Forces of Industrialization in Britain - Example

Forces of Industrialization in Britain Student’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Code: Date of Submission: Introduction For many years, the world has continued to witness high level of industrial revolution. For instance, in the in many parts of Britain, industrialization started taking place over two centuries ago. During this time, different manufacturing companies did emerge and which to greater extent tended to transform the lifestyle of many regions economically, socially and politically (Appleby 2010). However, some parts remained untouched for relatively long. The question that arose during this time is if industrialization was witnessed in all parts of Britain. Since during this time there was a slow increase in national income associated with gradual growth, many of the people could argue that industrial revolution did actually take place across the country. However, this notion has been denied by leaders including the Prime Minister of Britain David Cameron. According to him, the changes witnessed in various sectors of the economy across the country even upto today, is as result of the revolution that took place during the eighteenth and the nineteenth centuries. The objective behind this exercise is to help discuss the major forces that led to the industrial revolution in Britain, during the eighteenth and nineteenth century and finally, how the industrial revolution altered the economy of the country. Forces of industrial revolution Prior to industrial revolution, the world especially the countries from the west had already experienced what was termed as agrarian revolution. However, despite the fact that agrarian revolution was considered as the major source of power and economic growth, the story of development could not end as many countries later on matched to what is called industrial revolution. In Britain, the story was the same and this was a result of a number of forces. Demand A demand which is in the amount of goods and services that the markets need to meet the needs, was a major force for the kind of industrial revolution that was witnessed in Britain during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. Demand was both from the local and overseas markets. To start with, it is highly argued that the kind of industrial revolution that was witnessed in Britain during this period was a result of the commercial revolution that was being witnessed in many parts of the world (Clark 2007). It can be recalled that during this period that the world had been divided into numerous trading empires and this was particularly common in the European countries. Now, what happened during this period and greatly contributed to a high level of industrialization is the expansion of Britain to different countries. This factor was contributed to by the fact that Britain was aggressive and managed to acquire different empires across the world (Gauci 2006). Britain did not only provide goods and services to the already empires, but also tried to trade with them and at the same time did manage to expand its markets to these countries. However, important to note is that, the established empires were owned in the form of colonies and they were spread across the world in the including Asia, Africa and some parts of North America. The influence that the merchants had on these empires, caused them to even search for industrial goods which the markets were in need of (Allen 2009). This actually led to industrialization back at home as the traders sought means of getting and delivering industrial goods to the various empires. While the international market for industrial goods was still expanding during this period, it is the domestic market that contributed greatly to industrialization. The country’s domestic market remained the largest market for industrialized goods. Further, the domestic market for industrial products rapidly grew during this period and this scenario was contributed greatly to the rapid increase in the country’s population, increasing standards of living and increased migration of persons from the rural areas to urban centers and thus having a direct link with the market. The increased consumption led to the need to engage in massive production as a response (McCloskey 2004). Supply Just like the case of demand, supply of different products also contributed immensely to the process of industrialization in Britain only from a different perspective. While in the case of demand, the market was in dire need for various products, in the case of supply, different industrial products and innovations that could be used for industrialization were being made available. This is to mean that it is not the merchants that were driving industrialization but the inventive engineers of the time who were able to manufacture different machines that could be used in factories and industries to facilitate production of different commodities (Gauci 2006). The inventions that took place during this time greatly contributed to decline in the cost of production that translated into cheaper prices and consequently led to the development of own market. In this kind of scenario, it actually be depicted that it is not the commercial revolution that led to the industrial revolution of the time but the scientific revolution that took place. Although not common, this is the explanation that is being held even upto today in regard to what led to industrial revolution and this is because of the historical work done by earlier inventors who actually did replace charismatic leaders who only contributed to political revolution (McCloskey 2004). Transport revolution Also important during this time and that contributed immensely to industrial revolution is the growth of the transport sector across the world. The important feature of transport revolution that could be associated with industrial revolution is the ease to be able to move different goods and labor across the world. During this period the important transport facilities that had been put into use could help individuals travel on roads, waters, canals and rail. What this meant in the world of industrialization, is that any demand that existed, could easily be noted and relevant delivery made to meet it (Mokyr 2010). In the real economic world, it is only possible to translate mass demand into massive production only if there is transport means that can be relied upon. In other worlds, once the market demand has been identified what should follow is production, however, before production commences, one should find out whether the market could easily be reached and that the products can be delivered within the required time (Gauci 2006). Further, with immense discovery and development in the transport sector, many of the merchants and other producers, were relieved of the burden of cost and what this meant is that the market prices in the market were significantly reduced and consequently high demand. Before the new discovery of different transport means, what seemed to be a big challenge to industrial revolution is the fact that it is the wheeled wagon was mainly used for transportation. However, with major contribution the private sector who took an earlier initiative to improve road, water and canal transport, the transport network throughout Britain was highly improved and that both raw materials and other products of industrialization, could easily be ferried not only to domestic markets but also to other parts of Europe (McCloskey 2004). Agricultural revolution The most important for success in industrial revolution, is the ability within the economy to be able to move different resources including labor, capital and raw materials from the agricultural area to the industrial facilities for further processing. In the world economy, agricultural revolution had preceded industrial revolution and therefore the challenge that was being experienced during that time, is the process of transforming the agricultural economy into an industrial economy. