Final answer:
The Industrial Revolution led to a major shift in population distribution, with a rural-to-urban migration as people sought jobs in urban factories. Cities expanded rapidly due to steam power, mass production, and fewer agricultural jobs. The correct option should be Cities grew rapidly as people moved from rural areas to work in industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
The population distribution changed significantly as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Cities experienced rapid growth as people moved from rural areas to urban centers to work in the burgeoning industries.
This urbanization was driven by the development of steam power and coal as a fuel source, which allowed for mass production and a decrease in the number of farm workers needed due to improved agricultural methods.
Consequently, there was a major rural-to-urban shift, with increased urban populations, particularly in cities near resources like coal and in the emerging industrial heartlands.
The shift from an agricultural to an industrial base meant that smaller rural communities and towns declined as factories, located in urban areas, required a large industrial workforce. Thus, cities grew rapidly as people sought employment in sectors such as textiles, coal mining, railroad construction, and general factory work.
The trend towards urban living continued beyond the Industrial Revolution, fundamentally altering the landscape and demographic makeup of nations.