Cultural, Economic and Political Impacts of Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution also led to the creation of new social and political ideologies. Adam smith in his Wealth of Nations argued for the free market economy system with less government regulation and control, known as the Laissez Faire market principle. The Business sectors were thrilled by this new idea and promoted it, as it meant their profits and less government control. Jeremy Bentham in England and Freidrich List in Germany argued that the government should manage the economy and address social problems. Malthus and David Ricardo argued that the reason for poverty is overpopulation and can be addressed by delayed marriages and abstinence instead of government involvement. Robert Owen and Charles Fourier also came up with socialist uptopian socities without capitalists and Owen urged for reforms in the Industry such as better working conditions and government inspections. The hard working conditions and bad economic life led to various protests and riots by the workers and eventually led to the formation of trade unions and “benevolent societies” that tried to protect worker rights. Their efforts met with success when the Parliament passed the Factory Act of 1833, the Mines Act of 1842, and the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 that addresses the issues of abuse in the Industrial sectors.

Thus all of the revolutions such as price revolution, agricultural revolution, technological revolutions and the economic revolutions all became loosely known as the Industrial Revolution. It began in Britain and soon encompassed whole of Europe and changed the world forever. The period was marked by transformations of European agricultural, technological, and manufacturing and production capabilities had a significant impact of the social, economical and political landscape of Europe and soon changed the world as we know it. The environmental damages during the period were widespread and led to vast reforms as new green movements emerged in the 20^th century. Social life was changed as women left the homes to work and provide for families and the working conditions slowly improved. Businesses and industries saw the formation of unions and worker’s rights groups that promoted better wages and working conditions in Europe. New transportation and communication lines linked Europe and Americas to the rest of the world and helped to bring about new radical political ideologies. Overall, the Industrial Revolution was a process that can never be reversed and completely transformed every aspect of life in Europe and the world.