6.1/6.2 - The Spread of Industry Throughout Europe

The Industrial Revolution: Origins and Spread

Introduction:

• The Industrial Revolution marks a significant shift in how goods were produced, moving from handmade to machine-made production. This transformation began in Great Britain and had far-reaching effects on social, political, and economic structures globally.

Why the Industrial Revolution Began in Great Britain:

1. Agricultural Revolution:

   • The Agricultural Revolution increased the food supply in Britain, leading to lower food costs and more disposable income for the population. This allowed people to spend more on manufactured goods, fueling demand for industrial production.

2. Abundant Capital:

   • Britain had a wealth of capital accumulated from successful entrepreneurs in the cottage industry. These individuals were able to invest in new manufacturing methods, driving industrial growth.

   • Additionally, Britain had a central bank that provided loans to entrepreneurs, further supporting industrial ventures.

3. Entrepreneurship:

   • Britain's rejection of absolutism allowed its Parliament to create a favorable environment for economic innovation. This meant that the Industrial Revolution was primarily driven by private investors rather than government intervention.

4. Favorable Government Policies:

   • The British government enacted policies that supported entrepreneurship and free trade. For example, the repeal of the Corn Laws reduced tariffs on imported grain, leading to cheaper food and more people seeking work in cities, particularly in factories.

5. Rich in Mineral Resources:

   • Britain had abundant deposits of coal and iron ore, essential for industrialization. The small size of the island and the development of roads and canals facilitated the quick transportation of these resources across the country.

6. Access to Markets:

   • Britain’s vast empire provided ready markets for manufactured goods. The global reach of the British Empire allowed for the export of large quantities of goods, further fueling industrial growth.

7. Incentives for Innovation:

   • Institutions like the British Royal Society of the Arts and the government offered prizes for technological innovations, encouraging inventors to develop new technologies that would drive the Industrial Revolution.

   • Significant inventions included the spinning jenny (1764) by James Hargreaves and the steam engine (1769) by James Watt, both crucial to the development of the factory system.

The Crystal Palace and the Great Exhibition (1851):

• To showcase Britain’s industrial dominance, the Great Exhibition was held in 1851, featuring a massive steel and glass structure called The Crystal Palace.

• The exhibition displayed Britain’s industrial achievements, including a massive indoor tree symbolizing the country’s mastery over nature through industrialization.

Spread of Industrialization to the European Continent:

1. France:

   • Industrialization in France began later, around 1859, due to a lack of coal and iron deposits.

   • Napoleon’s efforts laid some foundations for industrialization, including the construction of the Canal de Saint-Quentin, which connected Paris to northern coal and iron fields.

2. Southern and Eastern Europe:

   • Industrialization was slower in these regions due to a lack of mineral resources and the persistence of old economic structures, such as the landed nobility and peasant labor.

   • The slow pace of industrialization in these areas meant that they continued to rely on primitive agriculture, which led to events like the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840s, causing widespread starvation and emigration.