The Economic Causes Of Industrialization

Great Britain was the first country to really experience industrialization. A combination of the small country, agricultural improvements, large population growth, increases in national wealth, and access to cheap materials and mineral resources allowed the Industrial Revolution to grow in Britain. Because Britain was such a small area of land, the transport of goods and materials was cheap through roads, rivers, and canals. Agricultural improvements resulted in an increase in the production of food which allowed people more disposable income in which they could purchase manufactured goods. Large population growth supplied abundances of laborers who could be employed in factories. Access to cheap materials from Asia and the Americas and mineral resources increased national wealth which allowed industrialization to continue.

Most people regard industrialization as a positive development capable of generating great wealth and revitalizing run-down areas. Mention industrialization today, and it brings to mind large factories organized with the latest technologies in mass producing. Along with these visions comes the promise of more jobs for the community, higher rates of pay, and financial stability. One can only think of the positive influences on a community that the opening of a new factory could bring, but during what some have deemed the Industrial Revolution, industrialization only meant using machines and new power sources to accomplish a task formerly done by human and animal power. Our modern day conception of industrialization can greatly influence our

The Industrial Revolution was a revolution in every sense of the word, as it altered almost every aspect of live in the nineteenth century including technology, government, communication, environment and eventually society as a whole.1 Although industrialisation created many positives for modern society, for people in Britain up to the end of the nineteenth century it had many significantly negative consequences. With the long term advances made for society came the then current development of overcrowding cities abundant with pollution, health problems and poor living conditions for the working class. These poor conditions continued into the work place with young children exploited as workers as young as the age of four or five.2 There were consequences of the Industrial Revolution for people outside of the core of Britain. India, being the periphery in the model were exploited for their raw materials which were exported to Britain.

During 19th century Europe the Industrial Revolution was rapidly spreading through many prominent European nations, such as France, Germany and Spain. The Industrial Revolution was the name given to the period of time, around the 1800s, when many of Europe’s economies switched from agricultural economies to industrial ones. This Revolution spurred on a new age of European Imperialism, European nations set about conquering, claiming and colonising chunks of Africa. The new economic motives, technological advancements and desire for power created by the Industrial Revolution were the greatest motives behind European Imperialism in Africa.

The many influential events that occurred between between 1750 and 1900 have undoubtedly impacted the modern world. Some of the most significant events include revolutions and reform in the Atlantic world, Industrialization and Global Integration, and Imperialism over colonies. Deciding which one of these processes or events has affected the modern era is not a simple decision due to the fact that all of the previously mentioned events have played crucial roles in developing and creating the modern world. For example, revolutions gave birth to modern nations such as France, the United States and Haiti. Industrialization kick-started the growth of countless industries including textiles, agriculture and rail.

These conditions were found in the most backward territories, without technical and weaker means from other continents, especially from Asia and Africa. We must bear in mind that the crisis of 1873 caused the industrialized countries to develop protectionist policies, so it became indispensable to look for these new markets, more raw materials and places to invest and find profitability. Currently, this classical economic theory is being qualified in relation to imperialism. There are studies that consider that most of the foreign investments of the developed countries were not directed towards the new territories but towards other industrialized countries or in process of being it, like the United States. Moreover, always according to this new theory, most of the foreign trade, both industrial and agricultural products, continued to be among the industrialized countries. Finally, the economic profitability of some empires, like the British, the principal of them all, is in doubt. It would have been proven how the costs to maintain it - administration, army, etc. - did not justify the benefits obtained. In addition, imperialism did not benefit the entire population or all British economic sectors equally. The main beneficiaries were the economic sectors that invested in colonial companies while their contribution to the

Industrialization was a time period where the United States experienced prosperity and many advancements in technology. Nevertheless, while many beneficial events came from this time period, there were also numerous negative outcomes. This can be seen three decades after The Civil War, where the idea that anyone could rise upwards in society with the use of hard work, thriftiness, and a bit of luck, became widespread among American citizens. However, this idea was only proven correct in individual cases, as the majority of the working class remained in the same financial position despite their strong work ethic.

