The Industrial Revolution was a major period of economic, technological, and social change that marked the transition from agrarian and handicraft-based economies to industrial and machine-based manufacturing. It began in Great Britain around 1760 and lasted until about 1840, spreading later to continental Europe, the United States, and beyond
. Key features of the Industrial Revolution include:
- The shift from hand production methods to machines, such as the spinning jenny and power loom.
- The rise of new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes.
- The increasing use of water power and steam power, exemplified by inventions like the steam engine.
- The development of machine tools and the factory system, which introduced division of labor and specialization.
- Significant advancements in transportation and communication, including the steam locomotive, telegraph, and later, the telephone
This revolution led to a dramatic increase in production and efficiency, urbanization as people moved from rural areas to work in factories, and profound social changes including the growth of working-class movements and new economic structures
. The Industrial Revolution is often divided into two phases:
- The First Industrial Revolution (c. 1760–1840), focused on textiles, iron, and steam power.
- The Second Industrial Revolution (c. 1870–1914), also called the Technological Revolution, characterized by steel production, electricity, mass production, and new communication systems like the telephone and telegraph
Overall, the Industrial Revolution transformed societies worldwide by introducing mechanized manufacturing, fostering economic growth, and reshaping social and cultural life
