Factors Contributing to the Industrial Revolution - Essay Example

ECONOMIC HISTORY The Industrial Revolution A lot of literature is available on the Industrial Revolution which has resulted partly because of the disagreement among historians over methodology, ideology and semantics, though less in research findings and interpretations. Ever since the beginning of agriculture some eight to ten thousand years ago, the industrial revolution of the eighteenth century Europe was the most influential transformation of human culture. No one could have known that this revolution would have a deep impact not only on the soul and thoughts of individuals, but also on social structure, human labor and family structure. But the oldest disagreement among historians is how the ordinary people, especially the working class; were affected by this revolution. Some believe that the living standard of the common worker fell during the revolution, while others are of the view that it rose and everyone was better off. This essay will try to review the factors that contributed to the industrial revolution to be adopted first of all by England, rather than by any other European country. Though it is hard to pinpoint, but most historians agree that the Industrial Revolution basically originated in England with a series of social and technological innovations. Between 1760 and 1860, the progress in technology and education and an increasing capital stock, transformed England into the workshop of the world. This transformation came to be known as the Industrial Revolution, which gave rise to the income of not only its people; but as its effects spread, to the rest of the Western world as well. Historians also agree that this revolution was one of the most important historical events, making it possible for a rapid transition to the modern age, but disagree with the different aspects of this event. Causes of Occurrence in Europe A question that really interests economic historians is that why did the eighteenth century industrial revolution start in Europe rather than in any other part of the world, like France and China or India. Though numerous factors like ecology, government and culture have been suggested but some historian argue that as China and Europe were similar in the 1700s, the crucial difference which resulted in the Industrial Revolution in Europe were the sources of coal and other raw material near the manufacturing centers. This allowed Europe to economically expand in a way China could not. Some also credit the difference in the belief systems as Europe focuses on the individual, while the Chinese beliefs are centered round relationships between people. Similarly, India was spilt up into many kingdoms, each fighting for supremacy. Its economy was dependent on cotton and agriculture and technological innovations were completely non-existent. The palace treasuries with huge amount of wealth, was easily moved to Britain making it more convenient for England to use it as needed. England also had huge natural financial profits which it gained from its many overseas colonies. Moreover, the aristocracy in continental Europe believed that as compared to the common people, they were born with higher virtues and the pursuit of money was a characteristic of lower class. The capitalistic and mercantile in England as well as the whole of Europe was achieved by the middle or the non-aristocratic classes. 'Why was England First:' According to Crafts (1977) the comparative approach to the two problems posed by the Industrial Revolution are why the breakthrough took place in Western Europe, and within Europe, where and when did it occur. It provides valuable insight into the economical growth from the general perspective and a better understanding of England's economic growth from the aspect of the Industrial Revolution. Crouzet (1967) is also of the view that this comparative approach can be greatly helpful for those economic historians who are particularly interested in the key problem of growth. And by systematically comparing the eighteenth century English economy with France as the leading continental power of the time, can bring out more clearly which factors were peculiar to England's Industrial Revolution. Cottage Industry Before the first Industrial Revolution, the economy of England was based on its cottage industry, where people produced goods at their homes. Although there was good relationship between workers and bosses but the productivity was low, which resulted in higher costs. The longer it took the manufacturer to produce the goods, the higher went the prices. This resulted in extravagant prices, which could exclusively be afforded by the wealthy people. Around the 1730's, the demand for cotton had increased, but not the productivity. This crisis had to be solved to save England's economy and so the cloth weaving machine made its way into England, and nothing could stop it. This helped the country move from a household-family based economy to an industry-based economy. By the 1750's the Industrial Revolution had begun in England and initially, the inventions were strictly limited only to cotton weaving. This resulted in mass production and capitalism. The capitalists bought machines and hired workers who produced items such as shoes and clothes which were less expensive and easily affordable by the lower class and the less wealthy people. This brought about a great change in the living standard of the common people. Capitalism A new type of commercial entrepreneur developed from the old class of merchant adventurers, and capitalism appeared on a large scale. Although many machines were already known but only a few factories were using them. In the beginning of the eighteenth century, the wealthier population demanded goods of high quality. This could only be achieved with the help of machines because the cottage industry was unable to meet this demand. Moreover, the goods produced and prepared by hand took not only more time, but also turned out to be more expensive. The transition to a manufacturing, industrial economy needed more labor to do so. Keeping this in view, a person's productive labor needs to produce more than needed to keep life going. The surplus production is what gives the owner of manufacturers the higher profits. And this surplus economy is what makes the population growth not just possible, but desirable as well. Land Reforms The driving force behind the Industrial Revolution were the profound social changes, as Europe moved from primarily an agricultural and rural economy to a capitalistic and urban economy. During the eighteenth century, the Parliament passed series of laws according to which the lands that had been held in common by tenant farmers, to be enclosed into large private farms which made food production more efficient and less labor intensive. But the surplus population of peasants, who