Why Great Britain Started the Industrial Revolution

Why Great Britain Started the Industrial Revolution

1. Natural Resources

2. Labour

   • Enclosure movement
   • Population growth on the base of 18th century population explosion
   • Better forms of transportation (such as the railway) allowed people to migrate to cities...by 1850, one-half of the population of England and Wales and one-quarter

3. Capital

   • The I.R. grew on inself
   • Money made in early industries (textile, iron-making, etc.) was reinvested

4. Markets

   • US and Canada demanded British products
   • The end of the F.Revolution and wars of Napoleon opened the continent up to British products
   • The Latin American wars of independence opened the markets of Central and South America
   • Through its control of India, Britain commanded the markets of Southern Asia

5. Transportation

   • Canals
   • Railways: 1830s and 1840s were the great age of railway building

6. Entrepreneurship

   • Strong middle class
   • Liberal nobles who were willing to invest in new ventures

7. Government Support

   • Strong navy
   • Commercially minded Parliament
   • Few laws to limit what entrepreneurs could do