Industrial Revolution

19.
6.4. The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was a qualitative and quantitative change in industry. Handicrafts were
replaced by mass production in factories. It is characterised by continuous innovation. It started in the
mid-1700s. It had four major periods. First, the Classical Industrial Revolution started in the mid-18th
century and ended in 1850 when machines were produced with machines (e.g.: a locomotive was
made with the help of drills and turning machines). The period was characterised by free capitalism.
The end of the first phase is considered as the end of industrial revolution by Historians. Nevertheless,
innovations continued. The Second Industrial Revolution lasted between the mid-19th century and
1945. Free capitalism was replaced by Monopoly capitalism. The third phase of innovations started in
1945 when the first nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. The period is remembered from the use
of nuclear energy, the space race, TVs and the appearance of the first PCs in 1980. The last phase
started in the 1980s and it is still going on. The period is known as the revolution of communication:
Walkman, Discman, Nokia, Google, Apple, Facebook just to mention a few.
Changes started in Great Britain where the conditions were the most appropriate.
a) The geographic and the economic conditions were favourable. It was the centre of world economy.
Colonisation and the original accumulation of capital occurred here first. The banking system was the
most developed (Bank of England, 1694). Raw materials were cheap due to the import from the
colonies. Energy was available in the form of water-power and coal. Iron (for machines, tools and
vehicles) was abundant.
b) The country was characterised by political stability as well. Feudalism did not hinder economic
progress. Liberal constitutional movements meant a basis to an economy, free from government
regulations. No wars had been fought on British soil. Merchants and entrepreneurs had a significant
influence in the parliament. Laws encouraged investments.
c) Demographic factors were also favourable. A rapid growth of population could be observed. Labour
force in factories were cheap and they also meant a market for goods.
Changes started in agricultural. The innovation there was significant. Crop rotation replaced the
’three-field system’. In one year, crop was sown which wore out the soil. The next year fodder plants
(turnip, clover, lucerne) were planted to restore soil. Livestock raising improved. Sheltered livestock
breeding meant that only “the best” animals were allowed to breed.
Inventions first revolutionised textile industry because the demand in this part of the industry
exceeded supplies: it was worth mechanising mass-production. Also, there were plenty of raw wool.
Spinning and weaving had to be speeded up: John Kay’s Flying Shuttle, Hargreaves’ Spinning Jenny
and Arkwright’ Water Frame served this purpose. It was the power of water which these innovations
utilized. However, in the second half of the 18th century steam became the new source of energy.
Compiled by Botár András @ PSG 2018

Steam engines appeared first in mining to remove water from mines. In 1769, James Watt perfected
the steam engine which made a very significant difference not only in mass production but also in all
parts of economic production. First, in textile industry steam engine replaced water. Later it was also
used in the production of machinery, which could be mechanised. Then steam engines became the
ultimate sources of energy until discovering electricity.
Revolution of transportation - The growing population and production demanded the
modernisation of the infrastructure. Before the appearance of steam boats and locomotives networks
of canals were built to connect mines to factories and factories to the markets. Then, John Macadam’s
idea (the “macadam surface”) improved roads. In 1807 Robert Fulton built the first steamboat. The
first railway was built and in 1825, George Stephenson constructed the “Rocket”, the first locomotive
that could do 24mph. Investments in railway building were significant. Railway building became a
predominant sector of economy providing jobs for thousands and involving most parts of the heavy
industry.
Development of Railways had far-reaching effects. The fast and cheap way of transportation
encouraged further industrial growth. The ability to transport goods further boosted agriculture. It
provided jobs for railway builders. It encouraged people to travel. Space narrowed, the time spent on
travelling decreased significantly.
The Demographic boom meant that the population in England grew rapidly just before and during
the Industrial Revolution. This can be put down to several factors. Birth rate kept growing and at the
same time death rate decreased for several reasons. For example, living conditions (food supply,
housing situation) improved and so did the hygienic conditions. Medical science also developed
(vaccination). Within a few generations birth rate started to drop. The improvement of conditions and
the decreasing rate of child mortality made it possible for a family to have only three children and still
ensure the survival of the family. Migration was also a key phenomenon in the period. The direction
was diverse. In the county people lost their living. They migrated to industrial cities where there was
plenty of job opportunities. At the same time, transmigration was high. Hundreds of thousands
migrated to the U.S.A. in the search of a better life.
Urbanisation - Within a few decades, the population of cities grew enormously. Urbanisation meant
the restructuring of towns and cities as a result of the influx of hundreds of people. The vast population
had to be supplied, their transportation had to be managed, the hygienic conditions had to be
improved. Thus, new city-functions appeared, and parts of the city were designated to fulfil these
functions (commercial quarters, industrial quarters etc.). The city-dwelling people were segregated.
The poor lived in housing estates while the members of the middle class lived in the suburbs. The very
rich lived in mansions in the villa areas.
Compiled by Botár András @ PSG 2018

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19.

6.4. The Industrial Revolution

Compiled by Botár András @ PSG 2018

Compiled by Botár András @ PSG 2018

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