Read the paragraph then answer the following questions pertaining to the text.
"The Industrial Revolution was a period of significant technological advancements and societal changes that took place in the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, traditional manual labor was gradually replaced by machinery and mass production methods. The invention of steam power, the development of factories, and the growth of industries such as textiles and ironworks revolutionized the way goods were produced. As a result, there was a rapid increase in urbanization and the emergence of a working class. This period of industrialization had far-reaching effects on the economy, society, and the environment."
1. What was the period known as the Industrial Revolution characterized by?