Brief Background Information to the Industrial RevolutionPrior to the Industrial Revolution, a time of change based on the societal transformation from agrarian to industrial, a majority of Europe was at war with one another, seeking power, control, and money. However, it was the Industrial Revolution that truly won the wars between European countries with the advancement of technology and industry between 1775-1850.
What Was the Industrial Revolution? The Industrial Revolution was a time of dramatic technological advancement between the years of 1775 and 1850 in European countries. This time of change was sparked by a number of factors including the Agricultural Revolution, which changed how food was harvested and the use of cash crops, the growing cotton industry, and the steam engine. All of these factors combined along with an abundance of natural resources created the perfect recipe for the Industrial Revolution with its beginning in Great Britain in the late 18th century.
Shortly after the Industrial Revolution took Great Britain by storm, it spread to Belgium, France, Sweden, Germany, and finally the United States, and with each country it spread to, new inventions and inventors came along with it. Some of the countries that the Industrial Revolution spread to, like the United States, was due to the fact that British inventors moved there to create new lives for themselves thus bringing British technology and innovation to America. However, mechanical technology was not the only form of advancement made during the Industrial Revolution. In addition, advancements were made in painting and the period of Romanticism, which painters used to show their disdain for moving toward a more man-made society rather than one created by nature. Literature also made great advancements during this time period thanks to authors like Charles Dickens and poets like William Wordsworth, who both attempted to shed light on the poor working conditions that came along with the Industrial Revolution. Overall, the Industrial Revolution was a time of great advancement in technology that also created a time of great strife for the working class due to poor working conditions. |
"Industrial Revolution Infographic" by samantha.keenan73 is available under Public Domain. |