What major economic transformation began in England and represents a shift from traditional to modern societies?

The Industrial Revolution is the correct answer as it marks a significant economic transformation that began in England in the late 18th century, fundamentally altering traditional agrarian economies into industrialized and mechanized societies. This shift was characterized by the transition from hand production methods to machine-based manufacturing, which led to increased production efficiency and the growth of factories.

The Industrial Revolution also initiated profound social changes, including urbanization, as individuals moved from rural areas to cities in search of work in these newly established factories. This movement not only transformed the economic landscape but also influenced social structures, such as class dynamics. It set the stage for the modern economy, which relies on mass production and advanced technology, and laid the foundation for the global capitalist system that we see today.

In contrast, while urbanization does play a key role in the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, it is a consequence of that transformation rather than the transformative event itself. Colonial expansion, while important historically, is not primarily an economic transformation that redefined local economies in the same way. Similarly, feudal reformation is related to the political and social shifts in land ownership and societal structures prior to the rise of industrial economies, rather than the transition into modern industrial society specifically.