Industrial Revolution Causes of World Wars

The Industrial revolution started in the light of making the manufacturing process easy and time effective. The transition to new industrial processes in Great Britain, continental Europe, and the United States occurred between roughly 1760 and 1820 in the period known as the Industrial Revolution. The power struggle and economical shift among the countries after the industrial revolution showed increasing conflict between countries. The increasing change and potential integration of technology with machinery enhanced the chances of producing military equipment that potentially affected the war situation. 

What was the industrial revolution?

The process of transitioning from an agrarian and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine production in modern history is known as the Industrial Revolution. These technical advancements ushered in new methods of working and living, transforming society as a whole. This procedure began in the 18th century in Britain and extended throughout the world from there. The phrase “Industrial Revolution” was used by English economic historian Arnold Toynbee (1852–83) to describe Britain’s economic development from 1760 to 1840, despite earlier use by French scholars. Since Toynbee’s time, the phrase has been used to describe a process of economic transformation rather than a specific period of time. This helps to explain why certain areas, such as China and India, did not experience their first industrial revolutions until the twentieth century, while others, such as the United States and Western Europe, experienced “second” industrial revolutions by the late nineteenth century.

Where did the industrial revolution begin?

The Industrial Revolution, according to most historians, began in Great Britain around 1750. People rarely moved outside of their little towns prior to this time. People in the countryside worked as subsistence farmers, growing food to feed themselves and their families. The Industrial Revolution exemplifies the concept of scale economies. Increased manufacturing of commodities, according to this idea, enhances overall efficiency. As a result of these changes, more rural people struggled to make ends meet, and many moved to towns and cities in search of new employment. The introduction of industry has increased the growth of British cities. Manchester and Leeds, for example, expanded considerably in just a few decades. Only one in every five Britons resided in a city in 1800. That figure had climbed to half by the mid-nineteenth century. Other Western European countries, such as France, the Netherlands, and Germany, saw urban populations rise as well.

Characteristics of industrial revolution

• Agricultural improvements that allowed for the feeding of a larger nonagricultural population, 
• Economic changes that resulted in a more equitable distribution of wealth, the decline of land as a source of wealth in the face of rising industrial production, and increased international trade, and 
• Political changes that reflected shifts in economic power and new state policies. 
• Broad social changes, such as the growth of cities, the development of working-class movements, and the establishment of new authority forms, as well as 
• Cultural revolutions. Workers developed new and separate abilities; instead of being artisans who worked with hand tools, they became machine operators who were governed by factory rules. 

Finally, there was a psychological shift: a boost in confidence in one’s abilities to manage resources and master nature.

Significance of industrial revolution

Industrial revolution is significant as it helps to improve and modernise the economic and social organisation. International trade started to increase while managerial hierarchies showed division based on labour types. The distribution of wealth started to develop while urban development showed rapid increase with the main focus on factor establishment and working. The machinery work sometimes becomes risky as it involves an unhygienic situation, restricted environment and lack of views for labourers. The development of labour unions is also a significant part of the industrial revolution that helped to form the rights of labourers in modern society. 

Is the Industrial Revolution the causes of world wars?

The production of armoured cars, trucks and motorcycles, planes, Zeppelin, tanks, Mustard gas and flamethrowers by different countries created the situation of power conflict. The challenging situation in global warfare and trading enhanced the situation of war. The power conflict with available technology, industry-based development and concentration of global wealth ignited the war situation leading to the context of World War I. 

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the industrial revolution is a blessing as well as curse to mankind as the inventions and machinery manufacturing have helped in the wealth development, global circulation of cash and international trade while it also created the conflict between the major countries supported by industrial revolution. The historical analysis also showed that economic challenges and the struggle for power and dominance over international trade bred the hunger to conquer other countries and resources to ensure the stand, leading to global war.