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A focus on social impacts, specifically on the lower and working class.

Max Hartwell published "The Rising Standard of Living in England, 1800-1850," A very controversial paper detailing how the Industrial Revolution actually improved the lives of the lower class

1937 - T.S. Ashton published a study showing the lack of data and historical accounts pre-WII

Origins of industrialization were not the main focus

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Positive overall, with benefits like wealth and improved quality of life.

More than a technological development, bringing changes socially and intellectually.

Attributed individuals (industrialists, inventors) for the technological change.

Less of a “revolution” but more of a “sudden quickening of pace”, because the word “revolution” implies a sudden discontinuous shift.

Impacts

Surge in interest about the industrial revolution.

Historians studied other aspects of the industrialization than just the economy, like culture and science.

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Viewed the growth and impact of industrialization as more limited.

Claimed that most British manufacturing was backward and inefficient.

Evidence

Industries other than textiles, iron, and transportation were all stagnant for the first half of the nineteenth century.

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Industrial society emerged from long processes of class conflict resulting in the overthrow of feudalism.

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Emphasised role of individuals and inventors/inventions.

Focusing on Richard Arkwright and James Watt

The Great Man theory portrayed as the exceptional individuals and their result in the industrialisation of Britain

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Japan used technology from other countries, such as the West, to start a revolution.

→With the arrival of Perry in 1853, Japan ended its long period of isolation and began to interact with foreign countries. Historians consider this period to be the "opening of the country" and the beginning of industrial development through the introduction of foreign technology and institutions. Historians then focus on the transformation of social institutions, the development of infrastructure, and the introduction of Western technology during the Meiji period.

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More focus on the causes of industrialization rather than its effects

From 1880-1945, the cause was mostly credited to overseas trading.

From 1950-1985 the cause shifted again towards domestic forces, such as population growth and the agricultural revolution.

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British industrialization viewed as "the work of great men" (inventors and entrepreneurs). H. Gibbons 1896 "The change was sudden and violent" referring to the pace of British industrialization. "In little more than 20 years all the great inventions of Watt, Arkwridge, and Boulton had been completed" -> many writers saw British industrialization as a catastrophe - overwhelming the nation (especially its lower classes).

1948 Ashton's "Industrial Revolution" published. Portrayed British industrialization as positive, complex and less of a revolution and more a "quickening of pace". This led to growing revisionism as to when the industrial revolution began and how it affected those involved.

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From late 1980s one, the cause for industrialization once again shifted towards overseas and international trading

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Initial Interpretations:

Technological Determinism: The initial interpretation of the British Industrial Revolution emphasized the role of technological advancements, such as the steam engine and mechanization, as the primary driver of the revolution. Historians like Arnold Toynbee and T.S. Ashton argued that technological progress sparked economic growth and transformed British society.

Economic Determinism: Some historians, such as Karl Marx, viewed the Industrial Revolution as a result of underlying economic factors, particularly the rise of capitalism and the pursuit of profit. Marx emphasized the exploitation of the working class and the emergence of the bourgeoisie.

Revisionist Theories:

a. Social Factors: Revisionist historians began to explore the social factors that contributed to the Industrial Revolution. E.P. Thompson, in his influential work "The Making of the English Working Class," argued that the working class played an active role in shaping the revolution through resistance and collective action.

b. Institutional Factors: Other revisionist scholars, such as Joel Mokyr, highlighted the importance of institutions, such as property rights, legal frameworks, and the existence of scientific societies, in facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship during the Industrial Revolution.

c. Global Perspectives: In more recent years, historians have adopted a global perspective to understand the British Industrial Revolution. They emphasize the connections between Britain and its colonies, exploring how colonial resources, trade networks, and the transatlantic slave trade contributed to Britain's industrial development.

d. Environmental Impact: Another post-revisionist trend focuses on the environmental consequences of industrialization. Historians like William Cronon argue that the exploitation of natural resources, pollution, and ecological changes were integral parts of the British Industrial Revolution.

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Focused on the postwar period of Japanese industrialisation, analysing the role of US occupation policies, the influence of the cold war and the transformation of Japanese society and economy during the period.

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Before 1970s, industrialization was portrayed as being straight forward, with the state/government and western technologies being credited with the cause of industrialization.

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Initial Interpretations:

a. State-led Modernization: The initial interpretations of the Japanese Industrial Revolution highlighted the role of the state in driving industrialization. Historians like E.H. Norman argued that the Japanese government played a central role in promoting industrialization through policies, infrastructure development, and the adoption of Western technology.

b. Cultural Factors: Some historians, such as W.G. Beasley, emphasized cultural factors, including Confucian values, social cohesion, and a strong work ethic, as crucial elements behind Japan's industrial transformation.

Revisionist Theories:

a. Economic Factors: Revisionist scholars began to emphasize the economic factors that contributed to Japan's industrialization. Chalmers Johnson, in his book "MITI and the Japanese Miracle," highlighted the influence of industrial policy, investment in key industries, and the role of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in guiding economic development.

b. Social Change: Other revisionist historians, like Andrew Gordon, focused on social changes and the transformation of labor relations, education systems, and social hierarchies that accompanied Japan's industrial revolution.

c. Global Context: Historians have increasingly examined the Japanese Industrial Revolution in a global context, exploring Japan's interactions with the Western powers, imperialism, and the impact of global trade networks on industrial development.

d. Gender and Family: More recent studies have examined the role of gender and the family in the Japanese Industrial Revolution, highlighting the experiences of women, gender roles, and changes in the household structure as important factors in industrialization.

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post 1970s, there was more recognition for the 'traditional' sector in Japan, which continued to grow through the industrialization.

Takafusa Nakamura was a historian who emphasized the growth and impact of cottage industries

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Britain brought about the Industrial Revolution in many ways. In terms of the economy, it brought about a shift from an agricultural society to a machine-based manufacturing industry;

Historians have focused on the economic transformation of the country during this period, particularly the textile industry, the iron industry, and the introduction of the steam engine; economic historians such as E.A. Wrigley and Robert Allen have contributed to the country's development by analyzing capitalist growth and change.