Vorindustriellen

Vorindustriellen is a term used in economic history to describe the phase and societies that existed before industrialization and widespread machine production. The concept covers economies that were predominantly agrarian, with cottage industries, artisanal crafts, and limited division of labor. Energy came mainly from human and animal labor, supplemented by water and wind power, rather than by coal-fired machinery.

In the preindustrial era, urbanization was relatively low and settlements tended to be small. Production was closely linked to local resources and agricultural cycles, and markets operated at regional scales rather than global ones. Social structures ranged from feudal arrangements to early mercantile systems, with varying levels of central authority and institutions.

Regional variations are substantial. In Europe, the preindustrial period generally extends from the Middle Ages to the onset of significant mechanization in the late 18th century, though timing differed by region. In other parts of the world, preindustrial features persisted longer or transformed differently due to distinct cultural, political, and environmental conditions. Proto-industrialization and early industrial developments began to alter these patterns before full factory-based industrialization took hold.

Significance and limitations: the term helps historians compare economies by their production methods, energy use, and living standards before the mass adoption of machines. It is a broad, sometimes oversimplified label that must be applied with attention to regional diversity. The transition to industrial society brought mechanization, urban growth, and new social and environmental dynamics that redefined economic life.