could no longer find work in agriculture; were forced to move into the cities and the newly developed factories. But unlike other European monarchies, the English Parliament was under the firm control of capitalists and merchant classes. As a result, the eighteenth century England saw numerous laws that favored the interests of these two classes. Political Stability Many scholars have also cited England as stable during the seventeenth and the eighteenth centuries in relation to democratic politics and economic growth. The political history of England shows two significant characteristics which gave stability to it during this period. These were economic growth and democratic politics. The first was achieved by establishing a stable and secure system of property rights for private citizens; which was a necessary condition for economic growth. The second important aspect was that the establishment of such rights depended on the creation of representative democracy. This further gives us an insight to the intimate connection between the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the Industrial Revolution of 1760; and thereafter. The Glorious Revolution replaced a corrupt and autocratic monarchy with a political system in which parliament, drawn from a limited franchise, controlled the monarch. This political system proved to be remarkably stable and many scholars have cited this period of seventeenth and eighteenth century England, as a proof of democratic politics and economic growth. Availability of Key Resources The availability of key resources is considered to be another theory which enabled England to succeed as it did. Compared to its small geographical size, and a large population, there was no shortage or work supply and labor force. Along with the thriving cotton industry the steel industry was also growing fast. This was due to the fact that England is geographically situated on huge quantities of coal, which burns not only more efficiently and better than wood, but is also cheaper. In addition to this, the natural resources such as copper, lead, iron, limestone, tin and water power available in the English Midlands, South Wales, North of England and Scottish Lowlands were excellent conditions for the development and expansion of industry. Trade Britain with its large merchant base and liberal trade policy as compared to other countries with stronger monarchies, like Russia and China, was able to produce and utilize the new and emerging scientific and technological developments more efficiently and effectively. It was also the only European nation which was not destroyed by economic collapse and financial plunder after the Napoleonic Wars. Moreover, in England as compared to other European states, there was no internal tariff or duty on commerce therefore, mercantilism greatly thrived there. To move goods around Europe was expensive because taxes and duties had to be paid every hundred miles or so. But moving goods around England was cheap which gave rise to higher profits. In addition to this, every time England fought a war in the eighteenth century, it acquired new territories overseas and was thus able to monopolize overseas trade. England had complete trade monopoly with the North American colonies and one half of all British exports went to America in the 1780's. Not only that, England also began to control most importantly, the Indian as well as the South American trade. Transport System Improved means of transport was another factor for the Industrial Revolution in England. This was a period when inventions were not just limited to the cotton industry. Steam engines were also invented which provided a faster mode of transportation instead of using carriages and horses. These engines helped cities move farther away from sources of water and rivers which gave rise to the establishment of new cities. The heavy goods were transported by coastal vessels by sea, while inland transport by roads and navigable rivers. With improved transport system and a network of roads, canals and railway, the raw material and the finished products could be moved not only quickly but cheaply from one place to another. Not only was this system favorable for business, but also for allowing new ideas to be shared and spread quickly within and outside England. Conclusion The face of nations has changed because of the Industrial Revolution by giving rise to urban centers which require vast municipal services and has created interdependent and specialized economic life. Though in the seventeenth and most of the eighteenth century, France kept pace with Britain but lagged behind in industrial development. It did not make much progress as England but after 1830, it developed steadily. In view of the magnitude of change that occurred during the seventeenth and eighteenth century is considered by some historians as a period of revolutionary economic change. But still there exist two views in relation to the British Industrial Revolution today. In the broader sense, the traditional description sees the Industrial Revolution as a change in the British economy and society, while the others view the Revolution as a result of technical changes only in a few industries. But, this was a period that marked the changes in the economic and social transition from a stable commercial and agricultural society to a modern industrial society, which relied on complex machinery rather than tools. It was also the time of greater economic specialization and the laboring population which was formerly employed in agriculture; started migrating to urban factory centers. The same thing happened at later times and a changed tempo in other countries when the European countries introduced the Industrial Revolution in Asia during the last end of the nineteenth, and the early twentieth century in India, China and Japan. ________________________________ Bibliography Clark, Gregory. The Political Foundation of Modern Economic Growth: England, 1540-1800. Journal of Interdisciplinary History, Vol. 26, No. 4 (Spring,1996) pp. 563-588 Crafts, N. F. R. Industrial Revolution in England and France: Some Thoughts on the Question, "Why was England First" The Economic History Review, New Series, Vol. 30, No. 3 (Aug., 1977) pp. 429-441 Crafts, N. F. R., Terence C. Mills. Endogenous Innovation, Trend Growth and the British Industrial Revolution: Reply to Greasley and Oxley. The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 57, No. 4 (Dec., 1997) pp. 950-956 Crouzet, F. England and France in the Eighteenth Century: A Comparative Analysis of Two Economic Growths, in R. M. Hartwell, ed. The Causes of the Industrial Revolution in England. (1967) p. 139 Temin, Peter. Two Views of the British Industrial Revolution. The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 57, No.1 (Mar., 1997) pp. 63-82 __________________________________________ Read More