The industrialization of the 19th century was a period of significant change for the Western world. It was a time when new technologies and ways of doing things led to the rise of new industries and the growth of cities. This essay analyses the significant drivers of industrialization in the nineteenth century: the development of new technologies, namely, the growth of the railways, the expansion of the factory system, the rise of the middle class, and the global economy.
The introduction of new technologies, such as the steam engine and the spinning jenny, increased productivity and allowed for the mass production of goods (Berger). This made it possible for factories to produce more goods at a lower cost, making them more competitive and leading to industry growth. The emergence of new transportation systems, such as canals and railways, made it possible to move goods and materials more efficiently and allowed trade and commerce development.
The growth of the global economy, mainly through the expansion of trade and colonialism, created new markets for goods and increased labor demand, leading to many countries’ industrialization. Business development began new opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors, and industry growth led to the rise of the working class (Berger). Besides, new imperial powers arose, such as Britain, France, and Germany driving economic and political relationships between them and the countries they colonized. Population growth in the nineteenth century led to the rise of new urban centers, such as London, Paris, and New York (Berger). These cities became the centers of commerce, industry, and culture, attracting a diverse population of workers, immigrants, and others.
In conclusion, in the 19th century, industrialization had a profound and pervasive impact on the world. It led to a dramatic increase in the world’s population and a considerable increase in the world’s economy. It changed how people lived, worked, and thought about themselves and their place in society. The industrial revolution was a time of significant social and economic change, which had a lasting impact on the way people lived.
Work Cited
Berger, Thor. “Railroads and Rural Industrialization: Evidence from a Historical Policy Experiment.”Explorations in Economic History, vol. 74, 2019. Web.