Industrial revolution

The Industrial Revolution began in G. B. because social, political and legal conditions were particularly favourable to change. Britain was in quite a unique position. At that time, it was the only country in the world that had all the right ingredients in place for industrial growth to take off. Firstly and most importantly, there was a rising population.

Between 1751 and 1851, the population of Britain had more than doubled. This created a demand for goods, which in turn stimulated growth and provided a labour force. Population growth was not unique to Britain at that time, but it was the country in the best position to meet its demands. Britain had ready access to all the raw materials it required, such as wood for charcoal, coal, iron ore, wool, and cotton. Britain was also at war with France; this in itself created an extra demand for goods, but it also taught Britain to be self-sufficient. Cut off from the rest of Europe by Napoleon, Britain had to look for other trade routes. Its citizens also had to learn how to manufacture many of the goods they needed themselves, as they could no longer purchase them from their neighbours, thereby forcing the introduction and development of new ideas. Britain also had the people to exploit these resources through their innovative new industrialists. Many were non-conformists, isolated from the rest of society and unable to enter fields like politics, so they chose to shine through business and industry. The British Government at the time was purposefully laissez-faire towards business, allowing it to develop by itself, making Britain arguably freer to develop than most countries, enabling the new industrialists to prosper. Is so slow that the pattern of society barely seems to change in the course of centuries. At other times Circumstances combine to alter social and economic life so rapidly that the change can be noted in the Life of an individual. After centuries of comparatively slow development in Britain, from the middle of Farming techniques, machines and methods, the enclosure of open fields and the growing population.

New farming techniques consisted of improvements in crop rotation, soil fertilization and selective Breeding allied with the development of new machinery.

Four names are commonly associated with these innovations: Jethro Tull (1674-1741) is best remembered for the invention of the seed drill, which planted in rows, rather than broadcasting, thus allowing hoeing between rows. Charles Townsgend (1674-1738) introduced marl a mixture of clay and lime to his sandy Norfolk estates. He advocated the use of turnips as fodder as an addition to traditional rotational crops.

Robert Bakewell (1725-1795) pioneered selective breeding and developed quick-fattening sheep for mutton.

Thomas Coke (1725-1842) set out to educate farmers in new methods. He initiated agricultural shows and encouraged his tenant farmers to improve their methods by granting them ...