Industrialisation in Britain
Industrialisation in Britain
Industrialisation in Britain
Britain was the first European nation to industrialise. During the first half of the
19th century, it was the leading industrialised nation in the world. It manufactured
textiles and a variety of items made of iron.
Britain had rich coal mines which provided enough coal for industrial
power. The surplus was exported. This made Britain to be the leading trading
nation during the first half of the 19th century.
The other European countries and USA borrowed the industrial technology
from Britain. By 1870s Britain ceased to be the world’s leading industrialised
nation.
The last half of the 19th century was associated with many scientific
inventions and discoveries which promoted industrialisation not only in Britain but
also in other nations like USA, France and Germany. Britain became the first
nation to industrialise because of the following factors which contributed to the
development of industries:
3. There was sufficient raw materials in Britain in form of coal, iron and cotton
for use in the industries.
5. The British army was strong and superior. It defended the waters of Britain
effectively from competitions by rival nations from sea pirates.
7. Trade barrier such as tariffs which could hinder trade never existed in
Britain by then because it had adopted the policy of free trade.
8. Britain had enterprising merchants who manned trade and also encouraged
industrial growth and development.
9. It had well developed cottage industries which laid the basis of the industrial
take off.
12. The rapid population growth in Britain expanded the internal market for the
manufactured goods while the acquisition of colonies overseas provided
external markets.
13. The technological advancement of the people in Britain brought about new
inventions which stimulated industrialisation.
15. The Agrarian Revolution had provided industrial workers with sufficient
food.
c) There was the expansion of the banking industry and insurance. These
provided services to both industrial owners and workers. They also created
new employment opportunities.
f) The standards of living of many Britons was raised due to income obtained
from the industries. The rise of the standards of living of the middle class in
particular resulted to the class struggle between the rich and the poor in
Britain therefore sharpening the social stratification.