Industrialization in Britain

Industrialization in Britain

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Industrialization in Britain

This change, which occurred between 1750 and 1830, happened because conditions were perfect in Britain for the Industrial Revolution. The transformation was facilitated by the following factors;

1. Availability of coal and iron ore which served as a basis for heavy industries. Coal was a source of energy for use in the industries. Iron was used in the manufacture of machinery.
2. The agrarian revolution ensured that important raw materials were available for the industries and also made food more available for the many factory centres
3. Existence of a large population which provided steady internal market for the manufactured goods/domestic local markets. There was also Availability of external markets in her colonies for the industrial produce.
4. Existence of cottage industries which acted as a base for industrial take-off in Britain. It was easier to turn to mass production of goods on the basis of the small scale production in cottage industries.
5. Due to the enclosure act, many peasants became available to offer unskilled labour especially following their displacement from the rural areas.
6. Political stability and strong leadership that existed at the time created a contusive environment for investments when compared to other European countries.
7. Well developed transport and communication network e.g railway, canals, bridges, harbours and roads which promoted industrialization.
8. Existence of good banking and insurance systems which gave financial help and security to the industries.
9. Britain had a strong navy that guarded her trade routes thus protecting her merchants from foreign competition.
10. Policy of free trade encouraged industrialization/ existence of the merchant and middle class who formed pressure groups that forced the government to adopt measures favoring their industries.britain had no internal customs barrier to hurt her industrial growth.
11. Availability of wealth/capital that stimulated industrial revolution. Britain had accumulated a lot of wealth from her trade with other countries and her colonies in America and africa.e.g. The steam engine was made in Britain by a wealth Briton.
12. Availability of industrial raw materials in her vast colonies.

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Industrialization in Continental Europe

The Industrial Revolution on Continental Europe came a little later than in Great Britain. 
Reasons why other European countries delayed in the industrialization process.

• a) The political upheavals in France, Germany and Italy were responsible for the delay in the take- off of industrialization.
• b) The existence of a feudal economy in which the peasant farmers could not afford to buy industrial goods nor raise capital to invest in industry.
• c) The system of farming implied that inadequate raw materials came from the farms thus making it difficult for industrial development.
• d) Their system of transport was not developed.
• e) Unlike Britain, these countries did not have an enterprising class of people and scientists ready to take up the task of industrial investment and invention.

Factors that led to industrial development in continental Europe

1. Political stability and strong leadership that followed the unification of Italy and Germany and end of Napoleonic rule in France created a condusive environment for investments when compared to other European countries. Feudalism was also abolished. 
2. The agrarian revolution that had taken place in continental Europe ensured that the countries had raw materials for their industries. Other strategic raw materials like coal and iron were readily available.
3. There was adequate capital from the rich traders who willingly invested in industry. Britain also gave loans to the European countries to industrialize.
4. Existence of good banking and insurance systems which gave financial help and security to the industries.
5. Existence of a large population which provided both skilled and unskilled labour required by the industries.
6. The European governments supported the industrial ventures that were aimed at enhancing economic development. French and Germany governments gave tax concessions and subsidies to encourage industrialization.
7. Existence of a steady internal and external market for the manufactured goods/there was a high European population that consumed most goods locally.
8. Well developed transport and communication network e.g better roads, railway and water transport which meant that industrial workers, raw materials and finished goods could be transported easily.
9. Countries in continental Europe had vast sources of energy such as coal, steam power and electricity which enhanced industrial development.
10. The development of new skills in science and technology facilitated industrial growth. Some European countries like France and Germany sent their people to Britain to acquire skills and ideas in science and also invited English technicians to their countries.

 Effects of the industrial revolution in Europe.

1. Creation of employment opportunities. Ordinary working people found increased opportunities for employment in the new mills and factories.
2. Emergence of Factories and urbanization. Industrialization led to the creation of the factory system was largely responsible for the rise of the modern city, as large numbers of workers migrated into the cities in search of employment in the factories.
3. Improved Standards of living. Living conditions and health care improved during the 19th century. The famines that troubled rural areas did not happen in industrial areas.
4. Population increase. As living conditions and health care improved during the 19th century, Europe’s population doubled every 50 years. Infant mortality reduced.
5. Local and international trade developed. Manufactured goods were sold locally while others were exported to America. The industries also created market for raw materials from Africa and Asia.
6. European economies became diversified as a result of industrial growth. This led to specialization e.g. traders, bankers, mechanics and agriculturalists.
7. Development and use of machinery in agriculture led to increased production
8. Improvement in Transportation and technology. The expansion of business and factories expanded Canals, highways and railways were expanded.
9. Large scale production of a wide range of goods. new methods of farming , such as the use of fertilizers and new crop breeds were developed 
10. The industrial revolution promoted development of science and technology. There was increased utilization of knowledge in production of goods as well as scientific inventions such as invention of electricity.
11. The emergence of trade union movement. The Industrial Revolution concentrated labour into mills, factories and mines, thus facilitating the organization of combinations or trade unions to help advance the interests of working people.
12. Eventually effective political organization for working people was achieved through the trades unions who began to support socialist political parties that later merged to become the British Labour Party.
13. It led to Political corruption - the amount of money generated by the Industrial Revolution created a class of super rich who could buy any politician or process.
14. Environmental damage - there were few if any rules regarding how resources could be removed and used. The air was horribly polluted from factories, as was the soil and rivers.
15. There was increased exploitation of natural resources in Europe during the revolution. Iron, coal and steel production increased.
16. Industrial revolution was accompanied with economic Exploitation of people. While jobs were created, sometimes the jobs were dangerous and people died. Harsh working conditions, Child labour, dirty living conditions, and long working hours were prevalent.
17. Rise of unemployment. The rapid industrialization cost many craft workers their jobs. Many weavers found themselves suddenly unemployed since they could no longer compete with machines to produce cloth.
18. The industrial revolution was responsible for the scramble and partition of Africa. The colonies produced raw materials for industries in Europe and also acted as markets for goods processed in Europe. For this reason, many European nations sought to have as many colonies as possible.

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