The Industrial Revolution refers to the great transformation in science, technology and production after

1760, which took place first in _______. It is also called the “______________”. Why was Britain the
first country undergoing the Industrial Revolution?

A. Growth of Urban Population

The rural economy changed a lot after the collapse of the ______ system. Many landless and unemployed
peasants left the countryside for towns to look for jobs. As a result, the increasing population in towns
provided industries with abundant supply of _______.

B. Accumulation of Money Capital

The ___________ was also called the propertied class; they were landlords or entrepreneurs who earned
rents or profits without working physically, such as bankers, lawyers and merchants. Since the mode of
economy changed and nobles declined in the late Middle Ages, the bourgeoisie grew in importance. By
obtaining a variety of _____________ granted by the government, and setting up exclusive _______, they
earned much money. Then a bulk of money capital was accumulated and spent on further__________.
The bourgeoisie succeeded in enlarging the scale of production and earning more profits.

C. Enlargement of Markets and Increasing Demand

①. Since the late 15th century Western European countries like Britain had been expanding to Asia
and Africa. ________ provided European commodities with huge markets. However, the old
_________ handicraft industries failed to meet the rapidly increasing demand. Thus, there was an
urgent trend to substitute manpower and animals with ________ in production.
②. The domestic __________ of Britain increased rapidly since the 18th century, from 5 million in
1701 to over 16 million in 1801. It was a large market for commodities.

D. Increase of Production
The British economy underwent the following changes since the 17th century, which were all favourable
to the industrial production:
①. The __________ Movement;
②. The discovery of rich resources like _____ (over-timbering had led to the shortage of charcoal
since the 17th century);
③. _________ replaced homes in running handicraft industries.

E. Improvement of Technology and Invention of New Machines

European science made remarkable progress in the 17-18th centuries. New _________ were invented one
by one, providing mass industrial production with favourable circumstances.

F. Political Stability
①. Britain was far away from the European ___________, thus able to escape from the wars and
revolutions which were usually seen on the continent.
②. There was neither strong central government nor autocratic ruler in Britain since the _________
Revolution of 1688. Merchants enjoyed freedom to develop trade and industries.