Imagine a place of vast transformation and new discoveries. We would no doubt think of an era of flying vehicles and moving sidewalks. No, we're not talking about a sketch from the Jetsons cartoon, but rather about European society in the era of industrialization. The year is 1900 and Europe has changed considerably since the era of exploration of the 17th century. At that time, most people believed that this was the future, a revolutionary feat that would change the world forever. European countries prosper thanks to industrial factories and huge trade exchanges. The British, French, German and Belgian states all produced massive factories to meet a growing desire for new industrial goods. Railroads and steamships increased the transportation of goods over vast distances, while large workforces pushed the industrial age to its limits. How did Europeans push for such a serious transformation? The answer can be seen in the mid-18th century, when dramatic changes became more widespread. European states experienced significant political and economic changes during the 18th and 19th centuries. By incorporating new factory methods and protective tariffs, states prospered very well during this period. European states also used earlier ideas from the Enlightenment period to reject traditional methods and favor new, revolutionary ideas applicable to all aspects of society. Not only did Europe change politically and economically, but it also created new ideals that forever changed the European social system. The emerging middle class and working classes were in direct correlation with the European economic system. Although they had their own different identities, they all played a role in the form...... middle of paper ......o centuries ago people were placed in a class system by birth. In the 1880s, people were able to move up and down the class system, which sparked social reforms and protests from socialist supporters. Men, women and children found themselves working in factories for the first time in human history. Families decreased in size and began to value education. Politically, European states introduced forms of relief for the poor and enforced child labor laws. To protect their economies, states also impose protective customs tariffs to keep foreign competitors at bay. Western Europe changed radically from the beginning of the 17th century; therefore, the entire world has been changed by such transformative revolutionary impact. Works Cited Bentley, Ziegler, Traditions and Connections, 669 Stearns, Industrial Revolution in World History, 89