Industrialization is the process by which countries modernize through social and economic changes and technological advancement.

Industrialization went underway in Western Europe in 1750 to 1914. This time period is often referred to as the Industrial Revolution. Industrialization began in Britain and was characterized with the replacement of human labor with machines. New technological innovations such as the steam engine led to greater communication and forms of transportation. In addition, this process led to a new factory system for larger production, though this caused a shift in social life. Previously, production came from cottage industries were people worked from their homes. With the introduction of factories, these cottage industries were replaced.

Many disruptions to basic life were caused as their was more focus on efficient production for greater profit and adjustments to life were made to allow renewed leisure activities which had been repressed at first and a more stable population. One important result of industrialization was increased urbanization and suburbanization. The economy now included manufacturing as well as agricultural and many families moved from rural areas to cities. Though industrialization provided many economic advantages, pollution and poor health conditions in factories began to be prevalent problems.