Industrial society at the beginning of the 20th century was finally formed. What signs and features is it characterized by? We will try to answer this question.
When did the concept appear?
The term appeared in the 19th century.
It arose as the opposite meaning of the “backward” economy, the “old regime”, the traditional (agrarian) model of development.
Signs of an industrial society at the beginning of the 20th century
Historical and economic sciences distinguish the following features:
- urbanization;
- class division of society;
- industrialization;
- representative democracy;
- change of political elites;
- low social mobility in comparison with modern society;
- development of exact sciences, technologies;
- demographic decline;
- the formation of consumer thinking;
- folding of national states;
- final registration of private property;
- arms race, the struggle for resources.
Urbanization
Industrial society at the beginning of the 20th century is characterized by the development of urbanization, that is, the growth of cities.
People in search of work begin to move from traditional rural places to large industrial centers. Cities of a new type are not medieval fortresses. These are powerful giants that absorb human and material resources.
Class division of society
The formation of industrial society at the beginning of the 20th century is connected with the class division of society.
The agrarian model of development also did not know equality between people. But in it there were estates, that is, the position in society, depending on birth. The transition between them was impossible. For example, a peasant could never become a nobleman. Rare cases, of course, were, but they make exceptions to the rules.
In class division, although there is antagonism, that is, intolerance, conflict, infringement of rights, however, the transition from one class to another is possible. Birth no longer played any role. Even the poorest proletariat could become an industrial tycoon, gain political influence and a privileged position.
The change of elites
Also, industrial society at the beginning of the 20th century is characterized by a change in elites.
Both political and economic. This is due to the fact that the nature of the war has changed. Previously, the outcome of battles depended on professional warriors who knew how to master weapons. With the advent of gunpowder, heavy guns, ships, money was needed for development. Now, any beginner with the help of a gun could calmly shoot even a Japanese samurai, a virtuoso in martial art. The history of Japan is a prime example. New hastily assembled shelves with muskets defeated professionals with cold steel in the civil war, who have been engaged in self-training all their lives.
The same example can be given in Russian history. At the beginning of the 20th century, all countries of the world were armed with numerous army recruits with firearms.
Features of industrial society at the beginning of the 20th century: demographic decline
The development of science and technology has led to a significant decrease in fertility. There are three reasons for this:
- The market requires professional people.
It is no longer enough to have arms and legs, education is needed.
Demanded technicians, engineers. Education takes a lot of time. Women have no time to give birth to 5-6 children, as it was before, since they need a lot of time, which will not allow them to develop professionally.
- Lack of need for land promotion.
In many societies, various incentives in the form of land allotments were provided for the number of children, especially males. With each generation, their total area was redistributed depending on needs. Some people died due to illnesses, epidemics, wars. Therefore, long-term private ownership of land did not exist. She was always redistributed. The number of children depended on what kind of allotment the family received. Therefore, at a subconscious level, people rejoiced at new family members not because of love for children, but because of the opportunity to increase allotments.
- Children do not turn into assistants, but into "parasites."
Industrial society at the beginning of the 20th century (Great Britain, France) shows that new family members turn into a “burden” of dependents.
Earlier, child labor on earth was the norm, which means that children not only fed themselves, but also elderly family members. Anyone can find work on earth in his own strength. Those who live in rural areas know that children and adolescents help with the housework: weed beds, water the garden, and look after the animals. In cities, their help is not required. Maximum cleaning of the apartment, which does not generate income.
The formation of consumer thinking
At the beginning of the 20th century, industrial society began to be distinguished by a new way of thinking - consumer.
What does it mean? People begin to produce not the means of subsistence on earth, but the money for which all this is bought. On earth, extra food is not needed. Why produce two tons of potatoes if only one is consumed per year. It is also useless to sell, since everyone is working on the land, so nobody needs agricultural products. With the development of technology and the transition to market relations, everything changes. People begin to receive money for their work. The more money, the better life. In an
agrarian society, it makes no sense to work more than necessary. In industrial - everything changes. The more successful a person is, the more he can afford: his own castle, car, better living conditions. The rest also begin to strive for wealth. Everyone wants to live better than now. This is called consumer thinking.