When did industrialisation begin in Europe ? What were its consequences ?
(1) Industrialisation : Industrialisation had begun in England in the second-half of the ’ eighteenth century. However, it took place in France and parts of the German states during the nineteenth century. (2) Its consequences were as mentioned below : Growth of towns : Emergence of commercial classes – there was growth of towns and the emergence of commercial classes in Western and some parts of Eastern Europe. This was due to the growth of industrial production and trade. The existence of commercial classes was based on production for the market. A new working class and middle classes consisting of industrialists, businessmen, professionals came into existence. It was among the educated, liberal middle classes that ideas of national unity following the abolition of aristocratic privileges gained popularity.
