An in-depth summary of the industrial revolution, including everything you need to know about overseas trade, technological innovation, entrepreneurship and much more.
2.1 What were the causes of the industrial revolution?
1709 Abraham Derby develops coke-fired iron foundry at Coalbrookdale
1712 Henry Newcomen develops first practical steam engine
1733 John Kay invents flying shuttle, a vital step towards automatic weaving
July 1761 Bridgewater Canal opens between Worsley and Manchester
Feb 1763 Peace with France; Britain’s colonies in North America, West Indies and
India are secure
1764 Spinning Jenny invented by James Hargreaves
1770s James Watt successfully adapts Newcomen’s steam engine for other
commercial purposes
1771 Richard Arkwright successfully installs his water mule in a purpose-built factory
1783-1784 Henry Cort refines the puddling process in iron production
1811 Luddite outbreaks start
Aug 1819 Peterloo massacre
Sep 1825 Stockton to Darlington railways
Jun 1832 Great Reform Act; government reformed
Jun 1833 Factory Act
Mar 1834 Tolpuddle Martyrs sentenced for trying to form a Trade Union
Sep 1834 New poor law
Sep 1835 Municipal Corporations Act
May 1838 People’s charter drawn up
Sep 1848 Public Health Act
Causes of the industrial revolution
● Capital investment: Entrepreneurs and investors were necessary for the
Industrial Revolution to happen because they provided the capital and
resources to finance technological innovation. They were just as fundamental
to the success of inventions as the inventors because without them they
wouldn't have been able to make the innovations that characterised the
industrial revolution.
● Technological innovation: Technological innovation and early
mechanisation was absolutely fundamental to Britain’s industrialisation. The
scientific revolution helped in some of these inventions which completely
changed the way in which we live. The use of machinery changed production
, dramatically, making it much more efficient. Rapid advances in technology
such as the manufacturing of machinery was one of the most important
inventions of the age. This factor was fundamental to the industrial revolution
in Britain and its development as without it it would have been impossible to
industrialise as early or as quickly as it did. Machines were used to make the
production more efficient which led to other increases in productivity and so
on in a positive cycle. For example, the technological innovations in transport
meant machinery and resources such as coal could be transported more
easily for their production and consumption. Thanks to the invention of canals
products were made more readily available to consumers and producers and
thus fuelled the industrial revolution.
● Agricultural revolution: The increase in agricultural output during the 18th
century which trebled between 1700 and 1770 was a leading factor of
industrialisation as it increased the health standards of the country. This
meant it was largely responsible for the demographic expansion of the period
and the urbanisation that also occurred. Less people were needed in the
agricultural sector even though production increased, thus people could work
in other sectors of the economy such as the industry sector.
● Government: The government’s actions helped cause the industrial
revolution as it favoured innovation and entrepreneurship. It was pro-business
and applied the policy of laissez faire in some areas of the economy such as
low taxes and low interest rates to boost aggregate demand. In other areas of
the economy it intervened where necessary, passing over 500 Enclosure Acts
which boosted agricultural output and 52 acts allowing canals to be built. It
helped having a constitutional monarchy as a lot of the MPs were landowners
so they passed laws which helped them and other businessmen. They also
protected trade and foreign markets which increased demand for British
goods.
● British Empire: The British Empire was very important in the industrial
revolution because of a number of reasons; it enabled mercantilism and then
free trade, Britain had lots of foreign markets and it provided jobs and
weapons to be made to defend these colonies. Mercantilism meant Britain’s
colonies could not trade with each other only with the metropoli, so Britain
could export expensively and import cheaply.
● Trade and transport: Foreign trade was already important to the British
economy before rapid industrialisation began. The British navy saw as one of
its primary functions - after defending the country - to protect trade and
interests abroad. With these policies - mercantilism and later free trade - lots
of money flowed into the economy which could then be reinvested in sectors
of the economy, causing economic growth. Early developments in transport
meant canals and later railways could transport goods across the country and
also around the world, increasing profit and production. Canals could take
goods to and from ports such as Bristol and Liverpool which could be
exported or imported.
, ● Natural resources: Britain had a large supply of natural resources which
made it favourable for them to industrialise. They had large coal reserves, a
good river system and other natural resources which could be used to boost
production. Weather was favourable for some crops too, helping the
agricultural revolution develop.
Consequences of the industrial revolution
● Developments in transport and communication: Railways and steam
locomotives were developed in the 1830s onwards, improving production,
creating jobs and maximising profit. Communication also improved
significantly thanks to the invention of the telegraph in 1837 or the invention of
the telephone in 1876.
● Better standards of living. People were happier than before, largely due to
them being richer and being able to access more goods and services. People
were healthier too.
● Growth of the middle class and increase in wealth. There was a larger
middle class made up of entrepreneurs, which in due turn led to an increase
of the country’s wealth. The country was generally much richer than before,
with the GDP increasing at an incredible rate.
● Military superiority. As Britain was the first country to industrialise, it
essentially had hegemony over the other countries of the world militarily.
During the eighteenth and nineteenth century it had the largest empire and
the strongest navy, it was the first global superpower due to its dominance in
industry, military and economy.
● Increased international trade. Countries now traded much more with each
other, not only the UK. There was much more variety and the global market
opened.
● Political reform. With the Reform Act in 1832 the franchise was expanded so
the British people had more political representation. Working conditions also
improved despite them being awful at the beginning of the industrial revolution
due to popular demand and protest.
The agricultural revolution
Developments in agriculture helped stimulate the industrial revolution not only
because it led people from producing their own food in the countryside to living in the
city and buying their food, but also because farmers began to earn profit from what
they produced, rather than just producing enough to feed their families.
- In the decades before 1750 Britain underwent significant agricultural changes.
Most of the time there was sufficient food to feed the whole population, unlike
in France, for example.
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