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When it comes to an Industrial Revolution or Commercial Revolution, what defines that? Is there a beginning and an end to it? And how is this different (if it is) from a period of history like High Middle Ages or Early Modern?
The traditional view that I learned for defining a historical revolution was an event, events, invention, or process that l;ed to a paradigm shift in the way people interacted. Define interaction as broadly as possible so that it encompasses retty much all aspects of human activity with one another and you kind of get the idea. I don't know that I buy the whole idea of historical revolutions. I have discussed this on my blog somewhat in relation to RMAs but I think my objections apply equally to just about anything. I am firmly of the belief that history is more evolutionary than revolutionary.
I would agree with Scout's definition. We're talking about “paradigm shift” on a large scale, rather than isolated instances. I think it's tricky, though, when pointing to shifts which have been labeled as “revolutions” by historians; one could potentially pick out many more examples of paradigm shifts throughout history which do not have standardized names, like the Industrial Revolution, Tech Revolution, Sexual Revolution, etc.Incidentally, I heard that there was debate whether or not the Industrial Revolution ever ended. Perhaps this suggests that Revolutions, by nature, cannot have ends (otherwise they would just be something akin go "movements"). As for the commercial vigor of the Middle Ages - I think that it may have been considered more as a "Revolution" if it had been sustained and not ended by the Black Death or the end of the medieval warm period. In essence, though, I think it could probably be labeled a "Revolution" (I'm guessing some historians do use this label for that period of time).
Incidentally, I heard that there was debate whether or not the Industrial Revolution ever ended.
This is what kind of made me ask the question. If we're still using things (like cars) that defined the beginning of the Industrial Revoution, then did it really end? The whole Industrial Revolution I'm good with, but isn't there a 1st and 2nd Revolution? If so, what separated it from each other?I don't think I read that entry on scout's blog. I'll have to check it out and see how it compares to this.
The way I have read is that the debate is not whether the Industrial Revolution ended but whether it has shifted into a different phase and what that phase should be called. The shift has been labeled the information or computational revolution and begins with the first mass produced co-processors in the 70's.
