The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain Presented by Andrea Guyton and Nicole Navarijo

Origins Began in Great Britain sometime after 1750 By 1850, Great Britain was the wealthiest country in the world Revolution spread to Europe and the New World Factors Contributing Agricultural Revolution – changes in methods of farming and stock breeding led to a significant increase in food production Feed more people at lower prices with less labor Rapid population growth provided a bounty of laborers for the new factors that emerged Rural workers also provided a potential labor force for industrial enterprise

Origins Continued Capital Supply of capital for investment in industrial machines and factories Central bank and credit facilities Paper instruments to facilitate capital transactions 110 cotton-spinning mills in Midlands between 1769 and established by hosiers, drapers, mercers, and others in the cottage textile industry Early Industrial Entrepreneurs “Fascinated by wealth and commerce, collectively and individually.” Political power rested in the hands of those who favored innovation in economic matters Financial hazards Fortunes were made and lost quickly Early firms structure was fluid Brought in friends and family (proprietorship) to help but easily abandoned them “As they could neither of them be of any further use, I released them from the firm and took the whole upon myself.” – John Marshall

Origins continued Mineral Resources Coal and iron ore (used in manufacturing process) Transported short distances Abundance of rivers 1750s and 1760s – new roads, bridges, and canals (By 1780 roads, rivers, and canals linked major industrial centers) No internal customs barriers to hinder domestic trade Government Parliament – provided a stable government and passing laws that protected private property Freedom for private enterprise – fewer restriction Markets 1660 and 1760 exports quadrupled Vast colonial empire Well-developed merchant marine Produced the articles most in demand abroad cheaply – machine- produced textiles fulfilled demand Domestic market Highest standard of living in Europe Rapidly growing population Demand and inability of the old system to fulfill led entrepreneurs to fin new methods of manufacturing that invention provide Initiated the Industrial Revolution

Technological Changes and New Forms of Industrial Organization: Cotton Industry The modern factory made its first appearance in the cotton textile industry during the s. Some advancements made during this time were the flying shuttle and power loom which both increased the speed of the process of weaving cloth and the spinning jenny and the mule which both increased the quantity yarn produced. These were powered by streams or rivers so the factories were limited as to where they could be built. With power looms came efficient organized processes for producing cotton textiles and job opportunities which resulted in urbanization as families moved to work in the new factories. The steam engine, invented by James watt in the 1760s, revolutionized the production of cotton and allowed factories to produce things other than cotton. It started as an engine that pumped water from mines faster than any previous engine. It could be driven and was powered by coal which allowed for a greater flexibility in where it could be located. It led to an increase in coal production The British sold cotton cloth everywhere and it was so cheap that the poor could now wear undergarments which had long been a luxury of the rich.

Iron Industry In the 18th century, new methods for producing iron were devised. They used coke (made by slowly burning coal) for smelting iron ore making "pig iron." In the 1780s, Henry Cort developed a process called puddling where coke burned away the impurities in pig iron making high quality and cheap "wrought iron." Wrought iron was the most widely used metal until 1860s when steel was introduced.

Transportation New roads, canals, and most importantly, railroads were built to find more efficient means of transporting goods and resources. Railways began in coal mines in Germany and Britain and were horse powered. The development of the steam engine transformed the railways and in 1804, Richard Trevithick pioneered the first steam- powered locomotive The first public railway line went 32 miles from Liverpool to Manchester and on it rode George Stephenson's Rocket. The railroads, which by 1850 covered much of Britain, contributed greatly to the growth of the coal industries. Middle-class investors invested their money in joint-stock companies to fund the building of new railways and there were many new job opportunities for laborers and peasants. Railways had a rippling effect. Cheap and fast transportation led to a reduced price in goods which allowed large markets to be created and then a demand for more factories and machines.

The Industrial Factory The factory was now the chief means of organizing labor for new machines. Workers were forced to work regular hours and in shifts to keep the machines producing at a steady pace. Factory owners created a system of timed-work discipline that would require employees to work regular, unvarying hours. Adult workers could be fined or dismissed for infractions to the factories rules.

Britain’s Great Exhibition of 1851 The world’s first industrial fair Housed at Kensington in London in the Crystal Palace Contained 100,000 exhibits Displayed products created by the Industrial Revolution 6 million people visited the fair in six months Symbol of British success

Prince Albert A sign that: “Man is approaching a more complete fulfillment of that great and sacred mission which he has to perform in this world…to conquer nature to his use.” British success was also linked to divine will: “In promoting [the progress of the human race], we are accomplishing the will of the great and blessed God.”

Success of Industrial Revolution Great Britain had become the world’s first industrial nation as well as its wealthiest “Workshop, banker, and trader of the world.” Produced one-half of the worlds coal and manufactured goods Cotton industry = all other European countries industries combined Production rate of goods was three times the rate in 1780 Material success