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What was the Industrial Revolution?
Quick answer
The Industrial Revolution (roughly 1760–1840) was the shift from hand production to machines, factories, and steam power that began in Britain and transformed economies and daily life — moving people from farms to cities and launching the modern industrial world.
Key things to understand
- Steam power and machinery replaced manual and animal labor.
- Textile manufacturing and the factory system led the change.
- People migrated from rural areas to fast-growing industrial cities.
- It raised output and living standards over time, but brought harsh early factory conditions.
People also ask
When was the Industrial Revolution?
It began in Britain around 1760 and spread through the 1800s across Europe and North America.
What caused the Industrial Revolution?
A combination of new technology (the steam engine), available capital and labor, raw materials like coal, and growing demand.
Why did it start in Britain?
Britain had coal, capital, access to markets, and relative political stability that favored innovation and trade.