AP European History
Advanced Placement European History studying European civilization from 1450 to present.
Industrialization and Social Change
The Industrial Revolution
Beginning in Britain in the late 18th century, the Industrial Revolution marked a massive shift from agrarian societies to industrial economies. New inventions, like the steam engine and spinning jenny, revolutionized production, transportation, and daily life.
Urbanization and Social Impact
Factories attracted people to cities, creating a new urban working class. This rapid change brought challenges—crowded living conditions, child labor, and harsh factory work—but also opportunities, like higher wages and new social mobility.
Responses and Reforms
Factory workers and reformers demanded better conditions, leading to labor unions, new laws, and social reforms. The period also saw the rise of ideologies like socialism and liberalism, which continue to shape politics today.
Key Points
- Transformation from rural to urban society
- Invention and technology driving economic growth
- Social challenges and reform movements
Examples
Child labor laws were introduced after public outcry over factory conditions.
Railroads connected cities and boosted trade across Europe.
In a Nutshell
Industrialization turned Europe into an industrial powerhouse, changing where and how people lived and worked.