The Industrial Revolution (as far as European History goes) lasted from the beginning of the 1700s to roughly the 1840s, it was led by Great Britain which was the world power for much of modern history (1500-present) until roughly post WW2 (when the US became the primary world power). The Industrial Revolution came to the US a bit later than in Europe, from 1793 until the early 1900s.
The Industrial Revolution was significant because it made everyday tasks such as making clothes and farming much quicker and more efficient. Before this period, most products had to be made by hand. As a result of the Industrial Revolution products could be mass-produced and intensive labor could be reduced. This also was when society shifted regarding what areas were more populated. Before the Industrial Revolution, most people lived in the country rather than in cities, to work in the factories. But as a result of the Industrial Age, more people lived in cities rather than in rural areas.
The Industrial Revolution was also significant because many people started to question the idea of working conditions such as the safety and health of those working as well. Child labor laws came as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Children were working in minefields and other factories in Europe and the US. Children were easier to use certain machinery because of their small hands. Unions came from the Industrial Revolution. The 8-hour work day was a result of questioning how long could a person work a healthy amount (since sending people to work in a dingy factory for 14 hours was being questioned). The Industrial Revolution pushed forth a lot of ideas about working conditions and people’s rights.
