The Modern Age in Europe — (C) Industrial Revolution

Agrarian Revolution

John Key

Trade Union Movement

Rise of nation states

Karl Marx

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — Easily available raw material and market favoured the industrial revolution in England.

(A) is true but (R) is false.

Explanation — In capitalism, the means of production such as labour, raw material, tools and machines are owned and controlled by Capitalists and not by the public.

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — Loss of traditional jobs was one of the effects of industrial revolution. It also led to exploitation of women and children as they were hired as labourers for very low wages.

(R) is the reason for (A)

Explanation — The negative effects of capitalism, such as wealth inequality and poor working conditions, along with a desire to improve the condition of workers, did contribute to the rise of socialism.

The Industrial Revolution is the name given to a series of changes that brought about a transition from production by hand to production by machine, from small-scale production to large scale production, from handmade goods to machine-made goods. It denotes all those changes that took place in the field of industry during the second half of the 18th century and the first half of 19th century.

Two consequences of the Industrial Revolution in the economic field were:

1. By 1820s, income level for most workers began to improve.
2. The economy was expanding at a rate that was more than twice the pace at which it had grown before Industrial Revolution.

The economic system which generates and gives power to capitalists (owner of wealth or capital) is known as Capitalism.

Karl Marx was a German political philosopher and economist who gave revolutionary socialist ideas.

His outstanding works are Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital.

Socialism is defined as an economic system in which the means of production are owned not by private individuals but by the community in order that all may share more fairly in the wealth produced. The evil effects of Capitalism and the spirit of improving the condition of workers gave birth to socialism.

As a result of Industrial Revolution the society was divided into two distinct classes — the Capitalist and the Socialists. The capitalists had their selfish interests and they began to exploit the workers. They paid them low wages and made them work for long hours. They amassed great wealth and began to lead a luxurious life at the cost of the workers. The rich were becoming richer and the poor, still poorer. This gulf went on widening and created social disharmony and ultimately led to struggle between the two classes. The socialist took the cause of the workers and tried to save them from the exploitation of the capitalists.

Two effects of the Industrial Revolution on the general public were:

1. Loss of traditional jobs — Women in households, who had earned income from spinning, found the new factories taking away their source of income. Skilled labourers lost their jobs as new machines replaced them.
2. Exploitation — In the factories, people had to work for long hours under harsh conditions. Factory owners and managers paid the minimum amount necessary for a workforce, often recruiting women and children at low wages.

Two advantages of Industrialisation are:

1. Industrialisation increased the national wealth, raised the standard of living, made life more comfortable. The economy was expanding at a rate that was more than twice the pace at which it had grown before Industrial Revolution.
2. The widespread poverty and constant threat of mass starvation that had haunted the pre-industrial age were reduced.

Two bad effects of the Industrial Revolution on labourers were:

1. Exploitation — People had to work for long hours and under harsh condition. Factory owners and managers paid the minimum amount necessary for a workforce, often recruiting women and children to tend the machines because they could be hired for very low wages.
2. Stress and Strain — Due to division of labour, each worker had to perform one task rather than a single worker doing the entire job. This improved productivity but made jobs repetitive and boring. Workers had to labour for many hours often more than 12-14 hours and people worked 6 days a week. Factory workers faced strict rules and close supervision by the managers. Safety was not a matter of concern, and workers often suffered serious even fatal accidents.

(a) The given picture shows a factory scene which came into existence due to the Industrial Revolution. It began in England around mid-eighteenth century by mass production of goods.

It is an important event in history because it brought a transition from production by hand to production by machine, from small-scale production to large-scale production, from handmade goods to machine-made goods. Thus, within a hundred years, it brought in revolutionary changes in the political, social and economic life of the people.

(b) Two important factors responsible for its origin in England were:

1. Colonial Empire: England had a large colonial empire. From her colonies she could get raw material at cheaper rates for her factories. These colonies also served as markets for the British manufactured goods.

2. Increase in the Demand for Goods: The incentive to produce more and more goods was provided by two factors. First, the huge profits of expanding trade provided an impetus to discover new ways of increasing her production. Second, the Napoleonic wars made the English industries quite active. The Napoleonic wars damaged trade and industry of the continental countries. Since these wars were never fought in Britain, the long period of peace in Britain proved conducive to industrial production.

(c) Mass production destroyed the domestic system of production. In domestic system, production was carried out manually by craftsmen in small spaces with simple tools, and the scale of production was small. However, during Industrial revolution, the growth of industries and the use of huge machines gave rise to factories. The people of villages shifted to towns for employment in the factories. The factory system increased efficiency and output, and led to the growth of economy based on mass production and profit.

(a) Invention of machines — Invention of machinery and its use in manufacturing was the starting point of Industrial revolution. John Key, a weaver of Lancashire, invented 'The Flying Shuttle' which increased the speed of weaving. It also made the weaving of broad cloth by one man possible. A Lancashire weaver named James Hargreaves invented a machine called the spinning Jenny. It could spin eight threads at a time instead of one thread of the old-fashioned spinning wheel. Richard Arkwright invented the 'Water Frame'. It produced harder and stronger yarn than that of the spinning Jenny, but it was run by water power. It ushered the factory system.

(b) Availability of coal and iron — Natural resources such as iron and coal were available in England. The iron and coal mines were situated close to each other. Iron was used in making machines. The coal provided cheap fuel. Both these factors helped in the development of industries.

(c) Improved Transportation — In the second half of the 18th century, transport system in England was adequate. The use of tarcoal and tar enabled the construction of roads in many European countries. Steamboats and steamships were used extensively. George Stephenson designed his first locomotive engine, which was used for hauling coal in the Killingworth colliery. This brought about a revolution in transport. James Watt invented the steam engine. The discovery of steam as a source of power, facilitated the industrial revolution as it was used for transport both on land and sea.

