The Industrial Revolution is certainly similar to the French Revolution. During both of these revolutions, society began to shift its view on importance of certain citizens. Before these occurred, the nobles and higher class tended to make all the decisions and have the biggest influence on society. The French Revolution led to a great shift of power in favor of the third estate. The lower working class of people began to have a say in government because they proved that they are worthy and that it is their class that is making the biggest influence in society. During the Industrial Revolution, new inventions led to new jobs for thousands of people. Work in large industries and factories created jobs for people who had never previously worked. Because the lower working class began to work in these factories, they greatly influenced the production of goods. People began to recognize their significance in the economy which led to an increase in power.
The Slave Trade related to the Industrial Revolution in a similar way. As new inventions were being made that encouraged efficiency with the production of goods, the demand for these goods rose. This of course led to an increase of slave demand. Without slavery, there was no good in creating the new inventions, as they would not be put to use. In order for the economy to succeed, there needed to be the people who actually produced the goods in the first place. The Industrial Revolution also modified the type of labor slaves did. For example, before the invention of the cotton gin, slaves would always pick cotton by hand. However, after this invention, some slaves used the cotton gin to do their work, which led to the same amount of cotton being picked by less people in shorter time. Overall, the Industrial Revolution led to an appreciation of the lower, working class, as it promoted new jobs for more people.
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