Factories, Machines, and City Life

The Industrial Revolution, starting in Britain in the late 18th century, transformed Europe’s economy, society, and environment. New inventions in textiles, steam power, and transportation led to mass production and the growth of cities.

Social and Economic Shifts

• Rise of a working class and a new wealthy industrial middle class.
• Crowded urban centers with poor living conditions.
• Labor unions emerged to fight for workers’ rights.

Challenges and Responses

• Child labor, pollution, and unsafe factories became pressing issues.
• Reformers and governments began to pass laws for better working and living conditions.

Real-World Legacy

Industrialization set the pattern for today’s urban societies and technological economies. Understanding this period helps explain current debates about labor, urbanization, and economic inequality.