INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
CAUSES OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
The Agricultural Revolution
Between 1750 and 1850 Britain had an advantage over other nations in terms of developing
an industrial foundation. Her agricultural system had the capacity to feed a growing
population and an ever increasing urban population who did not have the ability to produce
their own food. The general good health of this population and its willingness to become
mobile was essential to development.
The countries banking system and currency were stable. Capital was readily available and
the wealthy had a willingness to invest in new commercial ventures. The increasing
population also translated to an increase in the people who would consume the
manufactured goods.
Britain had a huge supply of coal resources which was supplemented by the Empire that
provided other raw materials such as cotton, tobacco, rubber and timber. The Empire also
created a further market for the manufactured goods.
Excellent ports, good navigable rivers, and a good canal network helped to transport these
goods. Politically Britain was stable and this stability is playing a part in the development of
industrial Britain. The aristocracy and parliament encouraged and supported the industrial
ventures.
DEVELOPMENTS IN AGRICULTURE
Britain under went significant changes in the period 1750 and these changes contributed to
the process of industrialization in the country. Three key issues must be stressed:
There was sufficient food to feed the population
Agricultural output increased substaniatially and diet improved significantly, reducing infant
mortality rates.
Britain was also able to feed her ever growing urban population which did not produce its
own food and an ever growing population at the same time.
Agricultural output increased due to the new techniques which were introduced. These new
developments led to a gradual change in the attitude of the people towards agriculture.
People began to see agriculture more as a money making venture than a way and means of
providing food for their families.
WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 1 HISTORY DEPARTMENT 2021
,From 1750 there came about a rapid changes and a growth of entrepreneurial attitude
towards agriculture. Several factors played a part in increasing the quality and quantity of
agricultural output, the major ones being:
Enclosure movement
Improved soil fertility
Crop rotation
Selective livestock breeding
Better cereal cultivation
The spread of scientific knowledge about farming
The enclosure movement and the growth of large farm units.
The enclosure movement broke up the traditional farming units that had belonged to a
small community, and merged them into a larger unit owned by a single individual. The
traditional agricultural unit in much of southern and central England was known as the
'open field' system. Families cultivated small strips of land in various parts of the village and
also had the right to let their animals feed on common land. In order to prevent soil
exhaustion, up to 35% of the cultivated land was left fallow each year. The aim of this type
of cultivation was to produce sufficient food to feed a family. The 'fallow' system was
wasteful, however, with potentially productive land unused each year. Livestock shared the
same grazing land, which made it difficult to breed quality animals. Overall, it was not a
productive method of farming.
The original peasant farmers lost their various rights to use common land for their animals,
and the fields were hedged and ditched. Members of parliament were all landowners, they
were usually sympathetic to such requests, and pushed them through. Enclosure enabled
these larger units to be farmed more efficiently and productively, increasing the amount of
food being produced and meaning that better-quality animals could be reared.
Improved soil fertility
Farmers made greater use of fertilisers, such as lime, and crops which increased nitrogen
levels in the soil. With more animals being bred and crops developed that enabled them to
be fed over the winter rather than being slaughtered, more manure was available to
prevent soil exhaustion. Greater profits meant that land previously considered unproductive
and unprofitable could be brought into use with just a little investment in fertiliser and
drainage improvements.
WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 2 HISTORY DEPARTMENT 2021
,Crop rotation
Traditionally, on the open-field system, some areas of farmland were left fallow every third
or fourth year in order to prevent soil exhaustion. This was replaced by a system whereby
land would be planted with wheat, barley, clover and turnips in a four-year cycle. Clover
put nutrients back into the soil and turnips provided good animal feed. This meant that
significantly more land could be used productively every year.
Selective livestock breeding
Enclosing land and putting up fences and hedges meant farmers could ensure that animals
were bred selectively. The breeds of cattle which were best for milk or meat, for example,
could be encouraged, and isolating animals in separate fields reduced the risk of spreading
animal diseases.
Better cereal cultivation
Growing the right crops on the right soil, preventing soil exhaustion, using fertilisers and
manure effectively, and a greater awareness of the different types of seed all resulted in an
increase in output per acre. With more land under Cultivation food crops such as wheat
increased in output. It was quite fashionable for the leaders of British society to be Involved
in developing their lands efficiently, as well as making money out of them.
Links between agriculture and industry
So, many factors in the process of industrialisation are interconnected. More food enabled a
growing urban population to be fed and producing this food was also more profitable for
farmers. These profits created a demand for manufactured goods and produced capital for
investment in new forms of transport and manufacturing. More efficient transport enabled
fresh food like vegetables to be transported quickly to cities, helping to improve diets, which
led to more babies living and, therefore, more demand and greater profits for farmers.
