5.7 Industrialization: Effects

New social classes emerge

Industrialization created a rising middle class (bourgeoisie) of factory owners, merchants, and professionals who gained wealth and political influence. Meanwhile, a working class (proletariat) grew in cities, facing long hours, low wages, child labor, and dangerous conditions in factories and mines.

Urbanization and its problems

Factories drew massive populations into cities, causing rapid urbanization. Overcrowding led to poor sanitation, disease outbreaks like cholera, pollution, and inadequate housing. Reformers pushed for public health measures, labor laws, and eventually labor unions to fight for better wages and conditions.

Environmental and global effects

Industrial growth caused severe environmental degradation: deforestation, coal smoke pollution, and resource depletion. Globally, industrialized nations sought raw materials and markets abroad, fueling imperialism, while non-industrialized regions became economically dependent, supplying resources to industrial powers.

Key terms

Bourgeoisie

The rising middle class of factory owners, merchants, and professionals during industrialization.

Proletariat

The industrial working class who labored in factories under difficult conditions for low wages.

Urbanization

The rapid growth of cities as people moved for factory jobs, often leading to overcrowding and poor sanitation.

Labor unions

Worker organizations formed to demand better wages, hours, and working conditions.

Industrialization and imperialism

Industrial nations expanded overseas for raw materials and markets, driving new imperial conquests.

Try an AP-style question

Industrialization in Britain led to…

1. rapid urbanization and crowded cities
2. the end of trade
3. declining city populations
4. fewer factory jobs