Final answer:
The Industrial Revolution marks a period when power-driven machinery was adopted, leading to major economic and social changes, beginning in Great Britain and spreading globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Industrial Revolution was a pivotal period of change, primarily characterized by the wide use of power-driven machinery and significant economic and social transformations. It began in Great Britain in the late 18th century and rapidly spread to other parts of the world, including the United States and Germany. This era saw the creation and adoption of revolutionary innovations such as the steam engine, the power loom, and the steam locomotive, which greatly enhanced productivity and would have required far more labor if done manually. These advances signified the transition from hand production methods to machines, new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes, improved efficiency of water power, and the increased use of steam power and development of machine tools.
Moreover, the Industrial Revolution led to the rise of factory systems, mass-produced goods, and technological improvements that fostered the growth of industries such as the textile and iron industries. This significant shift from agrarian, handcraft, and rural societies to industrial and urban ones marked a turning point in human history, affecting almost every aspect of daily life in some way.