What is a major effect of the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution brought about significant changes in the way goods were produced and had profound social and economic impacts, with urbanization and migration to cities for factory work being one of the most notable effects. During this period, advancements in technology and manufacturing processes led to the establishment of factories, which were largely located in urban areas.

As factories sprang up, there was a high demand for labor, prompting many people to leave rural areas in search of job opportunities in the cities. This migration transformed the demographic landscape, as populations swelled in urban centers. The shift from agrarian economies to industrial economies also led to changes in lifestyles, as workers faced new challenges and conditions associated with urban living.

In contrast, while increased agricultural output is also a result of technological advancements, it does not encapsulate the social changes that urbanization did. Improvement in rural living standards might have been a secondary effect but is not as immediately connected to the core changes brought by industrialization. Furthermore, while expansion of global trade routes occurred during the Industrial Revolution, it was more a consequence of industrial production rather than a direct effect. The core of the Industrial Revolution’s impact lies in the migration to cities as people sought work in industrial settings, making urbanization the most direct and significant