The Industrial Revolution

The mass production of consumer goods with the help of the newly invented machines is called the Industrial revolution. The very term a French socialist Balanqui first used Industrial Revolution in 1837. Arnod Toynbee, an English social reformer and Economist later adopted the term. When France was changing from the old regime to modernity, another important change took place silently in the economic life of England. This Industrial Revolution gives England her ability to ensure the strains of war and ultimately made her victorious in the war against Napoleon.

Causes of Industrial Revolution

• Congenial Atmosphere: The sprit of individual freedom developed in England earlier than the other of European countries. The British people enjoyed the freedom of speech and they expressed their views on all aspects of the administration. They also made some experiments in the industrial circle. They invented a method of production, which helped in the outbreak of the Industrial Revolution.

• Development of Trade: In the 18th century the scope of trade largely increased in England. The new trade routes to India and America were discovered. Spain and Portugal could not take advantage of discovery of he new routes. Thus the England people developed their trade by using those sea routes. The colonies supplied raw materials the extension of trade of England. The colonies supplied raw materials the extension of trade of England. The colonies supplied raw materials, which were successfully utilized by the energetic English manufacturers. The government did not impose any restrictions on the production. The new ways of production helped in the outbreak of Industrial Revolution.

• Availability of Coal and Iron: England was rich in coal and iron. These were necessary for the development of trade and industry. Thus the producers were able to manufacture various items at a very cheap rate. Mines of both coal and iron were abundant in the North-West England. Moreover the natural climate was conducive to the development of textile industry. Thus many industries developed in this area of England.

• Availability of Cheap Worker: The abolition of serfdom gave the people to choose their own professions. Prior to Industrial Revolution a great change was also noticed in agriculture. This was known as the Enclosure Movement. The rich people bought huge lands and enclosed those lands. These lands were converted into sheep farming. The system gave them more wool and mutton. Small numbers of laborers were employed in those enclosed farms. Surplus worker of the rural areas now migrated to the towns for earning their bread. As a result, labour becomes cheaper. They now found their livelihood in different factories.

• Increased Facilities of Ports: By nature, England was surrounded by sea. As a result, the government constructed a number of ports. The merchants and traders took full advantage of this situation. They imported raw materials and exported the manufactured goods to different countries and also to the British Colonies.

• New Inventions: the Scientists made new inventions. The invention of Fly Shuttle, Spinning Jenny, Power Loom and others brought a great change in method of production. Thus the background for the Industrial Revolution was prepared by these inventions.

The Age of Machines

• Textile: The impact of scientific inventions was first felt in the field of textile industry. The making of cloth had two processes, namely, spinning and weaving. In 1733 John Kay invented the “Flying Shuttle” though operated by hand, this machine increased he speed in weaving. In 1767 James Hargreaves invented the “Spinnin Genny” which enabled one person to make eight or ten threads at a time thus doing the work of eight or ten men. In 1769 Richard Arkwright invented a spinning frame called “Water Frame” which was run by water instead of hand or foot. In the mean time Samuel Crompton invented a machine “Sinning Mule” in 1779, which spun hundreds of threads at a time. Now it was felt that improvement should be made in weaving pattern otherwise in the output of threads could not been property utilized. In 1785 Edmund Cartwright, a clergyman, invented the“Power loom” which wave cloth quickly. This machine was operated by a big water wheel. Eil Whitney invented “Cotton Gin” which could separate the seeds from the cotton. A single machine now did which formerly required the worker of 100 to 200 men. Within a span of half a century the textile manufacturing companies were changed from hand – made industries. In the next step new methods of bleaching, dyeing and printing were discovered and colour full cloths were produced. The next revolutionary inventing was the“Sewing Machine” by Elias Howe. Thus the stitching problem was solved.

