Economic and Social Transformation: 1750–1870

Posted on Nov 18, 2025 in Geography

Causes of the Industrial Revolution

The political situation reconciled the interests of the landed aristocracy and the bourgeoisie.
Population growth increased the demand for products and labor.
Improvements in transport and communications boosted trade and favored the formation of an internal market.
Abundant availability of energy and mineral resources favored British industrial development.
Agricultural transformation supported population growth.

Technical changes involved replacing human labor with powerful machines driven by new energy sources.
Changes in work organization involved replacing the small workshop with the large factory. This system brought together machinery and workers, leading to the emergence of the division of labor.

International influence became measured by a nation’s level of industrialization.
Influenced population growth and urban expansion.
Encouraged the development of other economic activities and fostered the growth of capitalism.
Created a class society based on the wealth possessed by each individual.
Favored the development of science and technology.

The population rose from 140 to 300 million people between 1750 and 1870. The primary cause was the decline in mortality due to improved feeding and hygiene in urban areas. Consequently, this progress led to emigration to other continents.
Cities experienced significant growth between 1750 and 1870, driven by natural population increase and migration.
- Middle-class neighborhoods, typically located in the center, featured a regular layout, wide, paved streets, and spacious, quality buildings.
- Working-class neighborhoods, situated near factories, had a disorganized layout, narrow streets, lacked essential services, and consisted of small, poor-quality houses.

The railroad emerged with the invention of the first locomotive. Early railways circulated in Britain, covering very short distances on flat terrain. This new mode of transportation was not widely adopted until George Stephenson designed a locomotive capable of driving on steep slopes.

The steamer emerged when American Robert Fulton applied steam power to navigation. The first steamboats were propelled by large paddle wheels.

Stock markets were establishments where shares (stocks) were bought and sold.
Banks invested customer deposits by lending to businesses. The acceptance of checks and bills of exchange became widespread.

The bourgeoisie was an ascendant social group. It accessed political power, formed part of the cultural elite, and promoted its own ideology.

Working Conditions: Work typically lasted between 14 and 16 hours daily, and wages were very low.
The life of the workers was miserable. They settled in neighborhoods near the factories, which often became hotbeds of diseases and epidemics.

Initially, the movement promoted violence against employers and the destruction of machines (Luddism). Workers also founded mutual aid societies.
Later, trade unions (workers’ associations) were created. Their primary objective was the improvement of working conditions.