Question

Which of the following most directly led to the changes described in the excerpt?

a) Development of low-cost machines that standardized mass production
b) Development of high-cost machines that specialized in small-scale production
c) Introduction of handmade production methods
d) Implementation of manual labor-intensive processes

Answer 1

The development of low-cost machines that standardized mass production was the direct cause of the changes described, marking the transition into the Industrial Revolution and significantly altering working conditions and productivity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The changes described in the excerpt were most directly led to by the development of low-cost machines that standardized mass production. This period, often referred to as the Industrial Revolution, witnessed significant technological advancements that transformed economies and societies. Innovations such as the Spinning Jenny and the Spinning Mule, alongside James Watt's improved steam engine, increased productivity and decreased the cost of manufacturing goods.

Factory production shifted from the handiwork of artisans to mechanized, assembly line work done by low-paid, unskilled laborers. This mechanization and industrialization made consumer goods more accessible and affordable, but it also resulted in workers enduring long hours in harsh conditions with little control over their working environment. The movement towards factory work entailed a loss of the autonomy that farmers and artisans previously had, and introduced regulated work structures like the clock-regulated workday.