Why did the industrial revolution start in England ?
Reasons for the first industrial revolution in England: -
Why did the industrial revolution start in England ?
Introduction: -
England's name is particularly associated with the expansion of industry. Between 1840 and 1820, weaving and metallurgy flourished, and Watt-built steam engines were invented. Although textile and iron or steel-making machinery flourished in the eighteenth century, it was not until the nineteenth century that factory improvements and mass production of industrial goods took place. Until the 1830's, the English were more involved in herding and trade. But since then the English have been involved with industrial production .
Despite the great potential in France, the first industrial revolution in England took place: -
A review of the history of Europe prior to the Industrial Revolution shows that France was stronger and more prosperous than England at that time. Like England, France had a colonial empire and France already had some industrial establishments. But the French Revolution almost destroyed the French industries, and this is why France could not reach the door of the Industrial Revolution before England. According to the historian L. C. A. Knowless, if French industries had not been destroyed by the French Revolution, France would have been the forerunner of the Industrial Revolution. (But for the utter destruction of industrial and commercial life after the French Revolution, one is tempted to think that France and not England might have been the pioneering country in the Industrial Revolution "-Knowless)!
1. Political Stability: -
The contemporary political stability of England was conducive to the Industrial Revolution. Although England was involved in a number of wars in the 18th century, these wars took place outside of England. As a result, the devastating effects of the war did not affect England. Also the navy of England was very strong; With which the fleets of other European countries cannot be compared. Due to the lack of political stability in France and Germany, there was no chance of an industrial revolution. On the other hand, as a result of Walpole's economic policy, the economic prosperity of England increased.
2. Social mobility: -
Along with political stability and economic prosperity, the social dynamics of England also contributed to the Industrial Revolution. In other European countries, social inertia was an obstacle to economic and industrial development. Slavery was still practiced in all countries except France. Due to the lack of individual freedom, there was no opportunity for industrial revolution in those countries.
3. Natural Opportunities - Benefits: -
According to many, some of the natural resources also contributed to the Industrial Revolution in England. Due to its special geographical location, England was able to improve its naval capabilities. Besides, the coast of England was full of ports and the rivers were navigable. Moreover, England had huge reserves of iron and coal. The historian Hobsbawm considered the cause of the industrial revolution in England to be a 'light analysis' of the causes of natural advantage. According to him, climate, geography, population or other external factors alone are not acceptable. According to him, these do not work automatically. They play an active role in specific economic, social and institutional structures. ("Climate factor, geography, the distribution of natural resources operate not on their own; but only within a given economic and institutional framework" Hobsbawm-Industry and Empire)!
4. Abundance of capital: -
The materials needed to expand the industry were first found in England,such as - capital, labor, industrial strategy, various materials, suitable markets for the sale of manufactured goods, etc. A lot of capital is required for construction of factories and machinery, employment of workers and purchase of raw materials. From the seventeenth century onwards there was a great deal of money in England through trade. A lot of money was accumulated in the hands of some merchants . This class of merchants invests in industry by setting up factories and purchasing machinery. As a result, the industry expanded. Moreover, the Bank of England helps a lot in raising capital. The Joint Stock Banks of England were legalized (1826 AD) when there was a need to invest in industries. Over the next few decades, many joint stock companies were formed to trade industry and business, and they began to invest in industries on very simple terms. At the same time it has to be admitted that the industrialists of England used to raise capital themselves. (“Much of England's industrial capital was self-generated” —Hayes --- Contemporary Europe Since 1870 – p. 4). As a result, it is very easy to expand the industry in England.
5. Cheap labor: -
The population of England has grown exponentially since the seventeenth century. In the eighteenth century many workers from Europe came to England in search of livelihood. Moreover, many farmers became unemployed when sheep farming started instead of agriculture. They came to the city in groups and were employed as factory workers. So there was no shortage of workers in England for the expansion of the factory.
6. Industrial Strategy and Industrial Materials: -
Industrial and mechanical manufacturing techniques developed in England in the late eighteenth century. In the nineteenth century, England became a pioneer in the field of techniques and machinery. The materials needed for the expansion and development of the industry (such as iron, coal, etc.) were plentiful in England. John K.'s Maku, Hargreaves' Spinning Jenny, Archright's Water Frame, Cartwright's Power Loom, etc., were invented before the eighteenth century, and their technology was introduced in factories - which directly contributed to the Industrial Revolution.
7. Expansion of Market and Sales Center: -
The English market expanded with the annexation of Scotland and Ireland to England in 1806 and 1800, respectively. The absence of a tariff wall between England, Scotland and Ireland led to an unprecedented increase in trade. Moreover, in the eighteenth century, English merchants established trading centers in North America, Africa, and parts of Asia. North America was the largest retailer of manufactured goods in England. There was also a great demand for English made machinery and cotton cloth in India. The United States was also a huge market for manufactured goods in England. After independence, the volume of American imports from England increased manifold. During the French Revolution and the Napoleonic period, the Spanish-occupied American colonies were a thriving market for British goods. Throughout the world, British trade was unrivaled in the nineteenth century, from Canton to Buenos Aires, from Cape Town to the North Cape.
8. Availability of raw material: -
England had the opportunity to procure raw materials for regular industry from its vast colonial empire. The other states in Europe did not have such vast colonial empires and they failed to procure the raw materials required for the industry. So the availability of the necessary raw materials accelerated the Industrial Revolution in England.
9. Increasing the importance of trade: -
By the seventeenth century, England had changed from an agricultural state to a trading state. As a result of trade with foreign countries the economy of England became very strong and they got the opportunity to invest huge amounts of money in industrial establishments.
10. Communication and Transportation: -
Surrounded by sea, England's naval power was the greatest in the world. British cargo ships could easily travel by sea to all countries of the world. The facilities for transporting goods within the country by canals and rivers from numerous ports located on the coast of the country were quite developed. Other European countries lagged far behind England in terms of communication.
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