What advancement contributed to urbanization during the Industrial Revolution?

The development of transportation systems was a crucial advancement that significantly contributed to urbanization during the Industrial Revolution. As cities began to grow and industrialize, efficient transportation networks, including roads, canals, and railways, became essential for moving raw materials to factories and finished goods to markets. This accessibility encouraged people to migrate from rural areas to urban centers in search of job opportunities and better living conditions, thereby facilitating the growth of cities.

Transportation advancements also linked previously isolated regions to larger economic centers, further accelerating urban development. The ability to transport goods and people quickly and efficiently opened up new markets and increased production capacities, encouraging industrialists to set up factories in urban areas. This transformation led to a demographic shift, with more individuals relocating to cities for work, thereby intensifying the process of urbanization.

In contrast, the other options do not have a direct impact on urbanization. The introduction of the telephone pertains more to communication improvements rather than physical movement or settlement patterns. The establishment of rural farms may provide agricultural stability and food sources but tends to reinforce rural populations rather than promote urbanization. The rise of individual craftsmen primarily supported a decentralized economy and was more characteristic of pre-industrial society, while urbanization during the Industrial Revolution emphasized collective industrial labor in urban settings