Industrialization is the social and economic transformation of society from an agrarian to an industrial economy. From about 1760 to 1840, the United States underwent industrialization, a period better known as the Industrial Revolution. During this time, labor and processes traditionally performed by hand were replaced by new machines that could perform tasks more efficiently.
Although new methods and machinery simplified work and increased output, industrialization introduced new problems as well. Some of the drawbacks included air and water pollution and soil contamination that resulted in a significant deterioration of quality of life and life expectancy. Industrialization also exacerbated the separation of labor and capital. Those who owned the means of production became disproportionately rich, resulting in wider income inequality. Industrialization impacted society in other ways. Workers were forced leave their families and migrate to urban areas in search of jobs. They worked long hours, were poorly nourished and lived in overcrowded conditions, which led to disease and stress.
Key Takeaways
- Industrialization is the transformation of a society from agrarian to a manufacturing or industrial economy.
- Industrialization contributes to negative externalities such as environmental pollution.
- Separation of capital and labor creates a disparity in incomes between laborers and those who control capital resources.
- Industrialization also contributes to the deterioration of health among workers, crime and other societal problems.
Environmental Disadvantages
One negative byproduct of industrialization is environmental pollution that can adversely impact human health. When companies do not pay tor the environmental damage they cause, or when these harms are not captured in pricing, this is considered a negative externality. The cost burden is placed on human society in the form of deforestation, extinction of species, widespread pollution, excessive waste and other forms of environmental degradation.
In the U.S, President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to push for environmental standards and seek ways to minimize the impact that industries have on the environment.
Financial Disadvantages
Industrialization results in a wider gap between the rich and poor due to a division of labor and capital. Those who own capital tend to accumulate excessive profits derived from their economic activities, resulting in a higher disparity of income and wealth.
Social Disadvantages
Industrialization typically leads to the migration of workers to cities, automation and repetitive tasks. Due to these factors, factory workers tend to lose their individuality, have limited job satisfaction and feel alienated. There can also be health issues brought on by dangerous working conditions or factors inherent to the working conditions, such as noise and dirt.
Rapid urbanization brought on by industrialization typically leads to the general deterioration of workers' quality of life and many other problems for society, such as crime, stress and psychological disorders. Long working hours usually lead to poor nutrition and consumption of quick and low-quality foods, resulting in increased incidences of diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks and stroke.
Causes
The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the 1760s, largely with new developments in the textile industry.
Before that time making cloth was a slow process. After wool was gathered it had to be spun into yarn and then woven into fabric by hand. A machine called a spinning jenny, first conceived by James Hargreaves in 1764, made it easier to spin yarn. In 1793 Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin, which helped clean cotton after it was picked. These and other devices permitted increased production with a smaller expenditure of human energy.
Whitney also came up with the idea of interchangeable parts. Before a worker would spend a great deal of time making a single product by hand. Whitney discovered that a machine could make many copies of the individual parts of a product at once. The parts could then be assembled by any worker. This meant that many goods could be produced quickly.
Other changes that helped bring about the Industrial Revolution included the use of steam, and later of other kinds of power, in place of the muscles of human beings and of animals.
Another key development was the adoption of the factory system. This system of manufacturing is based on the concentration of industry into specialized—and often large—establishments. The use of waterpower and then the steam engine to mechanize processes such as cloth weaving in Britain in the second half of the 18th century marked the beginning of the factory system.
Effects
The Industrial Revolution brought about sweeping changes in economic and social organization.
These changes included a wider distribution of wealth and increased international trade.
Managerial hierarchies also developed to oversee the division of labor.
By the late 1700s many people could no longer earn their living in the countryside. Increasingly, people moved from farms and villages into bigger towns and cities to find work in factories.
Cities grew larger, but they were often dirty, crowded, and unhealthy.
Machines greatly increased production. This meant that products were cheaper to make and also cheaper to buy. Many factory owners became rich.
Although the machines made work easier in some ways, factory work created many problems for the laborers. Factory employees did not earn much, and the work was often dangerous. Many worked 14 to 16 hours per day six days per week. Men, women, and even small children worked in factories.
Workers sought to win improved conditions and wages through labor unions. These organizations helped establish laws to protect workers. Such laws, for instance, limited the number of work hours for employees and guaranteed they would be paid a certain amount.
The process of industrialization continues around the world, as do struggles against many of its negative effects, such as industrial pollution and urban crowding.