Industrial Revolution

Definition

The Industrial Revolution refers to the period in history when there was a significant shift from manual labor-based economies to machine-based manufacturing processes. It began in Britain around the late 18th century and had profound social, economic, and environmental impacts worldwide.

Analogy

Imagine life before smartphones when people relied on landline telephones for communication. The Industrial Revolution was like inventing smartphones - it revolutionized how things were done, leading to major changes in society and the way goods were produced.

Related terms

Urbanization: The process of population concentration in cities, often associated with industrialization.

Mass production: The large-scale manufacturing of standardized products using assembly lines or automation.

Pollution: The introduction of harmful substances into the environment, causing adverse effects on living organisms and ecosystems.