3,000 B.C.)
- Major Changes in Means of Production. Plants were cultivated, food animals were raised, and permanent communities were built.
- Change in Pattern of Human Settlements. The shift from a lifestyle of hunting and gathering to one of agriculture and settlement.
- Important Discoveries. Plant domestication, metalworking.
- Types of Jobs and Economic Roles. Growing, gathering, and preparing (chopping cereals, chopping meat). Production techniques, including weaving, basket weaving, and pottery making, were also utilized.
- Economic Changes. Agriculture’s advancement finally produced a financial surplus. As a result, the economy expanded, which ultimately contributed to pastoralist communities’ long-term domination.
- Changes in Social Hierarchy. The way humans lived underwent a profound transformation during the Neolithic Revolution. Creation of permanent settlements, the development of social classes, and eventually the formation of civilizations.
Industrial Revolution (1750-1900)
- Major Changes in Means of Production. Greater efficiency and production, decreased costs, a growth in commodities and income, and a shift from rural to urban regions.
- Change in Pattern of Human Settlements. Many people moved to the metropolis in search of employment after leaving rural life behind.
- Important Discoveries. Introduction of the internal combustion engine, cotton gin, cotton spinning machine, telegraph, and regulated electricity
- Types of Jobs and Economic Roles. Factory labor predominated throughout the Industrial Revolution. Additionally, numerous occupations were found in the coal mines since steam engines needed a consistent supply of coal.
- Economic Changes. The economy changed into a manufacturing economy, a shift from rural to urban regions, and an increase in production and efficiency.
- Changes in Social Hierarchy. The Industrial Revolution also produced a new middle class. The middle class owned and ran new mines, railways, factories, and other businesses.
Analysis
Human society fell apart as a result of the Neolithic Revolution’s food surplus. Some people had time to pursue other interests once no one needed to work to make a living. And the division of work resulted from this. Agriculture, however, had certain disadvantages as well. Malaria and TB were able to spread widely due to the congestion. As a result, more people died from sickness globally, and the illness would continue to spread until it was entirely eradicated.
Agriculture decreased the quality of food by increasing its production. Since they had little agricultural knowledge when they first began, they only knew how to cultivate a few crops. Because agriculture provided the majority of their food, their diets were frequently imbalanced. Yet, there is no denying that agriculture has benefited humanity. As soon as agriculture was established, population growth was rapid.
Both the Neolithic Revolution and the Industrial Revolution had a strong economic component. On the one hand, the Neolithic Revolution saw the first food surpluses emerge as a result of the settlement of people in small towns and the establishment of agricultural work groups. At this point, the idea of barter or exchange is born, and the Neolithic Revolution’s economy starts to flourish. Because economics was already a discipline with established theories and principles throughout the Industrial Revolution, it played a significant role at this time because people started to consider different ways to boost their output or revenue.
Conclusion
The Industrial Revolution led to the transition of the agrarian economy into a manufacturing economy, as machines began to replace solely human labor in production. As a result, people moved from rural to urban regions, production grew, efficiency improved, prices decreased, more commodities were produced, and salaries rose. The transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture saw the rise of permanent communities and the emergence of social classes. The Industrial Revolution also gave rise to a new middle class in addition to the working class.