What does industrialization refer to?

Industrialization refers to the development of industries for machine production, marking a significant transformation in economies and societies. This period is characterized by the transition from economies based primarily on agriculture and handmade goods to ones dominated by manufacturing industries and mechanized production. This shift enabled mass production of goods, significantly increased productivity, and often led to urbanization as people moved to cities for factory jobs. The introduction of machinery not only changed the methods of production but also had broad impacts on social structures, labor forces, and economic systems throughout industrialized nations.

The other options do not accurately represent industrialization. Eradicating manual labor does not capture the full essence of industrialization since it often involved large numbers of workers operating machines. A shift back to agrarian societies contradicts the very concept of industrialization, which is about moving forward into industrial and urban economies. Finally, the rise of artisanal crafts represents a more traditional and pre-industrial approach to production, which does not reflect the mechanized and large-scale production associated with industrialization.