A Time of Great Change

The Indusrial Revolution was a time period from the end of the 18th century to the beginning of the 19th century, when the introduction of new ways of mass producing goods changed the economic and social aspects of life in Great Britain. Efficiency had increased by such a large percentage, that Great Britian had become one of the top exporters for the entire world; producing textiles, chemicals, glass products, and mine products that are more easily acquirable with the use of machines. The need for new ways of transporting the goods had called for an all new transport infrastructure. A new turnpike road system, canals, and water networks were built to fulfill the need for transportation. The Industrial Revolution also created new social classews based on virtue of ownership, the middle calls eventually triumphed over the noblemen because of the need for factory workers. Most cildren suffered though, because of the use of child labor, even though infancy deaths had greatly improved. The government tried to limit child labor with the implication of laws, but factory owners resisted because of the cheap labor children offered. Eventually a law was passed that limited the working age to nine years old. Urbanization was also an increased occurance in the Industrial Revolution as most jobs were in the cities with the factories. A second Industrial Revolution took place between 1870 and 1914, giving way for the advancements in technology that are used today.