Industrializace

Industrializace refers to the process of transforming an agrarian or handicraft-based economy into one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. This transition is characterized by significant technological advancements, particularly in the development and widespread use of new machinery, factories, and energy sources like steam power and later electricity. The Industrial Revolution, beginning in Great Britain in the late 18th century, is the most prominent historical example of this phenomenon.

Key features of industrializace include a shift in population from rural agricultural areas to urban centers in search of factory work, leading to rapid urbanization. This also involves changes in social structures, with the rise of a new industrial working class and a growing middle class of factory owners and managers. The production of goods becomes more efficient and large-scale, leading to increased availability and often lower prices for manufactured items.

However, industrializace also brings challenges. These can include poor working conditions, long hours, child labor, and significant environmental pollution. The economic and social transformations brought about by industrializace have profound and lasting effects on societies, shaping modern economies and lifestyles. It is a complex process with both positive and negative consequences that continue to be studied and debated.