Effects of the Industrial Revolution

During the late 1700s, great change occurred in Europe in terms of the economy and production of goods. This time was known as the Industrial Revolution. The Revolution had many effects that would forever change the course of history. Some of the effects were positive and very beneficial, whether to the workers, factory owners, or society as a whole. At the same time though, the Industrial Revolution allowed for many outcomes that were not at all favorable, ones that negatively affected mankind.

The Industrial Revolution led to many negative effects. When machines and devices were invented to aid in the farming process, less manpower was needed on the farm and many small farms were unable to sustain themselves. This caused for a large influx of people to the cities in search of jobs. As a result, the urban areas became crowded, filthy, and full of disease. There was a great loss of life due to the lack of ventilation, terrible hygienic conditions, and poor supply of water. Many people died as a result of the inhumane living conditions caused by the Industrial Revolution. Another negative outcome of the industrial revolution was the loss of traditional home life and family time. When people worked on farms, the entire family pitched in with the chores during the day, and at night they would spend quality time together. With the move to urban areas and the long hours spent in the factories, this was no longer possible. Every member of the family would have different work schedules and would come home late at night, making it impossible to perform regular family activities. This included the mothers, women who were forced to go out to work in order to provide, who were now unable to have a strong, traditional relationship with their children. A major negative effect of the Revolution was the unfair treatment of the factory workers. Owners of large businesses wanted to expand without paying heed to the conditions of their workers. They exploited their employees,