THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (Descriptive-Refresher Type for B.A.III)

Industrial Revolution in Europe

Question VII-1-10: Study the progress of the Industrial Revolution in Europe.
Or
What were the effects Industrial changes on the economic, social, political and intellectual life of the people?

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Answer: At the beginning of the eighteenth century, scientific discoveries and technological changes ushered into a new era of machines. With new discoveries and inventions, the machine-based industry replaced the cottage industry. The scene of production shifted from cottage industry to factories where the production was done on a large scale. In this way, in the industrial field, a new form of activity emerged. In Marxian terminology, a new ' relation of Production' set in. The new form of activity is termed as the Industrial Revolution. This revolution first took place in England and then gradually spread over all over the world.

The major changes, which brought up the industrial revolution were-

(i) power-driven machines replaced manual machines, driven by muscular power of man or animal in most of the production activities.

(ii) In the beginning, steam power was widely used to run the machines. Afterwards, the use of electricity and petroleum fuel became the vital ingredients to run the machines.

(iii) Steel was another vital material in making machines. Hence, numerous iron mills were erected.

(iv) Excessive investment of capital was needed and made.

(v) The nature of agricultural production also underwent changes. The smallholdings were merged to form large landholdings. The new and more and more agricultural machinery were used for agricultural production.

(vi) Steam-powered rail engines and marine ships revolutionize transportation.

(vii) The large-scale production and many alternative modes of transportation and communication facilitated continuous international trade.

PROGRESS OF THE REVOLUTION

The following inventions promoted Industrial Revolution: -

Flying Shuttle: - John Kay invented flying shuttle in 1733. This device increased the speed of weaving cloth of wider width.

Spinning Jenny: - Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny machine in 1765. It had eight spindles and could produce goods equivalent to the working capacity of eight workers at one time. It could spin fine yarn though of less strength.

Water Frame: - Archwright, a barber, invented Water Frame in 1769. It was engined by waterpower. It could weave strong cloth.

Mule: - Samuel Compton invented mule in 1799. It combined the jobs done by Flying Shuttle and Water Frame in one system in a machine. It worked on hydel power. It spun a fine and strong yarn.
Powerloom: - Cartwright invented power loom in 1785. It worked on steam power. It revolutionized the textile industry. The cloth was woven at a greater speed in large quantities.

Cotton Gin: - Vaitin, an American, invented Cotton Gin in 1793. The cotton fibre could be detached from the cotton flowers by this machine at a higher speed.

Cylinder Printing: - The Cylinder Printing was invented by the end of the eighteenth century. It mechanized the washing and printing of the cloth.

Steam Engine: - Newcome was the first person to develop the Steam Engines. James Watt, whose name is more recognized with Steam Engine, made a modification in an earlier model to make it more efficient.

Revolution in Iron and Coal Industries: - As the Industrial Revolution progressed, the demand for iron also increased. Earlier, the machines, especially their frame, were made of wood. Now the machines were made of iron and it became the main material to manufacture the machines.

Safety Lamp: Sir Humphry Devy invented Safety Lamp in 1815, which increased the safety of the life of miners in deep mining. It made the mining bit easier.

Revolution in Construction of Roads: - The improved means of transport were the most determinant factors in the progress of industry. Swedish engineer used rubbles to lay roads which turned out be a more useful way to get durable roads.

Revolution in Digging of Canals: - The Canals provided the second alternative to roads for transport of coal and iron over a longer distance in a profitable manner. The first canal for such a purpose was constructed under the supervision of the Engineer Bradley in England. It flowed from Bristly to Manchester. A

Locomotive: - George Stevenson constructed the first Locomotive, which was powered by steam. The first railway line was laid between Manchester and Liverpool in 1830. This revolutionized travel and transportation.

EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The Industrial Revolution had touched every aspect of British life. It turned an agriculture-dominated country into an industrial nation. The main effects of the Industrial Revolution are as follows: -

I ECONOMIC EFFECTS

Increase in National Income: - England emerged as the world power as a result of the Industrial Revolution. She established trade relations with other countries. The products of her factories were well received in the foreign markets. This increased the national income of England.

Decline of Cottage industry: - The Industrial Revolution became the cause of inventions of such machines, which could not be installed in the cottage industry. It became the cause for the construction of numerous factories all over the country. Such a trend completely killed the cottage industry.

Large Supply of Commodities at Cheaper Rates: - The invention and extensive use of machines made available large quantities of commodities, which could be bought at cheaper rates.'

Increase in Unemployment: - The most negative effect of the Industrial Revolution was that it killed the cottage industry and handicrafts which were a secondary source of earning and in many cases the primary source of earning daily meals in many households. A single machine could perform the job of a number of workers in lesser time. As a result, the artisans who depended on the skills of their hands became unemployed and they were in large numbers. Similarly, it left numerous agricultural workers unemployed.

Rise of New Classes: - The Industrial Revolution gave birth to two new socio-economic classes- the workers class (proletariat) and the capitalist class. The Capitalist managed to get more work out of the workers at lesser wages. As a result, the poor became poorer and the capital got concentrated in the hands of a smaller number of capitalists. A frequently used sentence to explain this effect is, " The Industrial Revolution made the rich richer and the poor poorer."

II SOCIAL EFFECTS

Increase in the Number of Landless Workers: - The Industrial Revolution changed the social structure of England when the small farmers and small landholders were compelled by the circumstances to sell off their landed properties and seek employment in factories as daily wagers. Hence, the number of landless labourers increased. It is an apt remark that " England was changed from a granary to a workshop."

Artisans became Laborers: - By industrialization, large-scale production of durable commodities was being achieved at a very lesser price and in lesser time. Hence the cloth of handlooms, worked by hands, went out of demand. Thus the artisans, who worked with their hands, were compelled to seek employment as daily labourers in factories.

Exploitation of Women and Small Children: - The factories preferred to employ women and minor children at lower wages for a longer period. They were made to work for forced labour also. The factory systems were highly injurious to the health of women and young children.

Bad Effects on the Health of the Laborers: - The working condition in a factory was unhealthy and devoid of a good working environment. They lived in a polluted atmosphere created by factories.

III POLITICAL EFFECTS

Reforms of Parliament: - The new industrial cities created the need for new laws and reforms. Hence, in the nineteenth century, numerous constitutional reform acts were introduced in Parliament.

Factory Acts: - The Factory Acts were passed to reform the condition of labourers and to provide them with the security of life.

Establishment of Trade Unions: - Trade Unions were organised to save the labourers from the exploitation by the Capitalists.

Birth of New Principles: - The Labor Welfare Centers were being established to find solutions for rising poverty among the labourers. In such a situation, the philosophies of Socialism and Communism started emerging.

National and International understanding: - The means of transport and communication had developed tremendously under the revolutionary impact of the Industrial Revolution. As a result, different nations developed intimate national interests and friendly relations, which created a new political international understanding and equations.

Birth of Colonialism: - With extensive developments in industrialization, the surplus goods were being produced at a large scale. There was an intensive need to find a market for this surplus production. Such a situation gave birth to colonialism.

In brief, it can be concluded that the Industrial Revolution has an important place in the history of humanity. It not only changed England; it had completely transformed every setup in the world. In the words of Ramsay Muir, " The Industrial Revolution was a mighty and silent upheaval."

Word Count: 1451

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