The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain

Content:
1. Short Introductory
2. Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution
3. Innovation and Industrialization
4. Transportation
5. Communication and Banking
6. Quality of life
7. Conclusion

1. Short Introductory
The industrial Revolution has shaped the societies we live in today. It brought changes
in technology, manufacturing, transport, agriculture and and in the social structures of
societies.
The Industrial Revolution is the name given to the period in the 18th and 19th
centuries when Britain was transformed from an agricultural nation into the manufacturing
workshop of the world. It was the result of the changes in economic and social organization
that began about 1760 in England and later in other countries.

2. Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution

Before the Industrial Revolution, most people were living in small, rural communities
where their daily life revolve around their farms. Life was difficult as disease for example
were common. People produced their own food, clothes, furniture and tools. Most
manufacturing was done in homes or in small shops, using hand tools or very simple
machines.
Britain had great deposits of coal and iron ore, which proved to be essential for
industrialization. This was one of the most important factors that made Britain as the
birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The factory system started to grow and merchants
needed more cost-effective methods of production.

3. Innovation and Industrialization

As I already mentioned above, before 18th century, textiles were made mainly in
people’s homes. But in the 1700s, the textile industry, in particular, was transformed by
industrialization: it is about mechanization and factories, a series of innovation that led to
ever-increasing productivity, while requiring less human energy.
The iron industry also playes an important role. An easiest method to produce cast iron
was discovered by Abraham Darby. Another engeneer, Henry Bessemer, developed the first
cheap process for mass-producing steel. Both iron and steel were essential materials, used to
make everything like tools, machines, ships, even buildings and roads.
Last, but not least, the steam engine was developed to power machinery, locomotives
and ships by Thomas Newcomen and James Watt.

4. Transportation
The transportation industry was transformed a lot during the Industrial Revolution.
Before this, raw materials and finished goods were distributed via horse-drawn wagons or by
boats. But later, the steam-power ships and steam locomotive were used. In the early 1800s,
the first railway steam locomotive was constructed by the British engineer Richard Trevithick.
In 1830, England’s Liverpool and Manchester Railway became the first to offer timetabled
passenger services. By 1850, Britain had more than 6000 miles of railroad track. Also, it was
developed a new process for road construction, known as macadam; this was more durable
and less muddy.

5. Communication and Banking

Maybe the most important invention regarding communication is the telegraph, and in
1866 a telegraph cable was successfully laid acros the Atlantic.
The rise of banks and industrial financiers is a consequence if the Industrial
Revolution. Also, a stock exchange was established in London in the 1770s.

6. Quality of life
The standards of living for middle and upper classes raised because of a greater
volume and variety of factory-produced goods. In the same time, life for the poor and working
classes continued to be difficult. Wages for those who labored in factories were low, working
conditions could be dangerous, unskilled workers had little job security. Also children were
part of the labor force.
Industrialization of course meant that some people were replaced by machines in
factories. A negative effect could be seen in the urban areas, resulting in overcrowded
housing, polluted living conditions. Conditions for Britain’s working class began to graually
improve by the later part of the 19th century.

7. Conclusion
The Industrial Revolution changed the face of Great Britain and, later, the face of the
whole world. There are a lot of improvements that conquested the world and that preceded
nowdays technology regarding factories, roads, trasportation, communication, banking, living,
and others. Of course , there were also bad effects, but no evolution ever happened without
pain.