The Industrial Revolution is a technological phenomenon that still continues to this day, in the form of its fourth to fifth wave. Ever since the late 1700s, our society has evolved over nearly two and a half centuries, for better or for worse. However, most of the negatives then have disappeared into obscurity and the positives have only grown more and more. So while some might argue that Industrialization had primarily negative consequences for society because of child workers and the poor conditions, it was actually a good thing for society. Industrialization’s positive effects were the availability of goods, the advancements in technology and the new job market.

Europe was one of the first places to industrialized because of the boom in population, and agricultural changes. It was not easy to start off with, everyone was not in agreeance with this new idea. “The idea of organizing states around national communities eventually influenced political development throughout the world. While organizing themselves into national states, western European and North American peoples also embarked on processes of industrialization. Although industrialization initially caused a great deal of discomfort and dislocation for workers.” The enclosure movement that took place in 1750 was a big reason as well. As Western Europe and North America would use both industrialization and imperialism to dominate. “They also inspired sustained resistance among colonized peoples, which eventually led to the organization of anti-

62. The main cause of the war was that the US wanted free and open trade with both Great Britain and France but they war at war. France did not want America trading with Britain and Britain did not want America trading with France. Another was the impressments of American sailors into the British navy and involvement with Native American unrest on the US frontier. This war was important because in it American showed willingness to defend its interest by using war and military and it gave the young nation respect from European powers.

From 1800-1914 there existed a period of enormous European imperial acquisition that gobbled up entire continents and brought millions of people under Western rule. Much of this mad dash for territory stemmed from the Industrial Revolution and the formation of several new countries, such as Italy, Germany, and Belgium. During the period of rapid industrialization that preceded the second wave of European imperialism, technology and manufacturing processes developed at an extraordinary rate. Although this at first brought profit to countries all on its own, soon the economy had grown too big for the Western resources and market. In order to buoy their capitalist societies, countries like Britain immediately sought out lands that would provide novel resources and markets. With vast amounts of territory came vast amounts of wealth: tea and spices from the Pacific Islands, cocoa and palm oil from West Africa, and gold, diamonds, and other precious metals from South Africa. Using these new goods, Britain adopted mercantilism and continued to profit further off of its colonies. For example, by 1840 Britain was exporting 60% of the cotton

The industrialized world of today can largely be attributed to the efforts of the United States and Great Britain. Inventions such as the light bulb and the assembly line proved to be instrumental in helping these nations develop into the economic super powers they are today. War also motivated these nations to expedite their efforts to grow and production of goods needed for war vastly improved employment opportunities. The civil war reconstruction era kick started United States' industrialization and World War 1 did so for both the United States and European nations. What these nations had in common was the ability to capitalize in the genius of the collective minds of a few individuals. Industrialization began in the late 1800s and throughout the early 1900s factories in the United States and Europe rolled products off the assembly line that would change the world such as

In the 1700’s, before the Industrial revolution, production was limited to how much a certain person wanted to work in a single day and by the tools that they had access to in their homes. After the revolution factories ruled the manufacturing market while ideas and inventions spread throughout the country. While many other countries are thought to be a perfect place for something like the industrial revolution to begin, Great Britain was the first place where it established itself. Britain was the first country to industrialize because of Britain's good inclusive institutions and inventions like the steam engine.

The Industrial Revolution could possibly be the most important event in the history of our world. Before it, people worked mostly on farms or sold things through the market that were hand crafted. This revolution brought about great change in the ways that we produce goods and the economies of the world. While some might argue that Industrialization had primarily negative consequences for society because of the rough working and living conditions, it was actually a positive thing for society. Industrialization’s positive effects were an increased standard of living, better means of travel, and more developed countries with better economies.

The industrial revolution began in the 1700s and was the time when Europe and America became urbanised and industrial. Many people living in the countryside moved to the towns and cities where they could find more available jobs due to the development of machinery in the industries. These industries continued to expand due to the mass production of energy sources and raw materials. This increased the production of resources such as cotton and created a new era filled with technology. People who lived in the countryside and could not find jobs or afford food, moved to the urban areas where they were able to live comfortably and provide for their families. However, as rapid urbanisation occurred and the population in Britain increased dramatically, newcomers found that the available jobs gave little pay, therefore everyone in the family had to work hard. The government then decided to make child labour a compulsory system in all towns.