Industrial Revolution: Economic and Domestic Ups

The society of Western Europe had a sudden growth of economics. Relative to production, Spielvogel states, “Until James Hargreave's spinning jenny, perfected by 1768, enabled spinners to produce yarn in greater quantities”. The first industry, the cotton industry, increased in production due to this machine, as a result, this industry would get an increase in its economy. Chronologically, the railroad system was established to export the productions to and from factories, furthering economic growth, as stated in Spielvogel, “To many economic historian, railroads were the "most important single factor in promoting European economic progress in the 1830s and 1840s”. It is clearly stated that railroads had a significance to Europe"s economy. Without railroads, it would make it difficult to export the surfeit of production making it necessary for the railroads. Economics continued to grow and eventually spread internationally. Marx states, “Modern industry has established the world trade market, for which the discovery of America paved the way. This market has given an immense development to commence, to communication by land.” This demonstrates economy reached out international as industry progressed to modern industry. If railroads and machinery were excluded then economics would have never reached out internationally. In conclusion, economy advanced to the next level due to changes brought by the industrial revolution.

In addition to economics, society developed socially as well. Women were given recognization and respect. Sanford states, “She [women] does what she can; but she is conscious of inferiority, and therefore grateful for support. She knows that she is the weaker vessel, and that as such she should receive honor. In this view, her weakness is an attraction, not a blemish”(6). Sanford acknowledges the fact that women are weak in society and they should receive honor to make it fair between gender. Furthermore, being weak is not a “blemish”, in fact, her weakness is necessary in order to give her advantages and recognization. Women were respected as well. For this, Mrs.Beeton's Book of Household management states, “As with the commander of an army, or the leader of any enterprise, so is it with the mistress of a house”(1). Women have control over their household, in the contrary to men controlling everything. Moreover, they are compared to a commander of an army, demonstrating respect given to women. To sum up, during the time of the Industrial revolution, women are recognized and respected, which is a social positive.

Hence, the industrial revolution of the 19 th century had positive changes for Western Europe in both economics and socials. Machinery led to mass production, which led to railroads and eventually led to world trade. Also, women gain honor and recognization, making social life fair between genders. Therefore, one can say the Industrial Revolution caused drastic economic and domestic social changes, both positive traits.