Industrialization and its Consequences

The Industrial Revolution was one of the most important events in modern civilization. ​This pivotal moment in history significantly changed society. It introduced new techniques as well as social and economic transformations. It radically changed several aspects of society, including production methods, the definition of work, transportation methods and how society and the economy were organized.

The Industrial Revolution began in England in 1770 and gradually spread to other European countries and to North America. Before discussing the events and innovations related to the Industrial Revolution, it’s important to define some key concepts.

Most of these technical innovations took place during the 18th century, before spreading to other countries including France, the United States, Germany and Canada. Other important inventions were created during the 19th and 20th centuries. These later inventions were part of the Second Industrial Revolution.

One of the most important aspects of the Industrial Revolution was industrialization.

Before the Industrial Revolution, some tasks were already mechanized. This wasn’t the case for all cities or industries though. It’s important to note that industrialization refers to mechanization on a wide scale.

Before the arrival of machines and mechanized work, several business owners set up the factory system. This production system grouped all the craftsmen in the same building, where a single boss supervised their work. It’s important to note that the people working in these factories were craftsmen, meaning that they still created handmade items using their tools.

Factories and machines appeared at the same time. Factory owners gradually integrated mechanized machines to perform some of the craftsmen’s tasks. Workers no longer made the products themselves. Instead of being involved in all of the stages of production, they monitored and powered the machines, while performing simple, repetitive tasks.

The industrialization of England, and ultimately other countries, had several economic and social impacts.

Merchant-manufacturers and factory owners became wealthier due to faster production methods. They reinvested their profits to build more factories and develop other technologies. Industrialization also led to the creation of large stores that sold a variety of goods, which contributed to the emergence of paper money.
 
This era fostered the development of a new profit-driven economy, characterized by capitalism.

Industrialization drastically changed the definition of work and how society was organized.

Factory workers worked in dirty, cluttered, noisy, poorly ventilated spaces where they performed simple, repetitive tasks all day long. They worked up to 14 hours a day under the constant supervision of strict foremen, performing exhausting tasks for very low pay. People worked 6 days a week and up to 300 days a year.
 
Women and children also made up 20% to 40% of the workforce. They worked mainly in the textile sector and were considered an asset for bosses because they were compliant and a source of cheap labour. Women and children were paid much less than men, even though they worked under the same conditions and performed the same tasks. A few years later, these working conditions would give rise to ideological and ethical debates.
 
Industrialization also changed the structure of society with the emergence of two new social classes: the industrial bourgeoisie and the working class. The bourgeoisie consisted of factory owners and foremen. They invested capital in the company and wanted to maximize profits. The factories were used to improve production by reducing costs. As these factories became mechanized, production increased and the need for workers decreased, leading to higher profits. Machines were a major advantage for industries, as they didn’t tire like humans. The bourgeoisie aimed to produce goods more quickly and at  lower costs to sell more products.

Factory workers were valued for their labour. Lacking special skills, they were considered easy to replace. Unable to make a living from handmade products or farming, they had to work in factories, despite harsh conditions and very low wages. This meant they had to live in polluted cities. After a long day of work, they returned to cramped and unsanitary living conditions where they did not have access to proper food or medical care, and their life expectancy was less than 30 years.

Factories were located near railroads and energy sources such as water and coal. They were usually located in cities, which developed rapidly, leading to urbanization. In addition to attracting entrepreneurs, cities attracted available labour, capital and markets. Consequently, increasing numbers of peasants left rural areas to look for factory work, leading to a rural exodus.

Workers typically lived near the factories, since there was no transportation system and the work days were very long. However, these homes were very expensive, especially considering the workers’ low wages. The housing conditions were poor: they were damp, poorly heated, poorly lit, dirty, overcrowded, overrun with pests and lacked running water.