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Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution is a general term used to describe a wide range of technological and organizational changes that occurred predominantly in western Europe and North America between the 18th and 19th centuries. The Industrial Revolution first began in Great Britain in the late 18th century after the invention of power-driven machinery, and by the 20th century spread to most parts of the world. It is often credited for the development of many of the world's social networks today. Almost every aspect of everyday life was influenced by the Industrial Revolution. Society was transformed from mostly rural and agricultural to urban and industrial; as a result, several social networks developed to help people maneuver through and deal with the changes occurring in their society and lives. These networks often brought people together around common interests and perspectives, and empowered groups to express and promote their individual and shared interests.

Industrialization

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, agricultural and textile products were mostly produced through human and animal muscle. With the advent of new automated methods of power such as steam and coal, labor and production shifted from rural towns to cities. Between the 18th and 20th centuries, many cities in western Europe and North America attracted more and more migrant workers. New and diverse groups sought employment in factories and other commercial enterprises. Early networks were found in textile shops and factories where workers communicated with one another about their shared trades, working conditions, and work responsibilities. Interaction and constant communication between workers became important in fostering workplace relationships that often extended beyond the factory and shop floor.

In many factories, laborers worked long hours and in harmful working conditions. During the Industrial Revolution, workers networked to organize labor unions in order to combat worker exploitation and inequality in their workplaces. As early as the 18th century, skilled workers in Great Britain and other parts of western Europe banded together to form trade unions, which united workers around common goals such as better working conditions and wages. In the United States, Uriah Smith Stephens and James L. Wright established the Noble Order of the Knights of Labor, or Knights of Labor, in 1869. The Knights of Labor was a labor union that lobbied for an eight-hour workday and the end of child and convict labor. Later, in 1905, workers in Chicago founded the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), an international network that promoted worker solidarity and the overthrow of the employing class. Other advocates for labor reform, such as Jane Addams, helped found the Hull House settlement in Chicago in 1889. The Hull House was a venue where prospective workers could receive skilled training and information on finding work.

Leisure Time

During the Industrial Revolution, many people took advantage of the recreational activities that were available to them. Several social networks developed around recreation and leisure. Sport was not new to the Industrial Revolution; however, the ability to travel quickly and conveniently between towns and cities allowed individuals of various backgrounds to participate in more sporting activities and improve their sporting contacts. While sport was enjoyed among many groups, saloons and taverns became popular stomping grounds for working-class men. These public spaces allowed men to socialize with one another, play games, and inquire about job possibilities. Popular among families and children were parks, designated picnic areas, and gardens. These spaces brought families and friends together and enabled children to socialize, play, and interact with one another. The wealthy, on the other hand, found pleasure away from the crowd at summer resorts and cottages. Here, too, families interacted with one another in various activities such as horseback riding, hunting, and other sports.

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