The Industrial Revolution

"The Industrial Revolution is the name historians have given to the period in history when there was a large and rapid change in the way things were made. This meant that instead of things being hand made in small workshops, they were made more cheaply in large quantities by machines in factories.

Many people began to move from an agricultural based life in the country to the towns where the factories offered more and better paid work."

- Wikipedia (Simple English)

The Industrial Revolution first occurred in England during the 1700's. Because of advancements in agricultural techniques, the English were able to produce an abundance of food. The additional food reserves allowed workers to spend time producing goods that were not survival necessities. Inventors found new techniques to produce fancier clothing and other goods at a quickened pace. As a result, a large industry grew to make textiles and cloth. Soon factories sprang up across England. Industrialization was taking root in England, which soon resulted in the accumulation of vast amounts of power and wealth. Industrialization caused nations to seek out new territories to fuel their factories with raw materials, thus giving rise to the Age of Imperialism.

The Agricultural Revolution in England during the 1700's produced vast amounts of additional food. By using enclosures, the English were able to divide lands to more effectively control crop growth. In addition, the English had several inventions which helped further the advancement of agricultural techniques. For example, the seed drill, invented by Jethro Tull, allowed farmers to plant seeds at an increased rate. Other inventions, such as the cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney, soon followed. The consequence for these improved agricultural techniques was the production of massive amounts of additional food stores. The average Englishman no longer needed to spend time acquiring food for survival. People were becoming free to pursue other activities with their time.

With a growing labor force, England's citizens began to move to the cities or urbanized areas for work in factories. Wages in the factories were enough so that workers could purchase their food, clothing, and shelter. Cities and factories grew at an astonishing rate. Soon smoke stacks, large shipping vessels, and big business became the routine in England.

What made England the first to industrialize? England had several factors which allowed it to take the lead in industrialization. First, England had an abundance of raw materials at home i.e. coal and timber. The English could use the coal as fuel and the timber as building material. Second, the English developed cultural and 

financial systems that promoted economic and industrial growth. Banking systems and a solid supply of recognized currency allowed for the fair valued trade which was lacking in other parts of the world. Finally, England had a natural transportation advantage. Multiple navigable rivers allowed the English to transport goods long distances by shipping. Trains were not invented yet, so shipping was the only method available for moving large quantities of goods to market.

Industrialization soon spread across Western Europe and to North America. These nations began to compete internationally for raw materials. Latin America, Asia, and Africa all became hunting grounds for the large and powerful industrialized nations. This era is called the Age of Imperialism or Colonization. Although the industrialized nations found success during this era, the colonized regions were typically mistreated and found little profit or benefit from the colonial arrangement.