History & Civics
Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:
The introduction of machinery destroyed the domestic system of production. The growth of industries and the use of huge machines led to the establishment of factories. The people of villages shifted to towns and cities to get employment in the factories.
(a) How did mechanisation lead to the decline of the domestic system of production?
(b) Explain the impact of industrialisation on rural migration and urbanisation.
(c) What were the challenges faced by people moving to industrial cities during this period?
Answer
(a) Mechanisation, through the introduction of machines, transformed production processes that were previously carried out at home, in what was known as the domestic system of production. As machines became larger and more efficient, they were better suited to operate in factories rather than in individual homes. This led to the shift from small-scale, home-based production to large-scale, factory-based production. Consequently, the domestic system of production, which relied on individual workers producing goods at home, was replaced by factory-based manufacturing, where machinery could be used to produce goods on a much larger scale.
(b) The growth of industries and the establishment of factories had a significant impact on migration patterns and urban development. As factories were established, many people from rural areas moved to towns and cities in search of employment in the new industrial settings. This led to a large-scale rural-to-urban migration. As more workers flocked to the cities for jobs, urbanisation increased, with towns and cities growing rapidly. The population shifted from being primarily rural to being more urban, as cities became the hubs of industrial activity.
(c) People moving to industrial cities during this period faced several challenges. The rapid growth of urban areas often led to overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, as cities were not prepared for the influx of new residents. Many workers had to live in cramped, poorly constructed housing that lacked basic amenities. Additionally, the industrial cities were noisy, polluted, and often dangerous, with poor working conditions in the factories. Many people faced long hours and low wages in factory jobs, and the overall quality of life for new urban residents was difficult, with limited access to healthcare, education, and other services.
Related Questions
How did the Industrial Revolution affect women and children in the workforce?
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
"Until 1850's Britain was, we may note, almost self-sufficient in terms of foodgrains. Also, industrial growth meant urbanisation. The growth of the city's demand on the country side, especially for corn increased. Shortage of corn would cause problems in the city, especially with its unstable proletariat and the population that was employed occasionally or at regular intervals."
(Source: https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/12887/1/Unit-8.pdf)
(a) Why is surplus agricultural production necessary for industrialisation?
(b) How did industrialisation lead to urbanisation?
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
"Socialism was a direct response to the Industrial Revolution, which brought enormous economic and social change to Great Britain and the rest of the world. As industrialists grew wealthy on the labor of workers who increasingly lived in poverty, socialism emerged as an alternative to capitalism, one that could improve life for the working class."
(Source: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/socialism.asp)
(a) How did the exploitation of workers lead to the growth of socialism?
(b) What were the core principles of socialism that challenged capitalism?
(c) Discuss the role of Karl Marx and Engels in promoting socialist ideas.
The Napoleonic Wars indirectly influenced industrialisation in England. With reference to this, answer the following questions:
(a) How did England's political stability during the Napoleonic Wars support its industrial growth?
(b) What role did England's naval power play in sustaining its trade and economy during this period?
(c) How did the failure of the Continental System boost England's industrial and economic development?