The first one had main consequences in politics; the second in economy and society.

The “long” 19th century -as historians called it- goes from the French Revolution to the outbreak of the First World War. The impact of the powerful forces set in motion made the century very significant in the history of modern civilization.

The historian A. Toynbee (1884) gave wide currency to the term. He pointed out the starting in the second part of the 18th century.  

Successively, many historians deal with the matter. 

Nevertheless, the “revolutions” of the 13th and the 16th centuries can be seen as partial movements, “false starts” in the industrialization process .

In fact, only the breakthrough of the late 18th century produced a sustained economic growth thereafter.

The second half of the 19th century saw a new surge of technological and industrial development of such magnitude that it sometimes been called the Second Industrial Revolution. 

Invention became systematic rather than accidental. 

New sources of energy, particularly electricity.

New materials, including steel, synthetic products, new types of explosives (dynamite Nobel, 1887).

Mass production methods.

New and faster means of transportation.

Communications were revolutionized by the introduction of electrical devices. Meucci invented telephone (1871); Marconi wireless telegraph (1895). Many scientists invented radio.

Another form of engine, using cheaper crude oil, was invented by Diesel (1892). Marine pumps, driving locomotives  and  electric generators will use it.

Phonograph was invented by Edison (1877).

The Lumière brothers perfected the cinematographe and projected film in Paris (1895). 

In 1903 the Wright brothers succeeded in keeping their biplane aloft for twelve seconds: man acquired wings!

Business consolidation took the form not only of larger corporations but also of alliances (trust, holding, cartels).

Being a result of creating and operating such huge industrial organizations, capitalism passed into a new stage of development. Industrial capitalism was superseded by finance capitalism.