What Changes Did the Industrial Revolution Bring About?

The Industrial Revolution brought changes in the textile industry, communication, transportation and the overall quality of life. All of these changes helped move society from being more agrarian to being primarily industrial.

The invention of the spinning jenny and power loom moved textiles from a cottage industry to factories. The changes improved many of the inefficiencies that once existed.

During the revolution, the invention of the telegraph improved communication. The travel of news of important events was no longer limited by the time it took for a messenger to arrive. In 1866, the first transatlantic cable connected the United States with Europe.

As the steel industry developed, it provided the raw materials for the steam engine. Robert Fulton’s steamboat made trade across the ocean more efficient than carrying goods while depending on sails. The creation of railroads in the United States and Great Britain made travel easier than ever.

For the middle and upper class, the Industrial Revolution made life easier. Products that were once only available by creating them at home became commercially available. However, the changes decreased the quality of life for the poor. Factory workers spent long hours laboring at their jobs. Children became responsible for the most dangerous jobs and worked long hours. Housing was often crowded, and the conditions were unsanitary for factory workers.

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