The Forces Which Led to the Industrial Revolution in Britain in the 18th Century - Essay Example

Name of the Student] [Institution] [Course] [Date] Introduction The purpose of this paper is to determine the forces which led to the industrial revolution in Britain in the 18th century. The paper also seeks to address some of the effects of the revolution to the general economy of Britain. More importantly, it will discuss the critical and also its remarkable inventions and technological advancements which have impacted the world at large today. It is very important to appreciate the experience of the industrialization in Britain which is based on its historical background. In this case, it represents the social as well as cultural, economic, political and technological changes which spread throughout the whole world at some times back in the 18th century. The ability of man to think, live better and to possess different amount of wealth led to numerous discoveries. These discoveries did not just enlighten man for the purpose of learning, but also for the purpose of improving living standards and societal growth and developments. More than that, they also led to a considerably an undisputed and consistent advancement to date. After the agrarian revolution, there was lot of production at different capacities. Population increased and the more the desire was created to satisfy this population at their different points of needs. More importantly, there was need to produce in large scale. That need and the passion of the large scale production led to the industrial revolution, which started in Britain and spread to other nations of the world (Rostow, W., 1948). The main Causes (forces) of the Industrial Revolution Upon reflecting on important shift to modern development towards economic history of industrialization, this paper will discuss the following causes of the revolution in fine details. The first aspect of the origin of industrialization was the forces of demand and supply. When emphases are laid on these forces, it was the high wage period of the European economy at the time whereby the general purchasing power was high. At the same time, the period was remarked by high distribution of wealth which created a balance between demand and supply. Therefore, there was need to produce in large scale to ensure the market situation of different products were at their peak. This led to growth of different factories producing different products. For instance, demand of clothes led to the desire to invent a spinning machine, from hand sewing. In the end of 18th century, spinning was done in new factories where workers gathered (Hudson, P. 1989). The government was a real force behind this industrialization process too. The central government reorganized its ability to use favorable policies to ensure Britain reaped and captured the best of the world trade. It also took advantage of its excellent naval power to reap the greatest benefit from its focus on expanding European and the world trade. The British government at the time prioritized industrial development and employed favorable policies and gave out numerous incentives to industrial achievers. In its effort, it maneuvered over other European nations and took control of many colonies which would later provide raw materials for its growing industries and market for the finished products as well. For instance, they employed the mercantilist policies, whose principles were to promote government regulations to any economy for the purpose of boosting the state power over the other competing national power. This policy assumed that the wealth of a nation depended entirely on the possession of precious metals like gold and silver. In the end, Britain limited its exportation of these metals, but expanded its importations. This led to growth of many industries. The presence of an entrepreneurial class in Britain brought about the forces of progress, which were their main achievements and technological advancements. Their true nature of hard work paid off in various industrial ventures. Their confidences were also built on the reinforcement of the rule of law after the establishment of the legal monarchy in Britain. The government provided legal and favorable cultural foundations that enabled these entrepreneurs to prosper fostering the industrial growth (Hudson, P. 1989). It is worth noting too that these environments were created as a result of; the period of peace and stability that existed between England and Scotland after their union, absence of trade barriers between England and Scotland and the rule of law which respected inviolability of contracts. Moreover, there was an uncomplicated legal system which allowed the formation of joint-stock companies and a free market system of entrepreneurial development. Their confidence in investments was also a function of the (depended on) emergence of stable financial markets based on the stage management of the national debts by the Bank of England. Due to these facts, these entrepreneurs developed special interests and in their capacities contributed a lot in the private financial investments which in the end boomed the interested industrial ventures. The abundance of wages (high) in Britain, especially the northwestern side of Britain encouraged technological innovations. Here, coal resources were abundant and cheap at the same time. Coal was very important in the iron production and was required in the running of steam engines. Because they were cheap and purchasing power was positive, there was an increased production of iron, which was used to make other goods like machine spare parts, rails among other iron-made products. Iron making industry began to boom and expanding at the same time. An additional force behind the industrial revolution was the changes in the agricultural system in Britain. According to Toynbee, A. (1956), during this period, there were new scientific approaches to farming, some of which were initiated by Jethro Tull, who invented the seed drill for effectiveness in sowing seeds. He also came up other simple but very efficient ways of plough which boosted agricultural sector. This led to more productions. The abolishment of the enclosure system of communal farming led to family farming system, thereby sending the majority without enough to survive to seek jobs. Crop rotations, among other inventions in this sector led an average agricultural surplus per worker to increase from around 30% to over 60%. That means workers who were not needed in agriculture were available for industrial jobs, hence more input in the industry. Another force for the industrial revolution was the existence of a ready market for the British industries’ produce. Britain was the world’s largest colonial power and by the end of the 18th century, Britain had acquired many colonies which provided market for industrial goods which Britain had produced. No matter the volume of production at any calendar year, there was a ready market for these goods. As a result of that, the industries were kept in constant trade and continued advancements of producing more, hence industrial growth. Agrarian revolution was also a real force to reckon since its impacts were felt throughout Britain. After 17th century, the agrarian revolution made food production more resourceful and less labor-intensive. More importantly, the lesser labor- intensive techniques are employed, the more there were many people without employment in the agricultural sector. This made them to seek employment in the cottage industries and in the newly built-up factories and in the cities. In addition, agrarian revolution and the abolishment of the enclosure system of agriculture led to more agricultural production causing expansion and development of many factories. The limited monopolistic powers were granted to specific group of inventors by the government. Within a developing government grant system, the government actually rewarded inventors and thereby increasing their pace of technological development. For instance, the work and inventions of key inventors such as James Watt