The industrial revolution's impact on manufacturing and economic development

¶ … Economics/Politics

Portfolio on Various Economic and Political Concepts

The Industrial Revolution

What was Changed by the Industrial Revolution

How the Revolution Changed the Economy

Examples from Past and Present (1900's & today)

The Industrial Revolution, a multi-decade event that took place in the 19th century (1820-approx. 1870), completely transformed the way goods were produced across two continents. Prior to its start, which took place in the UK, and its continuation, especially focused in Germany and the U.S., most goods were produced by hand, at home.

The revolution, however, mechanized production processes and introduced machines and factories that, inevitably, improved and increased production. Yet this could not have been achieved without various inventions, such as the cotton gin and other weaving machines, or water powered machines (i.e. trains), many of which propelled countries, and especially the American economy, forward in a unique and successful way.

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, American society in particular was very pastoral, and very much home based. Even in big cities, where trade was often omnipresent through the comings and goings of ships, there were many inefficiencies, and business was almost always conducted from a local perspective, with a handful of employees.

Once the revolution took place and introduced machines and other mechanized processes, businessmen had not only better products to sell, especially in the manufacturing industry, but also products that were more easily produced by a larger workforce, and which could be more easily carried across a country such as the U.S. Or traded between countries. It was because of this singular event in human history that countries such as the U.S., UK and Germany are the forefront runners of the world economy today.

An example of how the revolution changed the processes of the past, especially in the 1900's, can be seen by its mechanization of the manufacturing process, especially in relation to clothing and, later, automobiles. It was because of the Industrial Revolution that the latter facet especially was introduced, evolved, and aids life in so many ways today.

It would not have been possible for Henry Ford, for instance, to put in place his highly mechanized, factory-based process, and construct such a strong, lasting industry, without the revolution. Even today, looking at this example (cars) and others (i.e. The evolution of technology), one can see that the industrial revolution has kick started many positive innovations and ideas, some of which would never have taken place without this fantastic period in Western history.

Defining Revolution and Terrorism

This section will first provide three definitions for both concepts of revolution and terrorism, and will subsequently analyze these concepts in turn, as well as offer personal understandings of these ideas. First, there are three main ways in which to define revolution. The first is offered by the Free Online Dictionary, and states that revolution means a change or an "overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed" or a radical and pervasive change in the strata of society.

A similar definition is provided by the Merriam-Webster dictionary and states that revolution signifies a sudden, fundamental and, many times, radical change, whether political, social or economic.

A third definition states that revolution is "a total or radical change; as, a revolution in one's circumstances or way of living" or "a fundamental change in political organization, or in a government or constitution; the overthrow or renunciation of one government, and the substitution of another, by the governed."

Terrorism can be defined, in turn, as "the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes," or as a method through which to resist a government.

Another definition for this concept states that terrorism is a means, often violent, of coercion.

A third definition of terrorism states that, under U.S. Law, terrorism means "premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents."

In order to demonstrate understanding of the above concepts, the definitions for each may be simplified to mean the following:

1) revolution -- an act of mobilizing change in society, whether it be social, political or economic, and

2) terrorism -- an act perpetrated by a non-state actor to intimidate and cause disorder, often premeditated.

By these personal definitions, revolution is something positive, whereas terrorism is something negative, yet in the latter case positive is not always a characteristic, and revolutions may, in fact, often be negative. A revolution, however, through American history has often been positive, and most recently, one has seen revolutions all across the Middle East, through which individuals are able to change lives and create a better society. Terrorism, however, best exemplified by the September 11 attacks on this country, is always negative, as it always brings suffering to a population.

Conclusions

This paper has discussed a variety of issues. It has included formal definitions and personal opinions on the industrial revolution, revolution vs. terrorism, global economic and global political systems. The paper has striven to provide a great deal of analysis, as requested, but also demonstrate understanding of these various facets to be analyzed.

"Revolution." (2012). Dictionary.com. Retrieved January 22, from .

"Revolution." (2012). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved January 22, from .

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"Terrorism." (2012). Dictionary.com. Retrieved January 22, from .

"Terrorism." (2012). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved January 22, from .

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