Industrialization

Definition

Industrialization is the process by which an economy shifts from primarily agrarian to one based on the manufacturing of goods. Individual manual labor is often replaced by mechanized mass production, and craftsmen are replaced by assembly lines.

Related terms

Urbanization: The process where an increasing percentage of a population lives in cities rather than rural areas. It's closely linked to industrialization as factories often lead to growing cities.

Capitalism: An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, investments determined by private decision, and prices, production, and distribution determined mainly by competition in a free market.

Labor Unions: Organizations formed by workers in specific industries to fight for better wages, working conditions, and job security. They became particularly important during the era of rapid industrialization.