Essay about Great Britain and the Industrial Revolution

Great Britain and the Industrial Revolution Why did Great Britain lead the Industrial Revolution? The Industrial Revolution of the 18th century changed Europe forever. At the front of this change was Great Britain, which used some natural advantages and tremendous thinking and innovation to become the leader of the Industrial Revolution. First, Britain had some tremendous natural attributes. It was naturally endowed with many deposits of coal and iron ore, which were used heavily in the early stages of factory production. In addition, Britain was situated at a critical point for international trade. Its position between the United States and the rest of Europe allowed them to have a serious impact in all matters of trade.†¦show more content†¦Once the factory became common, technological advances were soon made to improve them, the most important of which was the division of labor. This use of factories increased economic growth two-fold and â€Å"facilitated economies of scales in mass-produced goods and the introduction of new technology for accelerating production† (Evans 110). Mass production made usually expensive items, such as shoes, less expensive and easily affordable by lower class and less wealthy people, which improved the quality of life and spurred on more advancement. One such advancement was James Watts improvement of the steam engine, which shifted factory power from water to steam, making possible steam driven machinery. This also led to an increased demand for iron and coal, which in turn led to an increase in the mining industries. Some of the most important advancements came in the production of cotton, where several inventions stood out: John Kays flying shuttle of 1733, which greatly increased weaving speed; James Hargreaves spinning jenny, which made possible the automatic production of thread; Richard Arkwright’s wate r frame; and Edmund Cartwright’s machine loom. It was the textile industry that pioneered the Industrial Revolution and its innovators encouraged others to continue the technological advancements that made Britains economy flourish. All of this innovation needed entrepreneurs to use capital to put the inventions to work, andShow MoreRelatedThe Industrial Revolution of Great Britain1107 Words   |  5 PagesThe Industrial Revolution of Great Britain The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transport, and technology had a tremendous effect on the social economic and cultural conditions starting in the Great Britain, then subsequently spreading throughout Europe, North America, and eventually the world. Reasons The Industrial Revolution, one of the most vital periods of change in Great Britain, occurredRead MoreThe Impact Of Great Britain On The Industrial Revolution2012 Words   |  9 Pagesdefinition over simplifies the industrial revolution. In reality the Industrial Revolution was much more complex and encompasses many different aspects. With that said the events that led to the Industrial Revolution were even more complicated. 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