Why Great Britian Started the Industrial Revolution

Why Great Britian Started the Industrial Revolution

1. Natural Resources

   • (Coal, iron, ore, etc.)

2. Labour

   • Enclosure Movement
   • Population continued to grow on the base of the 18th century population explosion
   • Better forms of transportation (such as the railway) allowed people to migrate to the cities... By 1850, one-half of the population of England and Whales amd one-quarter of the population of France and Germany had become town dwellers

3. Capital

   • Industrial Revolution grew on itself...
   • Money made in early industries (textile, iron-making, etc.) was reinvested

4. Markets

   • In the end of the French Revolution and the wars of Napoleon opened the continent up to British products
   • The Latin American wars of independence opened the markets of Central and South America
   • The United States and Canada demanded British Products
   • Through its control of India, Britain commanded the markets of southern Asih

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 to protect merchant ships
   • Commercially minded Parliament
   • Few laws to limit what entrepreneurs could do