Industrial Revolution

Definition

The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant economic and technological change that began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th century, transforming societies from agrarian economies to industrialized ones. This shift brought about new manufacturing processes, increased productivity, and urbanization, profoundly impacting social structures and cultural movements, including literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century, fueled by advancements in technology such as the steam engine and spinning jenny.
2. As industries grew, there was a massive migration of people from rural areas to cities in search of work, leading to rapid urban growth and changes in living conditions.
3. The rise of the factory system allowed for mass production but also led to harsh working conditions, including long hours and child labor, sparking early labor movements.
4. Literature during this time reflected the tensions between industrial progress and the romantic ideal of nature, with authors exploring themes of alienation and the impact of technology on human experience.
5. The Industrial Revolution not only reshaped economies but also influenced social structures, leading to the emergence of new classes, such as the industrial bourgeoisie and the working class.

Review Questions

• How did the Industrial Revolution change social structures and influence literary movements?
  • The Industrial Revolution significantly altered social structures by creating new classes, such as the industrial bourgeoisie who owned factories and the working class who labored in them. This shift resulted in tensions that were reflected in literature of the time. Writers began to explore themes of alienation, class struggle, and the impact of urbanization on human experience. Literary movements like Romanticism emerged as a response, emphasizing emotion and nature while critiquing industrialization.
• Evaluate the impact of urbanization during the Industrial Revolution on literature and cultural expression.
  • Urbanization during the Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on literature and cultural expression by shifting settings from pastoral landscapes to bustling cities. This change allowed authors to explore new themes related to modern life, social issues, and the complexities of urban existence. The contrast between city life and rural ideals became a common subject in literary works, fostering a rich dialogue about progress and its discontents. The burgeoning urban environment inspired writers to critique or celebrate industrial advancements through their narratives.
• Assess how the Industrial Revolution laid the groundwork for future literary movements beyond Romanticism.
  • The Industrial Revolution laid crucial groundwork for future literary movements by introducing themes of modernity, class conflict, and technological change that would be explored by later authors. Following Romanticism's initial reaction against industrialization's dehumanizing aspects, movements like Realism emerged to depict everyday life with greater accuracy. As societies continued to evolve due to industrial changes, literature began addressing existential questions about identity, consumer culture, and societal impacts on individual lives, leading to Modernism in the early 20th century.

Related terms

Urbanization:

The process by which an increasing percentage of a population moves from rural areas to cities, often as a result of industrial growth and economic opportunities.

Factory System: A method of manufacturing that emerged during the Industrial Revolution, characterized by the concentration of labor and production in large buildings known as factories, where workers operated machinery to produce goods.

Romanticism: An artistic and literary movement that emerged in response to the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing emotion, nature, and individualism as a counter to industrialization's focus on reason and mechanization.