• Iron: Iron is indispensable for manufacturing machines. Previously iron ore was smelted by wood or charcoal fire. This process was very slow. In 1709 Abraham derby invented a new method of smelting iron with coke. Henry Cort invented a new process of rolling iron. Bersemer invented the method of making steel. The steel made the machines and tools stronger, better and more powerful. Extracting of iron ore from the mines was a very risky job for the miners. The discovery of an engine to pump water out of the mines and the “Safely Lamp” by Hamfrey Davy made the extraction easier and less dangerous. These two inventions brought a revolution in mining industry.

• Steam Engine: The new invented machines were too heavy to operate by human strength. There were some limitations of the use of air and water. This problem was solved by the invention of “Steam Engine” by James Watt. Waterpower was now replaced by steam power. The steam engine now became the center of modern factory system. TheGeorge Stephenson made practice use of this. As a result the transportation of goods from one place to another became easier. The transport system was also greatly improved by the introduction of Railway Locomotives.

Impact of Industrial Revolution

• Urbanization: Industrial Revolution greatly changed the life of the people in both the towns and the villages. Previously spinning, weaving and other industries had been carried on in homes or in small shops. Usually all the members of the family took part in it. It was truly a domestic system. But with the outbreak of Industrial Revolution, this system came to an end. The people now shifted to industrial towns for towns for employment. On the other hand, the Enclosure System compelled the small farmers to sell their smallholdings. They also left their homes and gathered in large numbers in the towns where factories were set up. The development of factory system encouraged the workers to come to the cities and rapid urbanization took place though in a very bad shape.
• Growth of Towns: There developed a member of towns and cities. As the similar industries were in close proximity, the workers gathered round those cities. Gradually the different countries knew Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow and Shefield as pioneer in British industrial development.

• Increase in Population: As a result of Industrial Revolution, trade and industry developed. The national wealth increased, standard of living raised and life became more comfortable. As the people migrated from rural areas to the cities, population greatly increased there. This greatly affected the local administration. The Municipalities were affected due to sudden increase of population.

• Exploitation of the Working Class: In the factories, the workers had to work long hours, but their wages were very small. To maximize their profits, the mill and factory owners paid minimum to the workers. The workers usually resided in the slums or worker barracks. There was no proper ventilation, no sanitary arrangements, and no sufficient water. Everything unhygienic surrounded them.

• Growth of Socialist Ideas: As the workers worked and lived together, they knew each other and discussed their own problems. This led them to organize into unions. The workers demanded that their union should be recognized so that they could fight for their rights in a collective way. Sometimes the conflict become severe and the workers adopted the policy of strikes and lockouts. These movements compelled the government to introduced factory laws. The theory of Laissez Faire, that is, the state should not interfere in the economic activities of the people, was practiced in England. The industrialists took full advantage of this situation. But due to economic exploitation the idea of socialism gradually developed. Robert Owen, Saint simon, Charles Fourier preached the idea. Frederick Engles wrote his “Communist Manifesto”. In it he gave the clarion call to the workers of the world to unite together because they had nothing to loose but their chains. Karl Marx a German Philosopher, in his book “Das Capital” discussed the theory of class struggle, exploitation of the workers and advocated the establishment of socialist states.

• Emergence of Capitalism: After the Industrial Revolution, home industry concept disappeared. Big and huge machines were installed in workshops and the production multiplied. The rich middle class (sometimes known as bourgeoisie) invested money for installing those new machines. They exploited the working class. The rich were become richer and the poor became poorer. This difference widened. Widened. Society was thus divided into tow classes- the capitalists and the working class. A struggled started between the two Class. The socialist sided with the workers and tried to protect the poor from the exploitation of the capitalists. The emergence of capitalism had far reaching consequences on the subsequent history of England.

• Capitalists and Politics: Previously the landed aristocrats dominated in national politics. But very soon the capitalists began to take part in politics and their number gradually increased. They used their wealth in seizing the political power. The capitalist dominated the national politics for a long time. The socialists raised their voice against the activities of the capitalists. In this conflict the worker class became victorious. The government was forced to pass Factory Act to protect the interests of the Working Class. Thus the Industrial Revolution introduced a structural change in the economic organization of England. As a result national wealth increased, the standard of living raised and the people had their life more comfortable.