Industrial Revolution: Britain’s Transformation and its Global Impact
Economic and Social Change in 18th Century Britain
The Industrial Revolution marked a period of profound economic and social transformation in 18th-century Britain.
Economic Transformations
- Phase 1: Changes in production methods including new energy sources, machinery, and workforce concentration. Development of transportation infrastructure.
- Capitalism: The driving force behind industrial growth.
Social Transformations
- Emergence of a new social class: the proletariat, who sold their labor for wages.
- Rise of the labor movement.
Cultural Impact
Artistic and literary works reflected the new socio-economic landscape.
The Industrial Revolution: A Catalyst for Change
The Industrial Revolution transformed Britain from an agrarian and commercial economy to an industrial powerhouse, driven by technological innovations that increased production efficiency.
Population Growth
Decreased mortality rates due to improved diet, hygiene, and sanitation.
Agricultural Revolution
New production techniques (e.g., fertilizers), new instruments, and the concentration of farm properties through “enclosures.”
Commercial Expansion and Communication
The Industrial Revolution was facilitated by significant commercial expansion.
Early Industries and the Steam Revolution
Textile Industry
Continuous technical innovations led to the mechanization of spinning and weaving, concentrating workers and machines in factories.
Steel Industry
Utilization of coal, machines, and tools to support agriculture, industry, and transport.
Steam Engine
James Watt’s invention was applied in textile, mining, and steel industries, and later in ships and rail transport.
Big Capitalism
An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production, where workers sell their labor for wages. Prices are determined by supply and demand.
New Sources of Financing
- Factory renovations required significant capital, leading to the growth of banking.
- Anonymous societies (joint-stock companies) emerged, with ownership divided into shares.
Business Concentration
- Vertical concentration: Companies merged to control the entire production process.
- Horizontal concentration: Companies in the same industry merged to reduce competition.
Internationalization of Markets
Increased, albeit unequal, trade relations between countries.
Technical Advances
Significant technical progress, such as the Bessemer converter for improved steel production.
New Energy Sources
- Electricity: Edison’s invention of the light bulb and the development of hydroelectric power.
- Oil: Became important for transportation fuel; the first oil well was drilled in the USA in 1859.
New Industries
- Chemical Industry
- Electrical Industry
- Food Industry
Economic Liberalism
A theory advocating for freedom of action in all economic sectors. Prominent representative: Adam Smith.
Features
- Labor is the source of wealth.
- Personal interests serve the collective interest.
- Supply and demand regulate economic activities.
- Minimal government intervention.
- Free exchange of products.
Capitalist employers acted without restrictions, leading to injustices and the rise of the labor movement.
Class Society: Origin and Development
Gradual disappearance of privilege, social mobility, and membership based on ownership of the means of production (bourgeoisie) or labor (proletariat).
- Rise of the bourgeoisie as the dominant group in political, social, and economic spheres.
- The proletariat: industrial workers.
- Wealth accumulation during the Industrial Revolution led to a rich but uneven society.
Early Labor Movement
- Exhausting working hours.
- Child labor in mines and factories under harsh conditions.
- Low wages, especially for women and children.
- Lack of holidays and social security.
- Prohibition of worker associations to defend their rights.
Initial reactions included the Luddites and the formation of Trade Unions.
Marxism
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels analyzed class society and capitalist production, arguing it exploited the working class.
Anarchism
Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and Mikhail Bakunin opposed all forms of government, advocating for individual freedom, the abolition of authority, and the elimination of private ownership of the means of production.
In the 1860s, labor leaders from various European countries recognized the shared problems of the proletariat and united to fight for their rights.