Final answer:
The Industrial Revolution fostered the rise of liberalism by creating economic opportunities and a new middle class that championed individual rights, limited government, and free trade. Workers' movements and political changes led to reforms and the rise of new ideologies like socialism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The social and economic changes from the Industrial Revolution significantly contributed to the spread of liberalism by reshaping society's structure and people's views on individual rights and the function of government.
The growth of industry and the rise of a middle class that included industrialists, traders, and professionals fostered a conviction that liberty in various forms could lead to the betterment of society. This newfound class of educated liberals believed in principles such as free trade, limited government, and individual rights.
Meanwhile, workers affected by industrialization sought change through unionization and political movements, leading to broader demands for political and economic reforms.
Enlightenment-inspired ideas such as democracy, popular sovereignty, and socialism influenced the masses, culminating in the tumultuous period known as the Year of Revolutions in 1848. Governments and intellectuals alike searched for solutions to industrial society's problems, which strengthened liberal principles while also giving rise to alternative ideas such as socialism.
Subsequent political reforms favored different social classes and led to significant changes like free trade laws and social welfare protections. The Industrial Revolution thus laid the groundwork for a liberal economy that combined opportunities for wealth creation with the need for reform and regulation to address societal ills.