What major economic change occurred as a result of the Industrial Revolution?

The correct answer is the transition from hand production to machine-based manufacturing. During the Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, there was a significant shift in the way goods were produced. Traditional methods of handcrafting items in small-scale workshops or homes began to be replaced by machines working in large factories. This mechanization revolutionized production processes, leading to increased efficiency, higher output, and reduced cost of goods.

This shift also marked a movement towards mass production, where standardized products could be manufactured quickly and in large quantities, which fundamentally changed economies and societies. As a result, urbanization increased as individuals moved from rural areas to cities in search of factory jobs, altering social structures and contributing to the rise of new economic systems such as capitalism while diminishing the reliance on traditional crafts and agricultural labor.

Understanding this transformation is key to grasping the broader implications of the Industrial Revolution, including changes in labor dynamics, economic structures, and societal norms.