Development of capitalism: investment, trade and commerce
There was already a healthy economic and commercial structure and a reliable currency
when the period of rapid industrial growth started in Britain. There was a central bank, the
Bank of England, which had been set up in 1694. Governments took care to manage the
economy sensibly and, as far as possible, government expenditure matched its income.
Investment
Britain had an established system of country banks and respected local money lenders. They
were able to lend money at low interest rates to people who wanted to start a business.
Many aristocrats developed large coal mines on their own land. The profits from those
mines were then invested in improvements in transport, such as roads and canals, which
helped to lower prices but increase profits.
WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 3 HISTORY DEPARTMENT 2021
, Overseas trade
Foreign trade was an important feature of the British economy in the decades before 1750.
Those who wished to sell goods abroad found there was a well-established system to assist
them. The Royal Navy was the most powerful in the western world at the time and saw as
one of its principal functions - after defending the country protecting and advancing British
trading interests overseas. T
he government and influential parliament at the time were determined to protect and
develop British trade. The government raised much of the income it needed to run the
country through taxes on imports and exports, but was willing to adjust, or even end, such
taxes if they were felt to damage trade in any way.
Britain had developed a large merchant navy in the course of the 18th century, capable of
carrying finished goods all over the world. Britain was overtaking the Dutch as the carriers of
Europe. Aristocrats and members of parliament were directors or shareholders in the two
great overseas trading companies: the West India Company, which traded in the Caribbean.
and the more famous East India Company, which traded with, and eventually owned, large
parts of India.
Britain fought four wars with other European powers between 1739 and 1783, primarily to
advance its commercial interests and acquire new colonies. New colonies meant more
markets for British goods, which in turn meant increased profits for British companies, their
owners and investors.
The country's rivers leading to major ports, such as Bristol and Liverpool, were developed as
far as possible to make it easy to import and export goods. There was huge investment in
the ports themselves to make them more efficient.
Groups of British merchants placed agents, known as 'factors', in major ports throughout
the world, from China to South America. These men were responsible for importing goods
to Britain but, above all, for developing markets for British goods overseas. Not only could
the factors sell every item of woollen cloth and cotton that they could import, but demand
around the world was rising for British manufactured goods such as those made from
pottery, glass and metal.
Manufacturers in Britain knew that they could sell abroad almost anything they could make
and that the means were there to ensure the goods arrived and their profits returned.
WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 4 HISTORY DEPARTMENT 2021
CAUSES OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
The Agricultural Revolution
Between 1750 and 1850 Britain had an advantage over other nations in terms of developing
an industrial foundation. Her agricultural system had the capacity to feed a growing
population and an ever increasing urban population who did not have the ability to produce
their own food. The general good health of this population and its willingness to become
mobile was essential to development.
The countries banking system and currency were stable. Capital was readily available and
the wealthy had a willingness to invest in new commercial ventures. The increasing
population also translated to an increase in the people who would consume the
manufactured goods.
Britain had a huge supply of coal resources which was supplemented by the Empire that
provided other raw materials such as cotton, tobacco, rubber and timber. The Empire also
created a further market for the manufactured goods.
Excellent ports, good navigable rivers, and a good canal network helped to transport these
goods. Politically Britain was stable and this stability is playing a part in the development of
industrial Britain. The aristocracy and parliament encouraged and supported the industrial
ventures.
DEVELOPMENTS IN AGRICULTURE
Britain under went significant changes in the period 1750 and these changes contributed to
the process of industrialization in the country. Three key issues must be stressed:
There was sufficient food to feed the population
Agricultural output increased substaniatially and diet improved significantly, reducing infant
mortality rates.
Britain was also able to feed her ever growing urban population which did not produce its
own food and an ever growing population at the same time.
Agricultural output increased due to the new techniques which were introduced. These new
developments led to a gradual change in the attitude of the people towards agriculture.
People began to see agriculture more as a money making venture than a way and means of
providing food for their families.
WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 1 HISTORY DEPARTMENT 2021
,From 1750 there came about a rapid changes and a growth of entrepreneurial attitude
towards agriculture. Several factors played a part in increasing the quality and quantity of
agricultural output, the major ones being:
Enclosure movement
Improved soil fertility
Crop rotation
Selective livestock breeding
Better cereal cultivation
The spread of scientific knowledge about farming
The enclosure movement and the growth of large farm units.
The enclosure movement broke up the traditional farming units that had belonged to a
small community, and merged them into a larger unit owned by a single individual. The
traditional agricultural unit in much of southern and central England was known as the
'open field' system. Families cultivated small strips of land in various parts of the village and
also had the right to let their animals feed on common land. In order to prevent soil
exhaustion, up to 35% of the cultivated land was left fallow each year. The aim of this type
of cultivation was to produce sufficient food to feed a family. The 'fallow' system was
wasteful, however, with potentially productive land unused each year. Livestock shared the
same grazing land, which made it difficult to breed quality animals. Overall, it was not a
productive method of farming.
