What term describes the shift from hand production methods to machine-based manufacturing processes?

The term that describes the shift from hand production methods to machine-based manufacturing processes is industrialization. This process marks a significant transformation in the way goods are produced, moving from small-scale, manual labor to large-scale production using machinery. It began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th, fundamentally changing economies and societies.

Industrialization is characterized by the introduction of technologies such as the steam engine, mechanized textile manufacturing, and assembly lines, which greatly increased efficiency and productivity in various industries. This transition not only enabled mass production but also led to the growth of factories, urban areas, and a wage-earning workforce, thus reshaping social and economic structures.

Urbanization, while related to the changes initiated by industrialization, specifically refers to the movement of populations into cities, often as a direct result of industrial growth. Capitalism describes an economic system in which private individuals or businesses own capital goods and where production is driven by profit motives, but it does not inherently capture the transition from hand production to machine production. Globalization refers to the integration and interaction among people, companies, and governments worldwide, which is a broader concept often influenced by industrialization but not synonymous with the transition in manufacturing processes.