Industrial Revolution
...technology, economics, and even sociology. The sudden change of events in the mid-1700s changed the way of life forever. The changes from the Industrial Revolution did not emerge by themselves; many people are recognized for their contributions to this changing of history. It was a turning point in history.
The Industrial Revolution had many factors which made it to be seen as a turning point in history. One factor was Britain having natural advantages that others didn't. It was richly covered with coal and iron ore and had easy access to waterways. It was mostly placed at the crossroads of international trade, and internal trade was influenced by the absence of domestic tariffs. After the union of England and Scotland in 1707, the largest free-trade area in Europe, political liberty was guaranteed, and a relatively open social structure made social mobility common, giving an increase to the accumulation of wealth.
Another factor was the agricultural revolution which began in the 1600s in Britain. New methods of farming, such as new methods of crop rotation and the use of turnips to restore exhausted soil, helped to create larger crop output. According to Asthton (1997), "In the eighteenth century most of the people of Britain earned their living by work on the land"(p.18). But, due to such advances, many people were initially not needed to work the fields, therefore leaving many out of work. A population "boom" emerged because of the agricultural revolution, people were healthier with no fear of famine, diseases such as the bubonic plague had faded away, and sanitation with improved medicate appeared. Due to this, death rates decreased and birthrates increased. Since many men and woman were forced out of farm labor, many had to seek jobs in larger cities. Men, women, and even children had to work the mines, build factories, and run...
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