Role of Inventors and Governments in Industrialization - Research Paper Example

ROLE OF INVENTORS, MACHINES AND GOVERNMENTS IN INDUSTRIALIZATION Role of inventors, machines and governments in industrialization Introduction The industrial revolution was marked by the use of superior machines to produce goods. Energy from industrial processes was derived from fuel as opposed to animal sources. Consequently there was en masse production of goods and the rate of industrial growth escalated. Governments exhibited change with respect to military and power balance and Europe emerged as a dominant power. Indeed inventors played a crucial role in the industrial revolution. They established efficient processes to increase farm yield and to produce more numerous goods of superior quality. A good example is Jethro Tull who invented the seed drill in 1701.1 Seeds could be planted at specific depths in proper rows and this was a tremendous improvement in Agriculture. Before the invention farmers would scatter seeds and this was very wasteful as most seeds would not take root. Many other machine inventors would contribute to the mechanization and automation of industrial processes. Discussion Natural resources were utilized to develop machine production processes. Coal and water power were a source of fuel for industrial processes. Construction of buildings, tools and machines was done using iron ore. Rivers served as means of inland transportation of materials, goods and people. In addition harbors for merchant ships were established.2 Industrialization began with the textile industry where the invention of the spinning machine spurred immense growth. The water frame which was invented in 1769 by Richard Arkwright ran on waterpower from rapid streams. Samuel Crompton invented the advance spinning mule in 1779 and it ran on water power and it produced stronger, consistent and finer thread than previous spinning machines.3 There was a ready market for cotton worldwide and supply for cotton from the American South. Advances in the textile industry triggered industrial development in various sectors. In transport, the landmark invention was the steam engine in 1765 by James Watt. Water transport exhibited tremendous improvement in England. A network of human made waterways/canals was established. By 1850, inland channels that spanned 4,200 miles reduced the transport cost for both finished goods and raw materials. English factories were powered by steam driven machinery towards the end of the eighteenth century. Steam driven locomotives were used to transport iron and various raw materials on land. George Stephenson successfully spearheaded the construction of the railroad in 1821.4 Indeed the invention and subsequent perfection of the locomotive had tremendous effects on industrialization. Manufacturers had a cheap means to transport finished goods and raw materials. Numerous jobs were created for both miners (provided coal for steam engines and iron for the rail tracks) and railroad workers. It is important to note that the fishing and agricultural industries were bolstered by the railway line as markets in distant cities were opened up. The following nineteenth century saw the emergence of novel inventions by Americans. In 1831, Cyrus McCormick invented the reaper and it greatly boosted wheat production in America. The telegraph was invented by Samuel Morse in 1837.5 In 1851, Singer advanced the sewing machine by adding a foot treadle. Alexander Graham Bell made a big impact on communication when he invented the telephone in 1876. Communication was greatly instrumental in boosting trade of industrial goods. Industrialization began in Britain and the process was soon replicated in France, Germany, Belgium and the United States.6 Governments played a crucial role in doing away with restrictive laws that prohibited trade thereby promoting industrialization. Sustained industrial growth and competition necessitated the expansion of markets for raw materials and the sale of finished products. Industrialization nurtured the capitalist system and this culminated in the adoption of new strategic and political measures. For instance the English military and diplomatic policies were drafted in order to realize the demands of the economy. Liberalism emerged as a dominant ideology in the industrial economy. Governments embraced free market policies in order to open up markets for industrial goods. In 1838, the Anglo-Turkish trade agreement was established in a bid to promote economic liberalism of the Ottoman Empire.7 This 1838 treaty disbanded local monopolies and British merchants could freely transverse the empire and engage in trade. In addition foreign merchants were exempted from paying an internal customs duty of 8%. This move to free trade promoted Ottoman trade in the 19th century especially with Western Europe. The value of imports escalated from £5.2 million in 1840 to £39.4 million in 1913. The promotion of free trade by governments led to the conceptualization of laissez-faire capitalism in America. This political and economic doctrine proposes minimal government intervention in economic function. Moreover, the market should be regulated by the forces of demand as well as competition. Laissez-faire capitalism promoted industrial growth to the detriment of workers.8 The industry owners raked big profits and the workers were paid very little. In addition workers had to endure inhumane working conditions in factories. In line with laissez faire capitalism, a relatively low tax was imposed on industry owners. Throughout the process of industrialization, the United States Supreme Court upheld laissez faire capitalism. In 1890, Supreme Court Justice Stephen J. Field cited "the right to pursue any lawful business or vocation in any manner not inconsistent with the equal rights of others . . . ." as guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence. In addition, state laws that attempted to regulate child labor, working conditions and minimum wage were ruled as unconstitutional. The decisions were based on the 14th and 5th amendment that prevented federal and state governments from depriving persons/citizens "life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." In this respect corporations were also regarded as persons. In conclusion, major inventions and technological advancements set the pace for industrialization. The steam engine and locomotives present some of the crucial landmark inventions in transport. The railway line and water-ways opened up bigger markets for raw materials as well as finished goods. Machines enabled the scaling up of industrial processes for mass production of goods. Inventors developed machines that ran on water power and fuel. Governments were instrumental in promoting industrial growth by embracing liberal economic strategies that promoted free trade. This opened up bigger markets for industrial goods and raw material. Laissez faire capitalism is a liberal economic concept that emerged in America to promote industrial growth and high profit margins for industrial owners. Throughout the industrialization process, the U.S Supreme Court prohibited federal and state government from making laws touching on minimum wage and working conditions. Bibliography Williamson, Jeffrey. When the Third World Fell Behind. Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2011.103 CRF. “Social Darwinism and American Laissez-faire Capitalism.” Constitution Rights Foundation. 29 Mar 2013. http://www.twymanwhitney.com/history120121/readings/SocialDarwinismandAmerican Laissez-FaireCapitalism.pdf Mokyr, Joel. “Industrial revolution.” OUP. 29 Mar 2013. http://www.oup.com/us/pdf/economic.history/industrial.pdf McDougal, Holt. World History: Patterns of Interaction. Harcourt: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006. Yavuz, Erdal. “The industrial revolution and consequences.” 29 Mar 2013. http://www.yeditepe.edu.tr/dotAsset/74101.pdf Read More