The Industrial Revolution's Effect on Social Class History Essay (Essay Sample)

The Industrial Revolution's Effect on Social Class
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The Industrial Revolution's Effect on Social Class
Every industrial revolution prompted multiple benefits and challenges to the economic status of the countries that have engaged in such transformations. Great Britain, for instance, led the first industrial revolution with the discovery of commercial steam engine, which revolutionized transportation and other industrial developments. The United States primarily led the second industrial revolution in which telephone innovation revolutionized communication. With internet invention, the third industrial revolution transformed the world economic landscape. Although these industrial revolutions have led to increased productivity, advanced welfare, and improved economic growth, they had specific effects on the social class.
The economic developments of the industrial revolution advanced fundamental social changes. Industrialization led to the phenomenon of urbanization as many people moved to urban centers in pursuit of employment opportunities. Some individuals became wealthy as others lived in horrible conditions. While prosperous ship owners, merchants, and industrialists accumulated wealth, the working classes lived in crowded environments with minimum comfort (Morrar, Arman & Mousa, 2017). Children worked in factories where they experienced exploitation as women underwent profound changes in their lifestyle. On the contrary, the middle class reaped the enormous benefits of new prosperity, as they spent their free time entertaining themselves in concert halls and theatres.