and others were publicly notified allowing them to monopolies the production of the first steam engines (Little, A. J., 1976). The presence of philosophers was also a force too. The spread of innovation was majorly created by the network of casual philosophical society. Members of this society met to discuss extensively on science majorly the natural philosophy, and regularly on its application to manufacturing. Their revolutionary mindset flourished the industrial sector of the British economy all through the 18th century. They made the scientific and economic advances to spread to high heights of different volumes of achievements. Most of their works of philosophies are still used today, especially in economics and in scientific fields. Their contributions were worth to be recognized as one of the forces to consider for the industrialization of Britain. Population increase was also a factor to consider as among the first forces to set up industrial revolution in Britain. According to Hudson, P. (1989), between 1750 and 1900, it is worth noting that the population of Britain rose from 7 million to 41 million people. This increase was much over 100% increase and this was caused by a number of factors. Numerous healthy ways and improvements were discovered as more vaccine were created that improved living standards and made people to live longer. Edward Jenner’s creation of small pox vaccination and the fact that people marrying at young ages also contributed to population increase. The more important factor in a bigger population is that a bigger population increases the general demand. Demand creates the necessity to look for employment and this made factories to employ many people because very many people moved to urban areas to seek employments. Even children, whose parents were poor, were employed at the factory. The population increase came with increased production at the factories and prompted industrial growth in Britain during this period. Effect of Industrial revolution to the British economy The 17601-830 revolutions in the British industries created some historical events which included not just economic changes but also sets of continued technological and social changes that spread throughout Europe in the long run and eventually to the rest of the world. The industrial revolution brought a sustainable process of economic progress resulting in increased living standards in Britain and to the rest of the world. When emphases are laid on the British economy particularly, the effects of the revolution led to a complete reformation of production, consumption and international relationships. It also led to exceptional location patterns and changes in the demographic behaviors in almost every aspect of human conditions. In a more detailed manner of arguments, the revolution made some remarkable alterations to the British economy. The first change came when there was almost complete transformation from an agricultural to an industrial system of economy. Industrial progress became the backbone of the British economy after 1870. Before the industrial evolution, people worked at home on their agricultural firms and other normal small workshops like making cloths using bare hand. However, during and after the revolution, faster and cheaper ways of producing clothes were introduced in the textile industry leading to a boom to new height of production of clothes. This actually came by 18th century and after that most spinning was done in new factories where workers gathered. A lot of cloths were produced in excess of what were demanded and there was need to export or trade the surplus to the other nations. This expanded the economy by increasing the volume trade (Zanden, J. L., 2009). The revolution led to expansion of trade. The multi-lateral and the bi-lateral trade increased during and after the revolution leading to increased volume of national output. The general economy registered some growth as a result of increased exportation and importation of different products from different countries. More importantly, the rising trade relationships created mutuality with other nations which later led to more growth. It also led to industrial capitalism and working class. As many people got employed in the industries, wages and working conditions began to become poor for workers. Industry owners took advantages of desperation among workers to exploit them in terms of poor wages. As a result, most industries were frequently crowded with riots after the workers formed labor unions, which was a body of workers that pushed for the benefits of the workers and for the reforms in the working conditions. The mass production of goods during this era led to continued improvement and construction of excellent transport system. Eventually, Britain developed most of its transport system excellently and other infrastructures like communication. Road networks, rail and other modes of transport were enhanced for the purpose of commercial or manufactured produce. The mass production also led to in increased standards of living since many necessities of human wants and needs were available in surplus. It led to separation of labor and perfections at specific tasks (specializations) at different areas of production. Workers became excellent in their work but monotony hindered their morale. However, this production meant products were available at lower costs and many people could afford to buy manufactured goods, thus an increased demand in the general economy. The revolution also led to urbanization as many urban centers were transformed into commercial centers for the purpose of businesses. A large portion of the population moved to towns from the countryside in bids to catch the available job opportunity in the manufacturing industries. Urbanization brought people together, hence resources, which led to a complete transformation of these towns. In the end, they became more favorable for different businesses and heightened economy of Britain (Sobel, A. C., 2013). The overall production of goods and services expanded sequentially as the amount of production per worker increased. That meant that the capital investment per worker in comparison with the labor input per worker was high. Therefore, work rate was relatively high because the revolution had created an independent economic life. More than that, urban workers were completely dependent on the will of their employers than the rural worker had been. Consumer demand changed because consumers had sufficient income to buy products, even exotic ones. This prompted entrepreneurs to invest in machines to speed up production and in the end increased profit. Profits made after production were used in the innovations. This multiplier effect made the economy to increase at an increasing rate within the environments of technological advancements. In conclusion, the industrial revolution was a vital stage of development in the world of production and in generally economic enrichment. It is worth noting that the British economy was the first to flourish after this revolution and is still among the best in the world to date. References: Hudson, P. (1989). Regions and industries: a perspective on the industrial revolution in Britain. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press. Little, A. J. (1976). Deceleration in the eighteenth-century British economy. London: Croom Helm. Pawson, E. (1979). The early industrial revolution: Britain in the eighteenth century. New York: Barnes & Noble Books. Rostow, W. W. (1948). British economy of the nineteenth century; essays.. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Sobel, A. C. (2013). International political economy in context: individual choices, global effects (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: CQ Press. Toynbee, A. (1956). The industrial revolution. Boston: Beacon Press. Wyatt, L. T. (2009). The industrial revolution. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. Zanden, J. L. (2009). The long road to the Industrial Revolution the European economy in a global perspective, 1000-1800. Leiden: Brill. Read More