Reading

Read the passage. Then answer the questions below. (この文章の日本語訳は解答キーの後にあります。)

The Industrial Revolution, spanning the 18th and 19th centuries, stands as a pivotal era that forever altered the course of human history. This transformative period witnessed unprecedented technological advancements, economic shifts, and societal transformations, laying the groundwork for the modern world we inhabit today.

The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century and gradually spread across Europe and North America, fundamentally reshaping the way societies produced goods and organized labor. Prior to this era, economies were primarily agrarian, relying on manual labor and traditional methods of production. The Industrial Revolution, fueled by a confluence of factors such as technological innovations, capital accumulation, and a changing economic landscape, ushered in a new era of mechanization and efficiency.

One of the key catalysts of the Industrial Revolution was the mechanization of the textile industry. Inventions such as the spinning jenny, water frame, and power loom revolutionized the production of textiles, enabling a significant increase in output. Factories emerged as the epicenters of production, bringing together machinery and labor in ways that had never been seen before. This shift from cottage industries to factory-based production marked a radical departure from traditional modes of work.

The steam engine, a hallmark invention of the Industrial Revolution, played a pivotal role in powering machinery and facilitating transportation. James Watt's improvements to the steam engine made it a versatile and efficient source of power. Steam-powered factories, railways, and ships emerged, connecting regions and facilitating the mass movement of goods and people. This not only revolutionized transportation but also spurred urbanization as people flocked to industrial centers in search of employment.

The economic landscape underwent a profound transformation during the Industrial Revolution. The emergence of capitalism as the dominant economic system, characterized by private ownership of the means of production and a focus on profit, fueled the rapid expansion of industries. Entrepreneurs and industrialists amassed wealth, creating a new class structure that included a burgeoning middle class. However, this economic prosperity was not evenly distributed, leading to stark inequalities and challenging working conditions for the laboring class.

Societal changes accompanied the economic and technological shifts of the Industrial Revolution. The traditional agrarian way of life gave way to an urban, industrialized society. The migration of people from rural areas to cities, driven by the promise of employment in factories, led to the growth of urban centers. Cities expanded rapidly, but this urbanization brought with it numerous challenges, including overcrowded living conditions, inadequate sanitation, and the spread of diseases.

The workplace itself underwent a radical transformation. Factory work was characterized by long hours, low wages, and often hazardous conditions. Child labor was prevalent, with young children working alongside adults in factories. Labor movements emerged in response to these harsh working conditions, advocating for workers' rights, better wages, and improved working conditions. The struggle for labor rights and fair treatment laid the foundation for future advancements in workers' rights.

The Industrial Revolution also had far-reaching implications for culture and society. Advances in communication, such as the telegraph, facilitated the exchange of information over long distances. The rise of print culture and newspapers allowed for the dissemination of ideas on a broader scale. The increased availability of education, albeit unevenly distributed, contributed to rising literacy rates and a more informed citizenry.

Despite the undeniable benefits of the Industrial Revolution, it was not without its challenges and ethical dilemmas. The environmental impact of industrialization, marked by deforestation, pollution, and resource depletion, raised concerns about sustainability. Social inequalities, the exploitation of labor, and the dehumanizing aspects of factory work prompted reflection on the ethical dimensions of progress.

In conclusion, the Industrial Revolution was a watershed moment in human history, reshaping economies, societies, and daily life. The technological innovations of this era laid the foundation for the modern world, transforming the nature of work, communication, and transportation. However, it also brought forth challenges, including social inequalities, labor exploitation, and environmental degradation. The lessons learned from the Industrial Revolution continue to inform discussions on the impact of technological progress on society and underscore the importance of ethical considerations in the pursuit of innovation.

Testing your understanding:

Pick the right answer:

1. What is the main focus of the passage?

• a. The impact of the Industrial Revolution on society.

• b. The challenges faced during the Industrial Revolution.

• c. The emergence of capitalism in the 18th century.

• d. The transformation of communication during the Industrial Revolution.

2. When did the Industrial Revolution begin?

• a. Early 19th century

• b. Mid-18th century

• c. Late 19th century

• d. Early 17th century

3. What played a pivotal role in powering machinery and facilitating transportation during the Industrial Revolution?

• a. Spinning jenny

• b. Steam engine

• c. Water frame

• d. Power loom

4. What marked a radical departure from traditional modes of work during the Industrial Revolution?

• a. Capital accumulation

• b. Factories

• c. Cottage industries

• d. Mechanization of the textile industry

5. What economic system emerged as dominant during the Industrial Revolution?

• a. Socialism

• b. Capitalism

• c. Communism 

• Mercantilism

6. What was a consequence of the rapid growth of urban centers during the Industrial Revolution?

• a. Decrease in population

• b. Improved sanitation

• c. Spread of diseases

• d. Decline in industrialization

7. What characterized factory work during the Industrial Revolution?

• a. Short working hours

• b. High wages

• c. Safe working conditions

• d. Long hours and low wages

8. What technological advancement facilitated the exchange of information over long distances during the Industrial Revolution?

