The Age of Industrialization Class 10 ||History|| Chapter 4 NCERT Notes
1. Before the Industrial Revolution
- Proto-industrialization: This phase refers to a period of large-scale production for international markets, but without factories. The proto-industrial system involved artisans and craftsmen working from their homes or small workshops.
- Guilds: These were associations of artisans and merchants in pre-industrial Europe, controlling the production and trade of specific goods. Guilds restricted new entries and maintained quality standards but were gradually challenged by the coming of industrialization.
- The putting-out system: Merchants supplied raw materials to artisans and collected finished goods for sale, bypassing the guilds. This system was important before factories took over.
2. The Beginning of Industrialization in Europe
The Industrial Revolution started in the mid-18th century in Britain and rapidly spread to other parts of Europe and America.
Factors leading to industrialization:
- Inventions and technological advancements: The development of machines like the spinning jenny (James Hargreaves) and steam engine (James Watt) increased production efficiency.
- Surplus capital: Wealthy merchants and investors provided the capital to establish factories.
- Colonial resources: Colonies provided raw materials like cotton, tea, and spices, which fueled industries in Europe.
- Availability of labor: The migration of rural people to cities due to agricultural changes (like enclosure movements) provided cheap labor for industries.
3. The Spread of Industrialization to Other Parts of Europe
- France: Industrialization was slower due to the effects of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic wars.
- Germany: The industrial revolution began later in Germany but advanced rapidly in the late 19th century with the development of heavy industries like steel and coal.
- USA: The American industrial revolution began in the early 19th century, focusing on textiles, railroads, and steel.
4. The Peculiarities of Industrial Growth in India
India experienced industrial growth much later, and its experience was shaped by colonial rule. British policies were aimed at turning India into a supplier of raw materials and a market for British goods, limiting India's industrial development.
- Indian handloom and crafts industries: Before industrialization, India was a major exporter of high-quality textiles. Handloom weavers, especially in places like Bengal, dominated the market.
- Deindustrialization: As British industrial goods flooded the Indian market, local industries declined. Indian artisans were unable to compete with cheaper British goods produced using advanced machines.
- The role of Indian entrepreneurs: Despite colonial constraints, some Indian entrepreneurs established factories and began competing with British industries. Figures like Jamshedji Tata (founder of Tata Steel) and Dwarkanath Tagore played significant roles in Indian industrialization.
- First modern factories: By the mid-19th century, the first cotton and jute mills were established in India (e.g., Bombay, Calcutta). These mills were set up by Indian and European entrepreneurs.
5. Industrialization and Urbanization
With industrialization came the rapid growth of cities. The rise of factories attracted people from rural areas to urban centers, seeking jobs and better opportunities.
Key features of urbanization:
- Migration to cities: As agriculture became less profitable, large numbers of people migrated from the countryside to cities like Manchester in Britain and Bombay in India.
- Living conditions: Urban areas became crowded and unsanitary due to rapid population growth, leading to the spread of diseases.
- New classes: Industrialization gave rise to a new working class and a wealthy middle class of factory owners and merchants.
6. Workers in the Industrial Age
- Working conditions: Workers in factories faced long hours, low wages, and harsh conditions. There was little regard for safety, and accidents were common. Child labor was also rampant.
- Protests and strikes: As conditions worsened, workers began organizing to demand better wages and working conditions. Trade unions emerged in response to industrialization to protect workers' rights.
- Women workers: Many women worked in textile mills and factories but were often paid less than men. Over time, they also organized and participated in protests.
7. Technological Changes in the Industrial World
- Spinning Jenny (1764): Invented by James Hargreaves, it allowed workers to spin several threads at once, speeding up textile production.
- Steam engine (1769): James Watt’s steam engine revolutionized industries by providing reliable and efficient power.
- Railways: The introduction of railways in the 19th century transformed the transportation of goods and raw materials, reducing costs and increasing market reach.
- Factories: Factories were the hallmark of industrialization, providing a centralized location for production. Machines replaced hand labor, increasing efficiency and output.
8. Colonialism and Industrialization
- India and other colonies were major sources of raw materials like cotton, jute, and minerals. These materials were processed in European factories and sold back to colonial markets.
- Economic exploitation: Colonial powers (especially Britain) structured trade policies to benefit their industries at the expense of local economies. India, for instance, was turned into a major cotton supplier, while British goods destroyed India’s handicraft industries.
9. The Impact of Industrialization on Society
- Social transformation: Industrialization shifted power from land-owning elites (aristocrats) to industrial capitalists (factory owners). The working class emerged as a significant social group, leading to social changes and challenges.
- Cultural changes: As cities grew and people migrated for work, traditional lifestyles and family structures changed. Education and leisure activities expanded as people earned more.
- Rise of socialism: The exploitation of workers in factories led to the rise of ideologies like socialism and communism, advocating for workers' rights and the end of capitalist exploitation.
10. Indian Response to Industrialization and Colonialism
- Swadeshi Movement: In response to British dominance of Indian industries, Indian nationalists launched the Swadeshi Movement, promoting the use of Indian-made goods and boycotting British products.
- Rise of Indian industries: Industrialists like the Tatas, Birlas, and Tagores played important roles in establishing modern industries in India, particularly in steel, textiles, and banking.
- Indian factories and mills: By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Indian entrepreneurs had set up cotton and jute mills, competing with British-owned industries.
Conclusion:
The Age of Industrialization marks a significant period of economic and social change. It led to the transformation of economies from agrarian-based to industrial-based, impacted workers' lives, and shifted global trade patterns. In India, industrialization came under the shadow of colonialism, shaping its unique experience of growth and challenges.