The Industrial Revolution began in Britain during the late eighteenth century and during subsequent decades spread to other parts of the world. Machines increasingly displaced physical labour and skilled trades and crafts, forcing millions of people to move from the countryside to find factory work in the growing towns and cities. The rate of change accelerated during the nineteenth century and on into the twentieth century, giving rise to the modern world.
Impact of The Industrial Revolution
During the Industrial Revolution millions of people left behind a rural way of life, with its traditions and natural cycles dominated by the seasons, to find work in rapidly growing towns and cities. Prior to this, everything that people used and owned was a product of the natural world or created by artisans, using skills that had been passed on through the generations. However, most artisans could not compete with lower priced items made in factories. While some celebrated the growing wealth of Britain, others were critical of the poor living and working conditions endured by millions of people and the loss of ancient traditions.
Emerging in Britain during the nineteenth century, in response to the impact of The Industrial Revolution, The Arts and Crafts Movement sought to improve living and working conditions for the industrial working class. The social values and creative vision of John Ruskin and William Morris played an important role in the movement. Critical of the soul destroying nature of mass production work in factories, they promoted the use of traditional skills and natural materials in workshops, although machines could be used to complete some repetitive tasks. It was recognised that handmade arts and crafts could not replace the range of inexpensive mass produced objects available to consumers. However, the work brought a greater sense of meaning and purpose to the artisans and pleasure to those who valued the qualities of handmade work.
Held at Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, between May and October 1851, The Great Exhibition was intended to showcase great achievements of culture and industry. However, many visitors were disappointed by the poor quality of factory made items. They were critical of an excessive use of ornamentation, lack of practicality and poor build quality. This led some writers, artists and designers to criticise what they considered to be a decline in standards. Books were published, describing what the authors considered to be good design principles, along with recognition by some of the value of traditional arts and crafts.
Many writers and artists during this period portrayed in their work an idealised version of the past, finding inspiration in the Classical world or medieval art and culture. However, they often ignored the inequalities and conflict found within such societies. Their imagined worlds portrayed people living in harmony with the natural world, according to traditional values. Philosophers discussed the characteristics of their vision of an ideal society, leading to the rise of various social movements. While some people sought to escape from their difficult living and working conditions through various forms of addiction, others looked for ways to remake society. We can see many parallels with the world we live in today and the calls for people to use more sustainable technology.