What period saw machines gradually replace hand tools in manufacturing, leading to urban migration for factory jobs?

The Industrial Revolution is the correct answer because it marks a significant period in history, starting in the late 18th century and continuing through the 19th century, where there was a major shift in manufacturing processes. During this time, innovations in technology led to the development of machines that could perform tasks traditionally done by hand. This transition not only increased production efficiency but also changed the nature of labor.

As factories began to emerge, many people migrated from rural areas to urban centers in search of jobs. The rise of factory work meant that numerous agricultural laborers and artisans sought employment in these new industrial workplaces, leading to significant demographic shifts and the growth of cities. This period was characterized by advancements in steam power, textile manufacturing, and iron production, which played pivotal roles in transforming economies and society.

In contrast, the other periods listed do not focus on this transition of labor and technological change. The Growth Era refers generally to periods of economic expansion without the specific focus on industrialization through machinery. The Information Age is much more recent, dealing with the rise of digital technology and information systems. The Age of Enlightenment was primarily an intellectual movement in the 17th and 18th centuries focused on ideas around philosophy, science, and human rights, without