Rise of Great Britain: From Utrecht to Industrial Revolution
The Rise of Great Britain
From Bourbon Reforms to Industrial Revolution
Mariano Moreno and the Seeds of Independence
In 1792, Mariano Moreno joined the French revolutionary army. Years later, he formed the American Grand Lodge, driven by ideals of independence and a vision of a unified American state led by an Inca descendant. A key figure in Venezuela’s independence movement, Moreno tragically died in prison in Cadiz, dedicating his life to the revolutionary cause.
Moreno, a law graduate from Chuquisaca, practiced law in Buenos Aires and advised the council. He championed free trade, spearheaded the creation of the Public Library, founded The Gazette, and published the first Spanish translation of Rousseau’s Social Contract. He died in 1811.
The Bourbon Reforms and the Shift in Power
Spain, ruled by Habsburg monarchs for centuries, saw a change in dynasty in 1700 with the death of Charles II. Philip V, a Bourbon, ascended the throne, triggering the War of Succession with Austria. This decade-long conflict involved international players like Portugal, wary of French influence in Spanish territories. The Peace of Utrecht concluded the war, granting England lucrative trade concessions, including the right to trade slaves and a ship with 500 tons of merchandise annually. This opened the Spanish trade doors, previously closed to England, and gradually introduced British goods and Enlightenment ideals into the American colonies, influencing the native commercial bourgeoisie.
European Economic Transformation (12th-18th Centuries)
Western Europe experienced an agricultural and commercial resurgence during the 12th and 13th centuries. The 14th-century crisis weakened feudal lords, allowing the emergence of small-scale farmers and wage laborers. New ideals of work and money as paths to power gained traction.
The Expansion of Commercial and Financial Capitalism
Monarchs, needing resources, relied on bankers to finance bureaucracy, armies, and wars. The Fugger family epitomized the rise of modern commercial and financial capitalism. Banks utilized paper money and bills of exchange—commercial documents ordering payment of a sum of money on a specific date. Early overseas expansion saw capitalists contribute to crew hiring and freight, sharing profits upon completion. These ventures fueled modern colonial capitalism.
Factors Contributing to Britain’s Economic Growth
- A large domestic market fueled by population growth
- Improved roads and low transportation costs
- Absence of internal customs and feudal burdens
- Development of affordable consumer goods for all social classes
To dominate markets, Britain implemented protectionist measures, conquered territories, and established colonies. The Anglo-Dutch Wars secured significant commercial and colonial advantages. The Treaty of Utrecht granted Britain maritime and commercial hegemony, reducing French competition and awarding them the sugar-producing island of Saint Kitts. The Treaty of Paris further solidified British power by granting them colonial possessions in Canada and India.
The Navigation Act and British Maritime Dominance
The Navigation Act of 1651, crucial for the nascent Industrial Revolution, privileged British ships in overseas trade, bolstering the British fleet and weakening the Dutch, leading to the Anglo-Dutch Wars.
The Enclosures and Agricultural Transformation
England’s growing population and urban centers led to rising grain prices. The Enclosure Acts allowed landowners to fence and consolidate scattered plots, enclosing common lands. This system, incorporating Dutch agricultural innovations, aimed to transform England into a major grain producer for domestic consumption and export. The enclosures displaced smallholders and landless peasants, forcing them to sell their land or become laborers or tenants. Many migrated to cities.
Mechanization and the Cotton Industry
The cotton industry rapidly mechanized its production processes. Initially focused on domestic consumption, it ranked second to wool production. The ban on calico imports boosted the cotton industry, which benefited from low capital investment requirements, adaptability to mechanization, abundant raw materials, and a broad market.