World History in Europe

Imagine a place of vast transformation and new discoveries. One would probably be thinking of an era flying vehicles and moveable sidewalks. No, we’re not talking about a skit from the Jetsons cartoon, but rather the society in Europe during the industrialization era. The year is 1900 and Europe has changed significantly from the age of exploration in the 17th century. To most people during this time period believed that this was future, a revolutionary feat that would change the world forever. European countries are thriving off the industrial factories and enormous amounts of trade. British, French, German, and Belgium states are all producing massive factories to support a growing desire for new industrial goods. Railroads and steam powered boats increase the transportation of goods across vast distances, while large work forces drive the industrial era to its limits. How did Europeans push toward such a serious transformation? The answer can be seen in the mid-18th century when dramatic changes started become more prevalent. European states saw significant changes politically and economically during the 18th and 19th centuries. By incorporating new methods of factories and protective tariffs, states prospered very well during this time period. European states also used the previous ideas from the Enlightenment period to reject traditional methods, for new revolutionary ideas that applied to all aspects of society. Not only did Europe change politically and economically, but it created new ideals that changed the social system in Europe forever. The emerging middle class and labor classes were a direct correlation to the economic system in Europe. Despite being their own different identities, they all played a role in the form...

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...o centuries ago, people were placed into a class system by birth. In the 1880’s people were able to move social up and down the class system, which sparked social reform and protests by socialist supports. Men, women, and children found themselves working in factories for the first time in human history. Families reduced in size and started to value an education. Political speaking, the European states introduced relief forms for the poor and enforced child labor laws. In order to protect their economies states also produce protective tariffs in order to keep foreign competitors at bay. Western Europe changed dramatically from the beginning of the 17th century; therefore, the entire world was altered by such a revolutionary impact of transformation.

Works Cited

Bentley, Ziegler, Traditions and Connections, 669

Stearns, Industrial Revolution in World History, 89