• a. Telegraph

• b. Printing press

• c. Power loom

• d. Steam engine

9. What raised concerns about sustainability during the Industrial Revolution?

• a. Rise of print culture

• b. Environmental impact of industrialization

• c. Labor movements

• d. Uneven distribution of education

Answer Key: 

1. A

2. B

3. C

4. B

5. B

6. C

7. D

8. A

9. B

日本語への翻訳です

産業革命は、18世紀から19世紀にかけての時代を貫くもので、人類の歴史の流れを永遠に変える画期的な時代となりました。この変革期は前例のない技術革新、経済の変化、社会の変容を目撃し、私たちが今日暮らしている現代の世界の基盤を築きました。

産業革命は18世紀後半にイギリスで始まり、徐々にヨーロッパと北アメリカに広がり、社会が物を生産し労働を組織する方法を根本的に変えました。この時代以前、経済は主に農業であり、手作業と伝統的な生産方法に頼っていました。技術革新、資本蓄積、経済環境の変化などが複合して、機械化と効率の新しい時代をもたらしました。

産業革命の重要なきっかけの一つは繊維産業の機械化でした。スピニング・ジェニー、ウォーターフレーム、パワールームなどの発明が織物の生産を革命化し、生産量の大幅な増加を可能にしました。工場は生産の中心地として登場し、これまでにない形で機械と労働を結びつけました。これは従来の仕事の形態からの急激な転換を示しています。

産業革命の象徴的な発明である蒸気機関は、機械を動かし、輸送を促進する重要な役割を果たしました。ジェームズ・ワットによる蒸気機関の改良により、それは多様で効率的な動力源となりました。蒸気動力の工場、鉄道、船が登場し、地域を結びつけ、物流と人の大量移動を促進しました。これは輸送だけでなく、都市化も促進し、雇用を求めて人々が工業地域に押し寄せる契機となりました。

経済の景観は産業革命中に抜本的な変革を遂げました。資本主義が支配的な経済制度として台頭し、生産手段の私有と利益追求が特徴となり、産業の急激な拡大を推進しました。企業家や産業家が富を蓄積し、新たな階級構造が形成され、新興の中間層も生まれました。ただし、この経済的繁栄は均等に分配されず、労働者階級には厳しい労働条件や鮮明な不平等が生まれました。

社会の変化は産業革命の経済的、技術的な変化とともに訪れました。伝統的な農業の生活様式が都市型で工業化された社会に移行しました。農村から都市への人口移動は、工場での雇用の約束に駆り立てられ、都市が急速に拡大しました。都市化には多くの課題も伴いましたが、それには住環境の過密、不適切な衛生状態、病気の蔓延などが含まれていました。

職場自体も急激な変革を遂げました。工場労働は長時間、低賃金、そしてしばしば危険な条件を特徴としていました。幼い子供たちが大人と一緒に工場で働く光景がよく見られ、これに対抗する形で労働運動が台頭し、労働者の権利、良い賃金、改善された労働条件を求めました。労働者の権利と公正な取り扱いへの闘いは、将来の労働者の権利の進展の基盤となりました。

産業革命は文化と社会にも広範な影響を与えました。電信などの通信技術の進歩は情報の長距離交換を容易にしました。印刷文化や新聞の興隆はアイデアの広範な普及を可能にしました。教育の増加もあり、それは均等ではありませんでしたが、識字率の上昇とより情報豊かな市民が形成される一助となりました。

産業革命の否応ない利点にもかかわらず、それには課題や倫理的なジレンマも存在しました。森林伐採、汚染、資源の枯渇など、産業化の環境への影響は持続可能性についての懸念を引き起こしました。社会的な不平等、労働の搾取、工場労働の非人間的な側面は進歩の倫理的な側面についての考察を促しました。

結論として、産業革命は人類の歴史において画期的な瞬間であり、経済、社会、日常生活を形作りました。この時代の技術革新は現代の世界の基盤を築き、仕事、コミュニケーション、輸送の性質を変えました。ただし、社会的不平等、労働の搾取、環境の悪化など、課題も抱えており、産業革命から得られた教訓は今日まで技術の進歩が社会に与える影響についての議論を形成し、イノベーションの追求における倫理的な考慮の重要性を強調しています。