What is the Industrial Revolution?

The Industrial Revolution is best described as a significant period of industrial growth and technological advancement that began in the late 18th century. It marked a transformative era where societies shifted from agrarian economies to industrialized ones, fundamentally changing the way goods were produced and leading to urbanization, increased productivity, and the rise of factory systems. Innovations in machinery, such as the steam engine and spinning jenny, propelled advancements in manufacturing and transportation, which in turn spurred economic growth and alterations in social structures.

This choice accurately encapsulates the essence of the Industrial Revolution by highlighting its focus on industrial growth and technological progress, which were central to the changes experienced during that time. The other options do not appropriately define the Industrial Revolution; for example, a natural disaster does not align with the advancements and societal changes that characterized this era, nor does a war for independence or a political movement for social justice represent the economic and technological transitions associated with the Industrial Revolution.