Why Great Britain Started the Industrial Revolution

Natural Resources
Labour
1. Enclosure movement
2. Population growth on the base of 18th century population explosion
3. 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
Capital
1. The I.R. grew on inself
2. Money made in early industries (textile, iron-making, etc.) was reinvested
Markets
1. US and Canada demanded British products
2. The end of the F.Revolution and wars of Napoleon opened the continent up to British products
3. The Latin American wars of independence opened the markets of Central and South America
4. Through its control of India, Britain commanded the markets of Southern Asia
Transportation
1. Canals
2. Railways: 1830s and 1840s were the great age of railway building
Entrepreneurship
1. Strong middle class
2. Liberal nobles who were willing to invest in new ventures
Government Support
1. Strong navy
2. Commercially minded Parliament
3. Few laws to limit what entrepreneurs could do

Resource summary

	Created by jgoodridge almost 9 years ago