The Industrial West - Responses to Modernization

THE INDUSTRIAL WEST - RESPONSES TO MODERNIZATION
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The Industrial West - Responses to Modernization
The social, economic, and political environments of nations like Britain, Germany, and the United States saw substantial transformation due to the industrial revolution. The new technologies, such as the steam engine, the telegraph, and the power loom, allowed for the mass manufacturing of commodities, cities' expansion, and the emergence of new forms of communication and transportation. These developments significantly impacted people's lives as individuals and as groups, opening possibilities and posing problems that sparked various reactions. As many people and groups responded differently to the social, economic, and political changes brought on by industrialization, the reactions to modernization in the industrial West were complicated and multidimensional. While some people welcomed the new prospects and technology, others fought or rejected them, yet others tried to change or limit how they would affect society.
Positive Responses to Modernization
Economic and Industrial Changes During the Industrial Revolution
During the Industrial Revolution, new technology captivated people. The reforms offered many opportunities to better their lives. Entrepreneurs and innovators used new technology to start new businesses and create jobs. Railroads and steamships boosted trade and commerce, boosting economic expansion. These improvements created new sectors like cloth and steel, increasing productivity and income. Modernization was positively received since many people's living standards improved. Some took advantage of industrial capitalism and urbanization's new possibilities. Entrepreneurs invested in new technology and markets, establishing new industries and services. They became the new elites by amassing immense riches and power. Urban laborers and migrants adapted to city life, developing new communities, cultures, and politics. Labor unions, mutual assistance groups, and political parties demanded improved pay, working conditions, and social welfare.[Nubia Carvalho et al., “Manufacturing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Positive Prospect in Sustainable Manufacturing,” Procedia Manufacturing 21 (2018): 675.]
Technology, infrastructure, and industrial improvements created new options and possibilities, driving favorable responses to modernization. New technology inspired entrepreneurs and innovators to start new businesses and services. New technology created the textile and steel industries, which created jobs and riches. Transportation networks like railways and steamships boosted trade and commerce by moving goods and people more quickly. Positive answers to modernity improved living standards. Goods became more affordable due to increased industrial output and efficiency. These changes raised many people's living standards. Medicine, education, and social welfare also enhanced people's lives.[Nubia Carvalho et al., “Manufacturing in the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Positive Prospect in Sustainable Manufacturing,” Procedia Manufacturing 21 (2018): 677.]
Growth of Labour Unions
In reaction to industrialization, organized labor groups grew as workers demanded better conditions and rights. Early labor movements saw strikes, rallies, and demonstrations for more salaries, shorter hours, and better working conditions. In the mid-19th century, British workers formed collective bargaining units and demanded changes, growing the trade union movement. The Knights of Labor and other US unions represented workers and promoted social justice. As the industrial West modernized, workers established labor groups to safeguard their rights and improve their situations. Employers and political authorities often opposed these movements as threatening the status quo.[Haradhan Mohajan, “The First Industrial Revolution: Creation of a New Global Human Era,” (2019): 15.]
In the mid-19th century, British workers formed collective bargaining units and demanded changes, growing the trade union movement. Long hours, poor earnings, and unsafe working conditions in new industries and mines sparked this movement. Trade unions negotiated with businesses for higher compensation, fewer hours, and safer conditions. They helped pass the Factory Act of 1833, which set factory labor conditions. The Knights of Labor and other US unions represented workers and promoted social justice. For instance, The Knights of Labor united workers of many crafts and backgrounds to fight for improved salaries and working conditions. They supported the eight-hour workweek, child labor abolition, and worker cooperatives. After the Knights of Labor faded in the late 19th century, new unions developed, including the American Federation of Labor (AFL), which dominated the labor movement in the early 20th century.[Haradhan Mohajan, “The First Industrial Revolution: Creation of a New Global Human Era,” (2019): 16.]
Creation of Women’s Movements
The Industrial Revolution changed gender roles as factories and industries needed more workers. In textile mills and other factories, women were crucial workers. Women worked in substandard circumstances and were paid less than males, but the new jobs gave women freedom and economic strength. Women faced considerable discrimination and promotion difficulties despite their expanding employment presence. They were denied voting, education, and career progression. Workplace sexual harassment and exploitation affected women. The late 19th-century women's rights movement demanded suffrage, education, and workplace equality in reaction to these injustices. The women's rights movement promoted education and employment for women. They felt better education and voting would empower women and allow them to engage more in society. They also pushed for equal pay and improved working conditions for women, defying gender prejudices that women were less capable and deserving. In 1920, the 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote. The movement created women's universities and opened new professions to women, giving them more possibilities to succeed.[Joel Mokyr, “Editor’s Introduction: The New Economic History and the Industrial Revolution,” The British Industrial Revolution, (2018): 6.]
Negative Responses to Modernization
Social and Environmental Impacts of Modernization
Due to the shift from agricultural to industrial economies, modernization displaced individuals from their traditional lifestyles. Individuals were forced to leave their farms and traditional lifestyles for urban jobs. Adjusting to new locations, cultures, and social systems caused so...