The original peasant farmers lost their various rights to use common land for their animals,
and the fields were hedged and ditched. Members of parliament were all landowners, they
were usually sympathetic to such requests, and pushed them through. Enclosure enabled
these larger units to be farmed more efficiently and productively, increasing the amount of
food being produced and meaning that better-quality animals could be reared.
Improved soil fertility
Farmers made greater use of fertilisers, such as lime, and crops which increased nitrogen
levels in the soil. With more animals being bred and crops developed that enabled them to
be fed over the winter rather than being slaughtered, more manure was available to
prevent soil exhaustion. Greater profits meant that land previously considered unproductive
and unprofitable could be brought into use with just a little investment in fertiliser and
drainage improvements.
WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 2 HISTORY DEPARTMENT 2021
,Crop rotation
Traditionally, on the open-field system, some areas of farmland were left fallow every third
or fourth year in order to prevent soil exhaustion. This was replaced by a system whereby
land would be planted with wheat, barley, clover and turnips in a four-year cycle. Clover
put nutrients back into the soil and turnips provided good animal feed. This meant that
significantly more land could be used productively every year.
Selective livestock breeding
Enclosing land and putting up fences and hedges meant farmers could ensure that animals
were bred selectively. The breeds of cattle which were best for milk or meat, for example,
could be encouraged, and isolating animals in separate fields reduced the risk of spreading
animal diseases.
Better cereal cultivation
Growing the right crops on the right soil, preventing soil exhaustion, using fertilisers and
manure effectively, and a greater awareness of the different types of seed all resulted in an
increase in output per acre. With more land under Cultivation food crops such as wheat
increased in output. It was quite fashionable for the leaders of British society to be Involved
in developing their lands efficiently, as well as making money out of them.
Links between agriculture and industry
So, many factors in the process of industrialisation are interconnected. More food enabled a
growing urban population to be fed and producing this food was also more profitable for
farmers. These profits created a demand for manufactured goods and produced capital for
investment in new forms of transport and manufacturing. More efficient transport enabled
fresh food like vegetables to be transported quickly to cities, helping to improve diets, which
led to more babies living and, therefore, more demand and greater profits for farmers.
Development of capitalism: investment, trade and commerce
There was already a healthy economic and commercial structure and a reliable currency
when the period of rapid industrial growth started in Britain. There was a central bank, the
Bank of England, which had been set up in 1694. Governments took care to manage the
economy sensibly and, as far as possible, government expenditure matched its income.
Investment
Britain had an established system of country banks and respected local money lenders. They
were able to lend money at low interest rates to people who wanted to start a business.
Many aristocrats developed large coal mines on their own land. The profits from those
mines were then invested in improvements in transport, such as roads and canals, which
helped to lower prices but increase profits.
WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 3 HISTORY DEPARTMENT 2021
, Overseas trade
Foreign trade was an important feature of the British economy in the decades before 1750.
Those who wished to sell goods abroad found there was a well-established system to assist
them. The Royal Navy was the most powerful in the western world at the time and saw as
one of its principal functions - after defending the country protecting and advancing British
trading interests overseas. T
he government and influential parliament at the time were determined to protect and
develop British trade. The government raised much of the income it needed to run the
country through taxes on imports and exports, but was willing to adjust, or even end, such
taxes if they were felt to damage trade in any way.
Britain had developed a large merchant navy in the course of the 18th century, capable of
carrying finished goods all over the world. Britain was overtaking the Dutch as the carriers of
Europe. Aristocrats and members of parliament were directors or shareholders in the two
great overseas trading companies: the West India Company, which traded in the Caribbean.
and the more famous East India Company, which traded with, and eventually owned, large
parts of India.
Britain fought four wars with other European powers between 1739 and 1783, primarily to
advance its commercial interests and acquire new colonies. New colonies meant more
markets for British goods, which in turn meant increased profits for British companies, their
owners and investors.
The country's rivers leading to major ports, such as Bristol and Liverpool, were developed as
far as possible to make it easy to import and export goods. There was huge investment in
the ports themselves to make them more efficient.
Groups of British merchants placed agents, known as 'factors', in major ports throughout
the world, from China to South America. These men were responsible for importing goods
to Britain but, above all, for developing markets for British goods overseas. Not only could
the factors sell every item of woollen cloth and cotton that they could import, but demand
around the world was rising for British manufactured goods such as those made from
pottery, glass and metal.
Manufacturers in Britain knew that they could sell abroad almost anything they could make
and that the means were there to ensure the goods arrived and their profits returned.
WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 4 HISTORY DEPARTMENT 2021
