Industrial Revolution | General Knowledge Encyclopedia - Class 8 PDF Download

Introduction

• The Industrial Revolution, which occurred over 200 years ago, brought about significant transformations in manufacturing processes. Before this era, products were predominantly crafted by hand in small workshops or homes. 
• However, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, the construction of factories became widespread, and workers began utilizing machinery powered by engines to produce goods on a large scale.
• The initial epicenter of these changes was England, but the impact of the Industrial Revolution soon extended to other European nations, the United States, and Japan.

Developments

• The Industrial Revolution originated in the cloth industry, where the traditional cloth-making process was slow and labor-intensive. Gathering wool and transforming it into yarn and fabric was a manual task until significant inventions came about.
• The "flying shuttle," introduced in 1733, made weaving cloth easier. Subsequently, the "spinning jenny," invented in 1770, simplified the yarn-spinning process. Another crucial invention was Eli Whitney's "cotton gin" in 1793, which facilitated the cleaning of cotton after harvesting.
• Eli Whitney's concept of "interchangeable parts" further revolutionized production. Instead of skilled workers handcrafting individual products, machines could now mass-produce identical parts that could be assembled by any worker. This led to the rapid production of various goods and the establishment of factories.
• To power these factories and their machines, steam engines became instrumental. James Watt's steam engine, developed in the late 1700s, was particularly adept at running factory machinery.
• The Industrial Revolution quickly extended to other industries, with farmers devising new machines for agricultural tasks like plowing and planting.
• As production increased, there was a need for efficient transportation of raw materials to factories and finished products to customers. This spurred advancements in transportation, including Robert Fulton's perfected steamboat in 1807 and George Stephenson's invention of the steam-powered locomotive on rails in 1825, leading to the birth of the railroad.

Impact on Society

• By the late 1700s, a significant number of people faced difficulties earning a livelihood in rural areas. Consequently, they migrated from farms and villages to larger towns and cities in search of employment opportunities. This led to the rapid growth of urban areas, which, unfortunately, often suffered from issues like filth, overcrowding, and poor sanitation, making them unhealthy places to live.
• Although machinery introduced during the Industrial Revolution improved certain aspects of work, it also brought about several challenges for laborers. The adoption of machines increased production, resulting in cheaper manufacturing costs and lower prices for goods. While factory owners amassed considerable wealth, the workers themselves earned meager wages, and their jobs were often hazardous. Many toiled for extended hours, with workdays stretching from 12 to 14 hours. This included men, women, and even young children who were employed in factories.
• In response to these harsh conditions, workers united to form labor unions. These organizations aimed to advocate for better working conditions and higher wages. Through their efforts, they were able to influence the creation of protective labor laws. These laws established limitations on working hours and ensured a minimum level of payment for workers.