How Did The Industrial Revolution Affect China

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The Industrial Revolution took place from the late 18th to mid-19th centuries. Industrialization marked a shift to powered, machinery, factories and mass production. The development of the steam engine along with the iron and textile industries played key roles in the Industrial Revolution, which led to improved systems of transportation and communication. While industrialization brought mass produced manufactured goods and an improved standard living for some, it also brought cruel employment and living conditions for the poor and working classes. The Industrial Revolution took part in many everyday advances, but how did it altered its relations between Britain and China? How the Industrial Revolution changed production from an organic economy …show more content…

Before the day that Industrial Revolution changed the world, the world was quite a different place to the one that exists today. It was very difficult to try and keep in touch with people in other parts of the country. The way news was being communicated was by travellers or through messengers. Since it was hard to move around because there was a lack of transportation, people had to rely upon themselves and the community to provide for the things that they need to survive on a day to day basis. Life for the majority of the population was to be a farmer. Food was produced locally and could provide for a few towns. Clothing was made locally as well, making use of animal hides and furs because cotton wasn’t imported in large quantities until later. Education wasn’t for everyone and was only being catered to the rich who could afford nannies and private tutors. These everyday occurrences changed when the discovery of coal sparked the change in everyday living. Instead of producing items by hand, it is now possible to have the machines produce them. Industries in textile manufacturing, mining, agriculture, etc. all had undergone changes. For example, before the Industrial Revolution, textiles were made out of wool and were hand spun; but with the invention of the spinning wheel, cotton was being produced quicker. This in turn, dramatically reduced the time it would take to make it and the cost to produce the material. The Industrial Revolution had an impact in how goods were being produced and instead of utilizing artisans to produce hand-made items, machines such as the spinning wheel to produce textiles, the water wheel and steam engine to produce power eventually replaced the artisan. However, since the materials are now being produced cheaper and quicker, the demand for manufactured goods forced factories to work late and place hard demands on men, women, and children in the