The Industrial Revolution 1.The I.R. definition - The I.R. started in England in about 1700 and spread rapidly through Europe and North America. - The Industrial Revolution: the change that transforms a people with peasant occupations and local markets into an industrial society with world-wide connections. - This new type of society makes great use of machinery and manufactures goods on a large scale for general consumption.The Industrial Revolution 1.The I.R. definition - The I.R. started in England in about 1700 and spread rapidly through Europe and North America. - The Industrial Revolution: the change that transforms a people with peasant occupations and local markets into an industrial society with world-wide connections. - This new type of society makes great use of machinery and manufactures goods on a large scale for general consumption