The Industrial Revolution
When the Industrial Revolution emerged into Europe, it was complemented with a population growth and a rise in human labor. The Industrial Revolution enhanced the economy. It enhanced the economy by inventions that were made, and the production of goods lead to a larger population. New forms of energy also assisted in the development of the economy. “It differs from a political revolution in its greater effects on the lives of people and in not coming to an end” (Hackett). The Industrial Revolution was an eminent period in western history because the transformations led to more production of merchandises, more education for society, and new inventions that would later be improved for many diverse uses of whatever the invention was. New and influential inventions started to appear and formed from the Industrial Revolution era. While the population grew, Europe had a more efficient fuel source, “…Britain had ample supplies of coal lying close to the surface…” (Cole 452). Coal, which was a more economical fuel source than wood, paved the way for industrialization through such means as iron production and the steam engine. There were limited uses of iron in Europe because of the materials imperfections. Abraham Darby invented the blast furnace, which it increased production of iron because most of the iron was beginning used to produce factories. Another technology that started to develop that needed steam to be able to function called the steam engine, soon steered in the direction of more mass produced commodities. James Watt created the steam engine, which later in the power loom, created by Edward Cartwright, helped with the production of cotton. The design of the loom helped to efficiently mass produce cotton for the population. After the steam engine was produced, it and coal allowed for the manufacture of steamed powered ships. Steamed powered ships allowed for supplies to be carried effectively to different areas of Europe. Later, a better developed transportation system started to evolve, which was the railways. Railroads started to be produced and goods could be moved easier and “faster” over land. “Building railways became a massive enterprise and a risky but potentially profitable opportunity for investment” (Cole 455). Building railways, led to more job opportunities and more products to the population in a “faster” manner. “The railway boom multiplied the demand for iron products: locomotives, carriages, signals, and switches” (Cole 455). While railroads and trains started to become more popular, steam engines were bought and used in factories. The production of more iron demanded recruitment for more labor. When industrial units were constructed an assembly line was invented, and also gauges. Gauges were invented to help make products faster. Industrialization was important in the nineteenth century because it led to a whole new association in the society of people. After various factories and machines were built, production started to boom. As the demand in goods increased, larger factories were built. Towns started to emerge so that the workers could be housed and close to the factory. As factory towns rose, a new class of society arose. Although factory work was dangerous, people worked in them to make money to live. While the factory towns grew more were assembled elsewhere around factories and production kept increasing. “The merchants needed cheaper items, as well as larger quantities, for their growing trade” (Hackett). Since production of materials and goods were so high, the expense for the supplies was cheap. Since supplies were cheap, people that did not have money were able to buy the supplies. Not just goods and materials were produced in the Industrial Revolution. The working class was also produced during the Industrial Revolution. “The size of factories
