The impact and significance of key developments

The Impact of Industrialisation

Sectorial Developments

The agricultural sector experienced a revolution, leading to higher food production which could feed the rapidly increasing urban populations.
The manufacturing sector grew exponentially as new technologies and mechanisation dramatically increased production rates and efficiency.
The service sector gradually emerged, as sectors like banking, transport and retail expanded to cater to a growing and increasingly urbanised population.

Economic Consequences

There was a shift from a land economy to a money economy, with money increasingly being used for transactions, encouraging the growth of a banking sector.
A significant increase in overall wealth and prosperity was achieved, but this was often unevenly distributed, eventually leading to the labour movement and demands for better working conditions.
The development of new industries and technologies led to job specialisation, with people training to perform specific roles within the industrial system.

Social Changes

Industrialisation resulted in significant urbanisation, with populations migrating from rural to urban areas for work, leading to the creation of new cities and the expansion of existing ones.
The rapid growth of industry and the city life that came with it lead to a societal shift with a new class structure, giving rise to the industrial middle class and an industrial proletariat.
Life expectancy increased due to better nutrition and advances in medicine, although urbanisation also brought with it social problems such as overcrowding, pollution and poor sanitary conditions.

Political Transformations

Emergence of a powerful industrial bourgeoisie led to changing power dynamics and the spread of liberal ideology, which placed emphasis on individual rights and limited government interference in economy.
Industrialisation influenced the political agenda with new issues such as working conditions, child labour, and education leading to new laws and reforms.
Nations that industrialised early gained political and economic dominance on a global scale, which in turn shaped international relations, trade, and colonialism.

Environmental Impact

Industrialisation gave rise to significant environmental changes, such as air and water pollution from factories, and deforestation for building materials and fuel.
The use of fossil fuels, notably coal and later oil, had a long-term impact on the environment, contributing to the current climate change crisis.
Introduction of railways, canals, and later motorways radically altered landscapes, affecting both wildlife and local communities.

Cultural Implications

Industrialisation had deep impacts on culture, with the rise of new forms of entertainment such as the music hall, and the popularisation of newspapers and later cinema and television.
Rise of consumer culture and mass production made more goods available to more people at lower prices.
Industrialisation increased social mobility and eventually led to societal demand for universal education, changing the nature of intellectual discourse and broadening access to knowledge.