FACTORS THAT PRECIPITATED TO INDUSTRIALIZATION IN BRITAIN

FACTORS THAT PRECIPITATED TO INDUSTRIALIZATION IN BRITAIN

Revolution means a shift or sudden change in a society.Industrial Revolution means a shift from primitive mode of production to mechanized form. It was started in middle of 19th century to early 20th century. The technological progress achieved by Britain is called the Britain Technological Revolution. The following factors prompted for industrial revolution in Britain;

1.     Agrarian Revolution: There is a change in method of production in the area of agriculture, people own small pieces of land scattered all over, making the forms to have demarcations between “person A” and “person B”'s land. People began to agree to exchange their land so that they will merge all their land into one piece of land. At that point, government brought out a law that says you must fence your land and people have to sell their lands because they can't afford to fence it. Also, having small pieces of land scattered at different locations makes it impossible to use machines by the poor and therefore, have to extinguish it to the rich who canafford to use mechanized farming on their large land. Also the use of fertilizer, seedlings, hybrids etc. makes it easy for production of larger products that can sustain many people. The revolution provided enough food for people in the industrialized area; small land holding was greatly discouraged and large land holding was encouraged.

2.     The Presence of Relative Peace in Britain: While other countries are at wars e.g. France is engulfed in series of revolutions, U.S.A is experiencing about 100years of war as at then, Russia, Germany all are faced with one uprising or the other,  Britain was enjoying relative peace which causes the way for investment and development. Britain was as that time was relatively more peaceful.

3.     England Was already a Great Commercial Power: This is as a result of imperialism (direct or indirect means of controlling the economy of others). Before colonialism, Britain has enormous influence all over the world especially countries which they colonized and these areas sees England as center of trade for them.

4.     Rising Population: Due to increased food production, hygienefood health services etc. Britain was able to have a very large population which is all productive; in 1750, the population of Britain was about 6million, 30years later it reached to 14million and in the early 20th century; it increased to about 33million.

5.     Inventions and Innovations: Provisions of skills and adequate education encouraged inventions and innovations. Entrepreneurs are willing to sponsor any invention that can be done to improve their productivity. These inventions take place in different ways, one leading to another. the textile invention in Lancashire is a very good example of invention and innovation then, due to this, Ely Whitney invented the flying shuttle(used for yarning), in 1967, the spinning shuttle was invented.

6.     Revolution in the Area of Power: Certainly, power is needed to drive machines or work. Before this revolution, human and animal power was used; the log from the forest is used to burn and make fire to smelt things. Then charcoal came into use as a result of this inventions especially in the area of textile, these was needed for real power to make machines works, so coal were used to generate power for the machines, then came the development of steam engines which was invented by John Watt(1765). The steam engine resulted to the factory system; iron was mined not only in Britain but to other colonies, so things were melted to not only constructing machines but to build rail way for trains, pots, plates, cars, etc.

7.     The Location of Britain: This also causes it to industrialize because it is strategically located, which forms its development.