Britain’s Industrial Revolution: Origins and Impact
1. Why Britain Became the First Industrialized Country
The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain in the mid-18th century. The following factors explain why Britain pioneered the revolution, overtaking neighboring countries and becoming the first industrialized nation (the “workshop of the world”):
- A political system in which the power of the monarchy had been limited by Parliament since the 17th century and in which the bourgeoisie had a lot of influence.
- An abundance of resources and raw materials, such as coal, which became the main source of energy.
- An extensive transport network of canals and rivers.
- A colonial empire that provided easy access to raw materials (such as cotton) and created a large market for exporting manufactured products.
- Population growth that had led to a rise in demand and an abundance of labor for the new factories.
2. The Transition from Manufacturing to Factories
In the Middle Ages, people worked at home. There were very few people working, and they worked without machines (everything was handmade), so they didn’t need much energy.
During industrialization, people worked in factories. The number of workers increased. They used to work with machines to produce larger quantities faster, so they used energy to power the machines.
3. Relationship Between Industries and Commercial Expansion
Coal was needed to produce higher temperatures and melt iron ore. Coal was also needed to generate energy in industry. Because of this, coal became a major energy source during the Industrial Revolution. The demand for coal led to the exploitation and growth of mining since it enabled faster and greater production because of the machinery. Finally, the Industrial Revolution gave rise to a market economy.
4. The Need for a New Economic System: Capitalism
The way of production changed radically, requiring large amounts of money, huge spaces, many workers, and raw materials. All of this necessitated a new economic system: capitalism.
Capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production are predominantly privately owned. Its basic theory is that of the free market. Economic activities respond to the free initiative of individuals, whose objective is the pursuit of maximum profit. It is an unplanned system with minimal state intervention. The interests of sellers and buyers are reconciled in the market, which is regulated only by the law of supply and demand. Capitalism is plagued by overproduction, an excess of supply above the consumption capacity of society. This leads to declining sales, falling prices and profits, the closure of companies, and unemployment.
5. The New Class Society
Bourgeoisie
The bourgeoisie possessed capital, carried out business, and owned factories, financial institutions, and companies.
They were divided into:
- High bourgeoisie (bankers, landowners, etc.)
- Middle bourgeoisie (doctors, merchants, civil servants, etc.)
- Petty bourgeoisie (employees, artisans, etc.)
Proletariat
The proletariat worked in factories, mines, and transport in exchange for a wage. They had very poor working conditions, such as:
- No labor laws to regulate working conditions and wages
- 14-16 hour workdays
- No protection in case of accident or illness
- Noisy and suffocating working environment
- Harsh discipline
- Women and children worked in the same conditions as men but received lower wages