What is urbanization, and how did it relate to the Industrial Revolution?

Urbanization refers to the process through which populations shift from rural areas to urban centers, typically driven by economic opportunities and changes in social dynamics. During the Industrial Revolution, this phenomenon was particularly significant because the rise of factories and industrial labor created a high demand for workers in cities. People moved to urban areas to take advantage of these job opportunities, leading to densely populated cities.

As industries grew, they required a larger workforce, which attracted individuals from the countryside where agricultural jobs were becoming less viable due to mechanization. This migration transformed the social and economic landscape, contributing to the expansion of cities and the development of a new urban working class. The relationship between urbanization and the Industrial Revolution is thus characterized by the influx of people into cities seeking employment in emerging industrial sectors, which fundamentally altered living conditions, social structures, and economic patterns during that era.