1880 - 1914
The second industrial revolution
What is the second industrial revolution?
The second industrial revolution began around 1870 and lasted until the First World War. It was distinguished from the first industrial revolution (centered on coal and the steam engine) by the emergence of new energy sources such as electricity and oil, and by the growth of new industrial sectors. This technological and economic upheaval profoundly transformed European, American and Asian societies, bringing major productivity gains and developing land and sea transport that enabled the first globalization of trade in the industrial era.
The major technological innovations of the 19th century
One of the major features of this period was the introduction of innovations that revolutionized production and consumption patterns. Electricity, used on a massive scale in factories, gradually replaced steam. The petroleum-powered internal combustion engine gave rise to automobiles and paved the way for aviation. The chemical industry developed rapidly, with applications in dyes, fertilizers and medicines.
Here are some of the main inventions of this period:
- The dynamo (mechanical generation of electricity);
- The internal combustion engine;
- The electric light bulb (Edison);
- The phonograph and cinematograph;
- The first motor cars (Benz, Daimler).
These innovations fueled a new wave of industrial and urban growth.
The impact on transport and communications
The second industrial revolution radically transformed means of transport and communication. Railways developed on a massive scale in Europe and the United States, drastically reducing journey times and facilitating the movement of goods. Steamships improved commercial and military navigation. In the field of communications, the telegraph made it possible for the first time to exchange information almost instantaneously over long distances. This was followed by the telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, which paved the way for direct voice communication.
Notable advances by sector:
- Land transport: intercontinental railways, electric tramways
- Maritime transport: transatlantic steamships
- Communication: submarine telegraph cables, urban telephone networks
These advances brought continents closer together and stimulated the global economy.
Globalization in progress (1870-1914)
Thanks to these innovations, international trade accelerated sharply. Globalization was characterized by an intensification of trade flows, investment and migration. Ports were modernized, shipping companies multiplied, and markets became increasingly interconnected. However, this phase of openness came to an abrupt halt in 1914 with the outbreak of the First World War, marking the end of this first phase of global integration.
The emergence of new industrial powers
The second industrial revolution was also the time when new economic powers took off. The United States experienced dazzling growth thanks to the industrialization of the Northeast and the exploitation of natural resources. In Europe, Imperial Germany became a leader in the chemical and electrical engineering sectors. This was also the period when France's industrialization accelerated. In Asia, Japan embarked on a policy of modernization through the reforms of the Meiji era (1868-1912), adopting Western technologies to develop its industry.
FAQ - The second industrial revolution
What were the major contributions of the second industrial revolution?
It introduced electricity and the internal combustion engine, and stimulated growth in transport, communications and industrial chemistry.
What period does the second industrial revolution cover?
From around 1870 until the First World War in 1914.
Which countries emerged as the new industrial powers?
The United States, Germany and Japan experienced rapid industrial development.