Final answer:
The Industrial Revolution enriched many European countries through advances in technology and mass production, leading to economic dominance and improved standards of living, despite worker exploitation and reinforcing global inequalities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of the Industrial Revolution on European Economy
The Industrial Revolution dramatically reshaped the economic landscape of European countries by introducing factories and mass production techniques, such as the assembly line. This significant transformation led to unprecedented wealth in Western Europe and was catalyzed by advancements in technology like steam power and mechanization. As a direct result, many European countries became very wealthy due to the mass production of goods giving them an advantage in the global marketplace. This shift saw a population migration from rural to urban areas, and while it did create vast inequalities between industrialized and non-industrialized nations, within Europe, it generally raised the standard of living over time.
The widespread establishment of factories and the resulting mass production fostered economic growth, making Option C: It made many European countries very wealthy, the correct answer. The move from agriculture to industry necessitated a larger workforce in urban centers, leading to smaller families and an increase of women in the workforce. However, this wealth was not without cost, as workers often faced long hours and dangerous conditions with little control over their working environment.
Meanwhile, this economic prosperity and industrial capacity also fueled imperial expansion, as Europeans sought new markets for their surplus goods and new sources of raw materials. This expansion further solidified the economic dominance of industrialized European nations on a global scale.