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Britain was one among very few countries in the world that did experience major land reforms. The land reforms in particular were undertaken as an initiative to outline different policies to govern the land ownership and distribution as well as an organization with the aim of enhancing its productivity for the benefit of the economy (More 2000). This led to a massive of farmers from what can be termed as subsistence farming to commercial farming where individuals not only produced to meet their own needs but also for earning extra income. Further, following land reforms, new crops were adopted and methods of production enhanced and the end result was increased output from the agricultural sector. This way the agricultural sector did not help the economy produce for the growing population but also for the industrial consumers. Agriculture actually did contribute immensely to industrial revolution following high productivity in the agricultural sector which did provide substantially the kind of raw materials that were essential in industrial production (Snooks 2000). Economic changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution One important thing to talk about industrial revolution not only in Britain but in the whole world, is how it has contributed to the growth of economy of different nations and this is the contribution it has made from different aspects as discussed below: Replacement of people by machines in production Industrialization is one such important sector of the economy that many countries of the world have sought to embrace over the years. While production has been a very important process in any economy, the methods that have been used in the past, have tended to hinder it and consequently the process of industrialization. However, this has changed since the industrial revolution. This is because different machines have been developed as a result of innovation in the industrial processes (McCloskey 2004). Replacement of homes as centers of production Prior to the industrial revolution, many people in the country used to rely on products that were being manufactured by large factories and industries. However, with the enactment of different policies that provide subsidies for activities related to industrialization, people can now engage in craftsmen like artisan industrial activities which can be committed even at the family level. This has helped totally change the perception that industrialization it all belongs to the large players who have enough money to invest in the production process. In this regard, people can now undertake small scale industrial production from their homes (Snooks 2000). Improvement in the standards of living More than ever before, the lives of many as is in the case of the highly industrialized countries have tremendously improved. This follows the fact that with industrialization, the market is now stocked with all kinds of goods. What this means that people can now access different goods that they wish and think that they can add value to their lives. On the same, with revitalized industrial production, competition among different producers has continued over the years to increase and the end result has been quality products at more affordable prices (More 2000). Reforming of industrial relations Industrial relations are important in any organization since they determine they influence the kind of relation that exists between the employers and their employees. Prior to the industrial revolution, employers had almost absolute powers to hire and even dismiss their employees even under insignificant grounds. Forming of labor unions before the industrial revolution was a very rare option and that employees were not allowed in any way to meet in groups, associate and even interact. This means that many of the employees’ benefits were overlooked. However, with the emergence of the industrial revolution, the trend has changed (Gatrell 2004). This is because numerous reforms on industrial relations have been enacted by the government in order to make sure that people who work in different factories, their rights are respected and working conditions improved. This is after numerous riots that came with industrialization and that had impacted negatively on the performance of the sector. It is in this regard as part of the government quest, some stable working relations have been established between the employers and the employees and as a result a more stable economy (Snooks 2000). Conclusion This article has discussed how the industrial revolution in Britain has been like and in particular the forces that had led to the industrial revolution in the country between the eighteenth and nineteenth century and the ways in which it has altered the country’s economy. A number of forces that had contributed to the industrial revolution in Britain included demand, supply, agricultural supply and transport revolution. On the other hand, the industrial that has taken place in the country have contributed immensely to the alterations being witnessed today in the sector which include replacement of people by machines in production, replacement of homes as centers of production, improvement of living standards and industrial relations. In general, industrial revolution has gone through a very long journey and is one important sector of the economy that its contribution cannot be assumed. References Allen, R. C. (2009). The British Industrial Revolution in a Global Perspective. London: Edward Arnold. Appleby, J. (2010). The Relentless Revolution: A history of Capitalism. London: Routledge. Clark, G. (2007). A Farewell to Alms: A Brief Economic History of the World. New York: Princeton University Press Gatrell, P. (2004). "Farm to factory: a reinterpretation of the Soviet industrial revolution". The Economic History Review, 57(4), p. 794-798. Gauci, P. (2006). Emporium of the World: The merchants of London, 1660-1800, London: Edward Arnold. McCloskey, D. (2004). "Review of The Cambridge Economic History of Britain (edited by Roderick Floud and Paul Johnson)". Times Higher Education Supplement, p. 15. Mokyr, J. (2010). The Enlightened Economy: An Economic History of Britain, 1700-1856, London: Routledge. More, C. (2000). Understanding the Industrial Revolution. London: Routledge Snooks, G.D. (2000). Was the Industrial Revolution Necessary? London: Routledge Read More