5.10 Reading--Continuity and Change in the Industrial Age

Capital and Social Power

  • Capital as social power (Engels & Marx, 1848).

The Industrial Revolution Overview

  • Began in late 18th century; caused extensive economic, social, cultural, political, and environmental changes.

  • Impact on Production: Transformation in goods production, earning methods, and business structures.

  • Social Changes: Emergence of the middle class and working class; rise of women in factories.

  • Intellectual Influences: Enlightenment ideas influenced political philosophy (e.g., Adam Smith, Karl Marx).

  • Global Impact: Altered local and global life, continued rivalries and rigid social orders.

Economic Continuities and Changes

  • Transformation of Production: Shift from skilled artisans to factory system with unskilled labor and assembly lines.

  • Market Changes: Increased availability, affordability, and variety of consumer goods.

  • Western Europe’s Role: Combined natural resources, trade routes, population growth led to industrial leadership.

  • Scientific Innovation: Scientific and industrial revolutions enabled mass production and factory establishment.

Industrialization Globally

  • Spread of industrial production to the USA, Russia, and Japan.

  • State-sponsored industrialization in Japan and Egypt with varied success.

  • Continued dominance in Western Europe and USA; decline in manufacturing in the Middle East and Asia.

Manufacturing Output (1750-1900)

  • Percentage of World Manufacturing Output:

    • Europe: 23.2% (1750) to 62.0% (1900)

    • USA: 0.1% (1750) to 23.6% (1900)

    • Japan: peaked at 3.8% (1750) to 2.4% (1900)

    • Rest of World: 73.0% (1750) to 11.0% (1900)

Sources of Raw Materials

  • Regions continued historical production of minerals and crops;

    • Key sources: Latin America and Africa (minerals, metals), Southeast Asia (spices, rubber, tin).

  • Technological Advances: Steam power revolutionized maritime and railroad transport, improving trade efficiency.

Economic Changes in Western Europe

  • Shift from mercantilism to capitalism; philosophers like Adam Smith recognized profit's role in prosperity.

  • Emergence of the working class and calls for reform highlighted exploitation.

Social Structures and Changes

  • Working Class: Faced low wages, long hours, poor conditions, leading to labor unions and strike movements.

  • Middle Class Transformation: Inclusion of factory managers and professionals; growth overall.

  • Wealth Redistribution: Industrial capitalists surpassed aristocrats in societal status.

  • Women's Labor Role: Shift from reliance on male income to necessity of women’s work in family units, still faced inequality.

Political Changes and Continuities

  • Philosophical developments during the Industrial Revolution focused on individual rights and governance.

  • Political demands for natural rights and broader participation connected to middle and working class interests.

  • Revolution of 1848: Series of uprisings, key demands included:

    • Greater press freedom (Paris)

    • Parliamentary power (Berlin)

    • National autonomy (Hungary)

Voting Rights Developments

  • Increasing calls for voting rights among growing capitalist and middle class.

  • Expansion primarily for male voters; women gained rights much later (early 20th century).

Workers' Rights and Reforms

  • International spread of reforms initiated by one country, notably Germany under Bismarck's leadership.

  • Introduction of various social protections for workers (accident insurance, pensions).

  • Emergence of labor parties advocating for better working conditions and rights, highlighting struggles for equality throughout the 19th century.