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Industrial society

society Maturity 11-13 Next article →

An industrial society is a way of living that relies on technology. These societies use machines to make many goods at once. This is called mass production. Because machines do so much, a society can support a huge number of people. In these societies, people do different specialized jobs. This is known as a division of labour. This way of living is very different from how people lived long ago.

Kunda tsemenditehas
Kunda tsemenditehas

These societies work by using outside energy sources. They often use fossil fuels to power their machines. This energy helps make production happen much faster and on a larger scale. Farming changes too when industry grows. Large commercial farms use machines like combine harvesters to grow food. They also use fertilizers made from fossil fuels. This means fewer people are needed to work in the fields. Those extra workers move into factories to help make other things.

Chicago and Northwestern railroad locomotive shop fsac.1a34676u
Chicago and Northwestern railroad locomotive shop fsac.1a34676u

Before the Industrial Revolution, most people lived in agrarian societies. This means they lived on farms and grew their own food. Most things were made at home or in small workshops. Skilled workers, called artisans, made items by hand. In Europe, these workers sometimes formed groups called guilds. The Industrial Revolution changed this by bringing new technology. Steam power and mass steel production became very important. This helped manufacturing become a huge part of the economy.

Worker 9
Worker 9

As these societies grew, they changed how people lived and moved. Many people moved to big cities to be near factories. This process is called urbanization. Large cities grew around these centers of production. In these cities, people also work in service industries. Some industries eventually decline as new technology is invented. For example, making carriages slowed down when cars were mass-produced. Some countries are now moving toward a post-industrial society. This means they focus more on services and information.

Clark's Sector Model
Clark's Sector Model

Industrial life also changed how people worked together. Many workers joined groups called labour unions. These groups help workers reach common goals. They bargain for better wages and fairer working conditions. Industrial changes even helped end slavery in many places. New factory methods required a complex way of working. This was often not compatible with forced labour. Today, many governments help plan and regulate these industries. They look at things like pollution and labour laws.

Airacobra P39 Assembly LOC 02902u
Airacobra P39 Assembly LOC 02902u
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File:Chicago and Northwestern railroad locomotive shop fsac.1a34676u.jpg
Chicago and Northwestern railroad...
File:Kunda tsemenditehas.jpg
Kunda tsemenditehas.jpg
File:Clark's Sector Model.png
Clark's Sector Model.png
File:Worker 9.JPG
Worker 9.JPG
File:Airacobra P39 Assembly LOC 02902u.jpg
Airacobra P39 Assembly LOC 02902u.jpg
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