What major historical period is characterized by the increased use of machinery in manufacturing starting in the mid-1700s?

The Industrial Revolution is the major historical period characterized by the increased use of machinery in manufacturing, beginning in the mid-1700s. This period marked a significant transformation in various aspects of society, including economic practices, technological advancement, and social structures.

During the Industrial Revolution, industries shifted from hand production methods to machines, which greatly increased productivity and efficiency. Innovations such as the steam engine, mechanized looms, and advancements in metallurgy played crucial roles in facilitating this shift. As a result, many goods that were once made by artisans or handmade became mass-produced, leading to rapid urbanization as people moved to cities for factory jobs.

In contrast, the Renaissance was primarily a cultural and intellectual movement that celebrated art, literature, and humanism from the 14th to the 17th centuries, rather than a time of industrial change. The Age of Exploration involved the geographic exploration and expansion of empires from the late 15th century into the 17th century, focusing on discovery and trade routes rather than technological advances in manufacturing. The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries that emphasized reason, science, and individual rights, laying the groundwork for modern political and philosophical thought, but it did not specifically