Final answer:
The introduction of power-driven machinery in the early 1800s was a critical factor in the process of industrialization, marking the shift from manual labor towards mechanized production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The introduction of power-driven machinery in the early 1800s was a significant factor in the process of industrialization. The shift from manual labor to mechanical processes defines industrialization. New technologies such as the steam engine, the power loom, and machinery like the cotton gin, significantly increased production capabilities and efficiency. This mechanization spurred the rise of factories and led to the transformation of agricultural societies into industrial ones. Inventions during the Industrial Revolution enabled mass production and the growth of urban centers, which was pivotal to the formation of modern, industrialized nations.
During the same period, urbanization and modernization were also taking place, fueled by the surpluses created by these technological advancements. Industrialization was closely linked with urbanization, as the new factories needed an urban workforce, and with modernization, as society evolved with the new technology. Furthermore, while globalization was enhanced by the advances in communication and transportation, it was not the primary driver of the introduction of power-driven machinery.