Enlightenment Ideas, The Industrial Revolution, And Imperialism

The world would be nothing without Enlightenment ideas, the Industrial Revolution, and Imperialism. What they all have in common is that they all transformed the world and made it what it is today economically, socially, and intellectually.

The enlightenment idea gave us freedom of independent learning and the ability to express and expand our thoughts. Without the enlightenment being born, the world would not have progressed the way it has. Many people not knowing that the power of knowledge was initiated by the enlightenment idea did not agree with it at first because they did not know how beneficial it would become to the world. Everything we have today such as new medicines, machines, and astronomy can all be referred back to a part of

the enlightenment idea. According to Sparknotes.com/history, Society was not open to this new change but after some time when they gave it a chance, they figured out that the principles of the enlightenment helped to give modern science a platform to grow on. Its effects improved women’s rights, educational opportunities, the economy, religion, and so forth. The scientific revolution correlates with the enlightenment in the ideas of new age and individuality. Nicolaus Copernicus was a very influential person doing this era whose teachings helped to cultivate science and reasoning. He is mainly known for the heliocentric theory where he believed that the sun was located in the center of the universe. According to Envisioning World Civilizations Workbook, “The question of how the planets and stars traveled through heaven was a major issue among intellectuals in early modern Europe.” With this being said, even though Copernicus’s theory was proven to be wrong, his effort for even questioning the current geocentric view was him questioning the bible and God’s creation which was a very big deal. He was not satisfied with the explanation of earth’s position, so he started to dedicate his life investigating and studying the universe which led to what he thought was the correct findings about the solar system. His dedication and inquisitive interest is what brought us closer to knowing how our universe actually works. By Copernicus taking an extra mile to elevate science and pave the way for others proves how the enlightenment idea was already starting to transform the world.
The industrial revolution made such a dramatic impact on human life, our world will never be the same.

Production and manufacturing was usually done in people’s homes with basic tools and most of it by hand. With the industrial revolution falling into place, the machines started to replace manual labor. This revolution was good for some by increasing the production of goods and improving standard living, but it was also dreadful for the working and poor classes who were put out of work. The new production of machines helped society to have goods made faster and better. The economic growth of the world is all thanks to industrial revolution. When these changes progressed, society moved along with them causing increases in population, trades, and man-made resources. With all that being said, it would seem as if the economy would be in no trouble and it could only get better. According to ecology.com, what people did not realize was that along with the era of production, also came the need for unlimited energy and resources that we took for granted. Fossil fuel changed the way people utilized energy by being the new source in high demand. When something is in high demand, the flow of the economy revolved around the shift of power and wealth. The increase in factory production and goods, also meant a decrease in the conditions of the industrial workers. They would hire unskilled workers and children, and this industrialization broke up many homes. The men earned money for their families, while the woman’s economic role became nonexistent. According to Envisioning World Civilizations, (Chapter 14.9 Women and Socialism), German feminist socialist Anna Maier explains how a factory manager refuses to give her a job until her mother begs and persuades him. She also explains the brutal treatment you received in these factories and how young women were abused and beaten, and how it led her to rebel and strive to make a change for women in the industrial

economy.
Imperialism extends a country’s power and influence by ruling over large territories, enforcing military diplomacy, and colonization. Imperialism has had a huge impact on the world, but it hasn’t necessarily been a good one. Imperialism has helped society by reducing warfare with military control. It harmed society by dividing groups and continental boundaries causing problems within different territories. The world was not meant to be ruled by one group of people dominating over land, labor, goods, and resources. Imperialism is not considered a problem because people did not recognize it as a legit concept. Imperialism causes competition between countries and the economy, and destroys the foundation of culture and traditions. According to the anarchislibrary.org, “The “beneficial” side effects of imperialism are many and significant in a negative fashion for the underdeveloped country. The internal improvements in the underdeveloped country invariably seem to “accidentally” benefit the imperialist country, e.g., railroads, harbors, roads, and canals. If domestic enterprise or the population in general cannot take advantage of this, then it obviously doesn’t benefit the people.” Imperialism has allowed the “man in power” to steal other countries wealth and exploit the working class, robbing them of their freedom and territory. Over time, imperialism has changed and the motive for economic expansion is based on the nation. According to flag.blackened.net, “Imperialism, which is rooted in the search from surplus profits for big business, is also a response to working class power at home. The export of capital is done by emerging and established transnational companies to overcome a militant and class consciousness working class which is often too advanced for heavy exploitation and finance capital..” In my opinion, I feel that imperialism has a main function of controlling the existing industries. That can either help or hinder our country in the long run. In contrast, without the existence of imperialism, we would not be introduced to development and union trades which benefit our nations.
The enlightenment, Industrial revolution, and imperialism all encouraged the use of development in our economy. The introduction of technological advancements comes from these three major social revolutions.