Technology and Society

4

The Industrial Revolution

In this chapter we examine the social and political background of the epoch making phenomenon known as the Industrial Revolution. We also look into its technical aspects as well as its impact on society. Though the Industrial Revolution created a mammoth jump in production, it was much more than that. It involved a reorganization of the production process, from craft mode to factory mode. Production came to be controlled by capitalists, and the actual producers became mere wage labourers. This resulted in a complete reorganization of society. The total extent of goods and services available increased tremendously. But the difference between the haves and have-nots also increased. The workers were exploited in an unscrupulous ...