Britain in the Industrial Revolution: Essential or Extraneous?

Britain in the Industrial Revolution: Essential or Extraneous?

Why eighteenth-century Britain? Among the several movements through the course of human civilization, the study of the Industrial Revolution has left the question of Britain’s influence in the process. Could the Revolution have proceeded without Britain? What changes would there be in history? Britain’s strategic position in trade and the economy, as well as its social distinctiveness in Europe, resulted in a situation where no other country could have initiated the movement at the same time. The country’s influence on the Revolution after its beginnings was instrumental in determining the course of events.

Through consulting the sources, Civilizations: The West and the Rest, by Niall Ferguson, The Industrial Revolution in Britain, by Don Nardo, and Sweat and Inspiration: Pioneers of the Industrial Age, by Martin Worth, it is evident that without Britain’s influence on the Industrial Revolution, the economic transformation would have been delayed and changed. Eighteenth-century Britain’s unique characteristics were instrumental in setting the nation as the birthplace of large-scale industry. Britain’s influence on leading the world to a revolution of technological and innovative transformations is evident through an examination of Britain’s unprecedented economic growth, the British cultural mentality, and production process innovations.

A significant cause for Britain’s development into the industrial centre of the world was its economic boom. Beginning in the mid-to late 1700s, the sudden economic progress was a prominent cause for the Industrial Revolution. The industrialization of Britain, and, eventually, the remainder of Europe, was spurred by the demand for textiles. “…The Industrial Revolution would not have begun in Britain and spread to the rest of the West without the simultaneous development of a dynamic consumer society, characterized by an almost indefinitely elastic demand for cheap clothes” (Ferguson 198), and the increasingly consumption-oriented mentality in society led to a surge in demand for clothing. Britain’s colonies and position in trade for textiles were unique in Europe, and strengthened the country’s influence in the Industrial Revolution. In order to meet consumer demand, increased productivity and efficiency was necessary, and this new proficiency led to sudden economic prosperity. “Between 1700 and 1750, British export trade in textiles doubled; by 1800 it had trebled, and, with two-thirds of the total generated by cotton goods, British manufactured exports amounted to 40% of national income— the largest percentage ever enjoyed by any nation before or since” (Worth 219). Britain’s ability to meet the demand for textiles was significant in the economic growth.

To further satisfy the demand, their large fleets of ships allowed Britain to reach a diversity of areas for a variety of products. British colonies also provided trade opportunities and increased competition (Nardo 11). This created a multitude of luxury goods— affordable due to the competition— that made Britain more appealing as a trading partner in Europe, further supporting Britain in its economic development. The pursuit of unending economic progress led to industrialization in order to continue the development of land, labour, and capital resources. Britain’s exclusive traits included success in trade, accessibility of textiles, and the monopoly of the water. These characteristics were vital to the rapid and monumental growth of the economy and the Industrial Revolution. They also allowed mass industrialization to proceed in the eighteenth-century and take its revolutionary course of action. Without the appeal of Britain’s economic growth, the Industrial Revolution would not have spread to the rest of Europe.

The spread and impact of the Industrial Revolution was also due, in large part, to the effect of the British cultural mentality in the society. With very few or even no slaves, work was considered necessary and expected (Nardo 11). People worked hard— not only for basic necessities— but also to be able to purchase new, luxurious goods from Britain’s overseas colonies. This created a population that were simultaneously workers and consumers, a trait distinctively British and reinforcing Britain’s influence in the Revolution (Ferguson 198). “The Industrial Revolution would not have begun in Britain and spread to the rest of the West without the simultaneous development of a dynamic consumer society, characterized by an almost infinitely elastic demand for cheap clothes” (Ferguson 198). Britain’s influence on the Industrial Revolution is evident through the consumerist cultural mentality that stimulated new sectors. The manufacturing and service sectors boomed, leading to an exodus of the British labour force from the agrarian sector to the manufacturing and service sectors, further driving the Industrial Revolution. The largest industrial towns, including Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, London, Sheffield, and Glasgow, experienced a sudden and rapid growth of population (Nardo 20). The surge in the labour force away from farming contributed largely to the growing influence of industrialized Britain.

