Final answer:
The Commercial Revolution led to technological advancements that increased production but at the expense of human welfare, with harsh working conditions, imperialism, and the continuation of practices such as slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
Impact of the Commercial Revolution on Human Cruelty
The Commercial Revolution, a period marked by expansion of trade and business in Europe, played a pivotal role in shaping modern history, but it also facilitated human cruelty in multiple ways. Technological advancements and scientific discoveries of this time, largely associated with the Industrial Revolution, significantly increased production capabilities and changed societal structures. However, this surge in human productivity came at a great human cost. The mechanization that fueled the Industrial Revolution led to the exploitation of workers in extremely harsh working conditions. Poor housing, rampant disease, and inhumane work hours were all symptoms of an age that prioritized progress over the wellbeing of the laboring class.
Moreover, such technological advancements supported the growth of imperialist policies, enabling European powers to subjugate other cultures, exploit natural resources, and engage in brutal practices like the slave trade. As Europeans colonized new territories, they often disregarded the rights and lives of indigenous populations. Mechanization and the drive for raw materials also intensified the need for cheap labor, leading to increased cruelty such as the use of slave and child labor.
The relentless pursuit of efficiency and profit fundamentally altered human relationships with the environment and each other. While the full impact of these transformations led to increased standards of living in the long term, it's crucial to recognize the human and moral costs that underscored such progress during the Commercial Revolution and the Industrial Revolution.