(a) The causes for the rise of Capitalism were:

1. Increase in population — People from the rural areas migrated to the urban areas for employment, education, cultural benefits, better freedom and enjoyment.
2. Legal Requirement — There was the new enclosure law which required farmers to put fences or hedges around their fields to prevent common grazing on the land. That's why small farmers had to sell their fields as it was expensive to put fences and search for work elsewhere. These factors combined to provide a ready workforce for the new industries.
3. Growth of Towns — New manufacturing towns and cities grew dramatically. Many of these cities were located close to the coalfields that supplied fuel to the factories.
4. Mass Production — Mass production destroyed the domestic system of production. The growth of industries and use of huge machines gave rise to factories.
5. Disappearance of Small Farmers — Small farmers shifted to new industrial towns. They were forced to seek employment in the factories because they were replaced by big landlords.

(b) The impact of Capitalism on the working class is summarised below:

1. There was loss of traditional jobs. Women in households earning income from spinning and traditional handloom weavers were impacted as they could no longer compete with mechanised production. Skilled labourers lost their jobs as new machines replaced them.
2. People worked long hours under harsh conditions. Factory owners and managers often recruited women and children and paid very low wages.
3. Jobs were repetitive and boring. The labourers had to work more than 12 to 14 hours a day and six days a week. Safety was not a matter of concern. They faced strict rules and supervision with their life ruled by the clock.
4. Working people moved to cities and cities became over crowded. The working poor lived in crowded areas in the centre of cities in shoddy houses.
5. By 1820s, income levels of workers began to improve and people adjusted to the different circumstances and conditions.

(c) The capitalists had their selfish interests and the began to exploit the workers. They paid them low wages and made them work for long hours. They amassed great wealth and began to lead a luxurious life at the cost of the workers. The rich were becoming richer and the poor, still poorer. This gulf went on widening and created social disharmony and ultimately led to rise of Socialism. The evil effects of Capitalism and the spirit of improving the condition of workers gave birth to Socialism.

(a) In Capitalism, the means of production like labour, raw material, tools and machines are owned by private individuals or groups of them for profit whereas in Socialism, the government owns and controls the means of production (as factories) and distribution of goods.

(b) The two key proponents of Capitalism were Richard Cantillon and Adam Smith while the two key proponents of Socialism were Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels.
Two examples of countries where Capitalism is prevalent are the USA and the UK while two examples of countries where Socialism is prevalent are China and Denmark.

(c) Capitalism is better of the two economic systems. It believes in free market and is opposed to government intervention. Many Capitalist countries like the USA, the UK, Canada and Australia; are developed and successful. To prevent the drawbacks of Capitalism, the government should enforce laws in favour of labourers and working class to prevent their exploitation. Government should enforce laws of fair minimum wages and reasonable working hours. Labour laws relating to safety of labourers and protection against exploitation should be enforced to check the evil effects of the Capitalist economic system.

(a) The person in the given picture is Karl Marx. Frederick Engels was his longtime associate and co-author. One of their famous publications was 'Das Kapital'.

(b) The causes for the rise of the socialist economic system are:

• Rise in evils of capitalism — The capitalist economy was exploiting the worker class due to which there was resentment in them.
• Trade union movements — These movements aimed at recognition of the rights of workers. The vast difference between rich and poor was brought into sharp focus.
• The Chartist Movement — It was started to achieve social and political equality.

(c) They had envisioned a society without exploitation. In a socialist society, private property in the means of production would be headed by co-operative ownership. A socialist economy would not base production on the creation of private profits, but would instead base production and economic activity on the criteria of satisfying human needs. Karl Marx had envisioned a classless and stateless system.

Yes, the Industrial revolution can be considered as an offshoot of the Renaissance. After the Renaissance and the Reformation, Englishmen began to enjoy the freedom of thought and expression. There was scope for experimentation; and the government did not interfere in their daily life. It was in this atmosphere that the Englishmen thought of new methods of production. Therefore, we can say that the industrial revolution started as a result of congenial environment provided after Renaissance.

Industrial revolution has made the lives of people miserable, specially skilled workers and traditional weavers. As I can see, the traditional weavers are not weaving clothes anymore because there are no buyers for hand woven clothes. People are buying factory made clothes that are available at cheaper price. They have lost their jobs and means of their livelihood. Skilled workers have lost their jobs to machines that are faster and more efficient. Women are most affected as they are mostly confined to unpaid household works. Iron smelters and wood craftsmen have also left their jobs and most of them have migrated to cities to work as labourers. Agriculture sector has also been affected as the farmers have left farming and have moved to cities in a hope to earn money.

Overall, I can feel the painful and miserable lives of the traditional workers. They are in dire need of some help from the government or system so that they can restart their lives.

I will choose Capitalism as it has proven to be the most effective system for generating wealth, creating jobs, and improving standards of living for people around the world.

Capitalism provides a framework for a dynamic, efficient, and innovative economy that respects individual freedom and choice. It believes in free market and is opposed to government intervention. Many Capitalist countries like the USA, the UK, Canada and Australia; are developed and successful.

To prevent the drawbacks of Capitalism, the government should enforce laws in favour of labourers and working class to prevent their exploitation. Government should enforce laws of fair minimum wages and reasonable working hours. Labour laws relating to safety of labourers and protection against exploitation should be enforced to check the evil effects of the Capitalist economic system.

While socialism has its own advantages, it often involves government control of the means of production, distribution, and exchange, which can lead to inefficiencies and a lack of innovation. This can stifle individual initiative, creativity, and entrepreneurship.