The Second Industrial Revolution in World History

Table of Contents

Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

Historians have often considered ninetieth century as an important stage in human development as there were tremendous changes at this period of time. The second half of the ninetieth century witnessed path breaking inventions and so this time is aptly called as the phase of second industrial revolution. Inventions made better facilities and offered people comfortable living conditions rather than mere existence like in the earlier societal conditions. Within a short span of time, humankind entered into a new atmosphere owed by the latest science and technology. By analyzing World history, one can see the fact that second industrial revolution affected the political, social, economical, cultural and ideological life of modern people.

Main body

Science and technology greatly developed in these six decades due to many inventions. There was economic progress and it gave strength to various countries especially the United Kingdom and Germany. The influence of the second industrial revolution among the societies necessitated the number of reformations and changes in all fields of each nation. However it gradually changed the conservative out look of the governments towards the problems of their people. The governments gradually became the governments of the masses through the better periodical elections and adult franchise. The journal article entitled Democratic Development, Break Downs and Fascism comments that; Images of the western world, leads from authoritarian forms of government under the impact of the industrial-urban transformation to democratic self government (Merkl, 1981, p.1). Thus demands, life styles, concepts and ideas of the masses made comprehensive transformations in all aspects of the society.

During the period of second industrial revolution there was a rapid growth of population and it caused various complex problems. Economic exploitation, poverty, unemployment and unhealthy conditions created new demands among the people. Marjie Bloy remarks that; Chartism was the first specifically working-class movement, although Chartism and working class are both terms that cover regional variations and all types of working men: artisans to factory workers (Bloy, 2002, para.7). Political thinkers and sociologists raised their concepts related with each problem, its root causes and explained that how solve the trouble. Old laissez faire system of economy was questioned because of the sufferings of majority sections and found that it was not suitable to the changed social conditions. A number of organizations, groups, political parties and different ideologies originated to support the weaker sections. This resulted in remedial measures taken by the side of the authority as the form of many acts, voting right to all etc. The web article Public Health and Technology during the 19th Century mentions that; Legislation regarding Public Health issues finally came from many governments after the revolutions of 1848 (McVeigh, 2000, para.7). The scientific inventions of ninetieth century helped to develop public health through the establishment of modern medical colleges and hospitals.

Karl Marx and Engels were two great political thinkers who influenced the masses of ninetieth century with their scientific socialism or communism and made a call for an alternative world. The First-Second International were organizations from the part of the working class. The overall perspective of Marx and Engels was based on an analysis of the world market and on the understanding that the future socialist or communist society would be a worldwide association (Communists and the national question in the 19th century, 2001, para.1). They argued for a class struggle against the haves or the rich industrial owners and created tension in many industrial nations. Though the working class movements were suppressed by the governments they contributed to the benefit in the future. Owners of the industries were compelled to provide better working conditions and wages. It created a developed social life in twentieth century through an increased number of the middle class.

During the time of second industrial revolution the demands for consumer goods increased through the invention of the railway and steam ships. The web article Other Forms of Victorian Transport & Communication helps the reader through its comments; the first passenger-carrying underground railway was opened in London between Paddington and Farringdon on 10 January 1863 (Other forms of victorian transport & communication, 2001, para.1). This system of under ground transport was later established in New York and Paris with the cut- and-cover technique. Gradually national economy transferred into an international one and it had differences from the prior economic system. There emerged the possibility to influence every national economy if there is a decline or growth in any national economy. The basic unit of society that is the family was also greatly subjected to the way of transformation due to the changing economic, social and political factors. Status of women developed because of the independence achieved by the opportunities of the industrial revolution. Thus the role of each member in the family was adjusted with women becoming independent and able to lead the family. Importance of education was recognized for the reason that the opportunities were related to education thus contributing to the growth of literacy rate especially in the western world.

Conclusion

To conclude, regarding world history one can understand the fact that present modern world is the creation of the second industrial revolution. The greatest modifications of human society were made in the second half of the ninetieth century. One can understand that the science and technology and our modern world is complimentary because of the tremendous influence of it over the human communities.