To further industrialize Britain, inventors were given incentives to find efficient ways of producing luxury items. The British government established the patent system, making inventors feel that their ideas were more secure (Nardo 11). In this way, inventors pursued their ideas more vigorously. The demand for luxury items encouraged manufacturers to develop processes of manufacturing to produce goods in larger quantities and more cheaply. Without the patent, new processes would not have been developed, further demonstrating British impact on the Industrial Revolution. Moreover, unlike other European countries, Britain’s system of government gave the parliament a stronger influence. This provided businesspeople with the ability to easily influence the parliament to allow for the development of new enterprises (Nardo 11). The cultural characteristics within Britain included the work mentality, shift to urban life, and encouragement of innovation. This was not present in other European states and served as vital factors in influencing the course of the Industrial Revolution.

The Industrial Revolution was also the product of several innovations in production, because “in terms of supply… the Industrial Revolution was a hunt for efficiency” (Ferguson 200). Production innovations, including the spinning jenny, water frame, mule, steam-powered loom, and self-acting mule, allowed producers to meet the demand for thread and cloth, increasing the wealth of the population. This productivity allowed the price of textiles to decrease, such that “the unit price of British cotton manufactures declined by approximately 90 per cent between the mid-1790s and 1830” (Ferguson 200). The low price of British products made the country more prosperous as other countries imported the products. British innovations spurred on the economy and were essential to developments in the Industrial Revolution. Other production process innovations included the blast furnace, which improved the coke-smelting process for iron production. Iron production, as a result of the blast furnace, rose from 81 tons a year to 4632 tons in about 150 years (Ferguson 200).

The iron industry was also helped by Britain’s natural resources, which included coal and iron; both of which were essential to industry (Nardo 11). Britain’s abundant natural resources also helped during the industrialization process. The availability of materials allowed producers to manufacture cheaply, and therefore sell cheaper. This exemplifies the necessity of Britain’s influence in the Industrial Revolution. Britain alone was able to bring together cotton manufacturing, coal and iron technology, and the steam engine to advance the Industrial Revolution (Nardo 13). British innovation, coupled with their natural resources, allowed the country to thrive economically and grow in power. The Industrial Revolution would not have proceeded in the same way without Britain, because efficiency and low prices would have been lost. Production capabilities would have been decreased and the appeal of industrialization would be lowered. As a result, the Industrial Revolution would not have spread so rapidly and effectively through Europe.

Through examining Britain’s sudden economic prosperity, the dominant social attitude, and new production inventions, the necessity of British influence on the Industrial Revolution is apparent. Several factors, including trade opportunity and a consumerist mindset, contributed to Britain’s success as an industrial centre. The distinctive qualities of Britain, among other European nations, such as its government and policies, allowed for Britain to supersede other countries. Britain’s role in the Industrial Revolution was vital for the event to proceed at the same time, and in the same manner. Without Britain’s initiation, the transformation would not have occurred during the eighteenth-century, and without Britain’s influence, it would not have spread to the rest of Europe. Without Britain’s leadership in the Industrial Revolution, today’s society would be drastically changed.

Works Cited
Ferguson, Niall. Civilization: The West and the Rest. New York: Penguin, 2011. Print.
Nardo, Don. The Industrial Revolution in Britain. Detroit: Lucent, 2009. Print.
Worth, Martin. Sweat and Inspiration: Pioneers of the Industrial Age. N.p.: Sutton, 2001. Print.

Cited: Ferguson, Niall. Civilization: The West and the Rest. New York: Penguin, 2011. Print. Nardo, Don. The Industrial Revolution in Britain. Detroit: Lucent, 2009. Print. Worth, Martin. Sweat and Inspiration: Pioneers of the Industrial Age. N.p.: Sutton, 2001. Print.