Preindustrialism

Preindustrialism refers to the period of human history before the widespread adoption of industrial technologies and the factory system. This era is characterized by economies primarily based on agriculture, handicraft production, and trade, with a significant reliance on human and animal labor. Social structures were often hierarchical, with power concentrated in landowning elites and a large population of peasant farmers or laborers.

Before industrialization, manufacturing was largely carried out in homes or small workshops, a system known as the "putting-out" system or cottage industry. Tools and machines were simple and powered by human muscle, water, or wind. Technological innovation occurred, but at a much slower pace compared to the Industrial Revolution. Societies were predominantly rural, and the majority of people lived and worked in agricultural settings.

The transition from preindustrialism to industrialism, which began in the late 18th century, involved a profound transformation of economic, social, and political systems. Key developments included the invention of new machinery, the harnessing of new energy sources like steam, and the rise of factories. This shift led to mass migration from rural areas to urban centers, the growth of cities, and the emergence of new social classes, such as the industrial working class and the bourgeoisie. Understanding preindustrialism provides essential context for comprehending the massive societal changes brought about by industrialization.