The names of British factory cities would soon spread around the world symbolizing the peak of industrialization: Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, Birmingham and especially Manchester. In order to get a better image of the city's growth and development, we will turn to statistics once again. In the 1770s, Manchester had a population of about 25, 000 and by 1850, less than a century later, its population had increased to over 350, 000 people. However, this population boom brought about the dramatic worsening of health conditions in urban areas as work conditions and long hours put a toll on working people who were sometimes as young as eight years old. In addition, bad sewage disposal, air and water pollution as well as the diseases which resulted from this insalubrious environment caused an increase in the rate of infant mortality and shorter life expectancy. Along with poor health conditions, the toll roads, canals and railroads which now linked the countryside to urban areas had been built thanks to deforestation and soil depletion that largely contributed to the serious environmental problems that Europe was facing. Social classes were also deeply affected by the Industrial Revolution. The standard of living for the common worked did not improve until the middle of the 19th century. Wages and standards of living were dictated by how well the business was doing hence there were rapid and serious fluctuations. Nonetheless, it is important to note here that the Industrial Revolution led to the creation of a middle class that in turn, gave birth to businesses. Family life was also altered by the Revolution with wives and husbands working in separate places. Moreover, the role of women in society during the era did not change significantly as they were underpaid and forced to choose between working as maids or in the textile industry (More 36). Child labor represented one of the most serious issues faced by British legislators during the Industrial Revolution. In their attempt to restrict it, they worsened the situation of immigrants who started being exploited by their employers (More 41). Protests did not help the cause...
Economist Adam Smith argued in his work, "The Wealth of Nations," in favor of laissez-faire economy which was based on the idea of restricting governmental interference in market economy. Robert Owen argued in favor of industrial reforms aimed at improving working conditions. The hard working conditions and bad economic life had generated protests and riots by the workers and eventually, the formation of trade unions. In turn, this led to political action when the Parliament passed the Factory Act of 1833, the Mines Act of 1842, and the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 that focused on solving the issue of abuse in industrial sectors (Stearns 28).
Even before the team engine developed and the railroad infrastructure was created, Britain benefited from a large number of internal rivers that facilitated a proper transport infrastructure through the use of internal river channels. During a time when the road infrastructure was completely underdeveloped in all countries, the fact that so many river could be interconnected greatly increased communication between the various parts of Britain. Additionally, Britain also saw the
Why Britain?The Industrial Revolution as it has been described in Eurocentric historical analyses began in Britain during the late eighteenth century, with advancements in the textile industry. However, English imperialism and colonialism patterns are what provided the new market in raw materials that spawned the revolutionary technologies of the English Industrial Revolution (Marks, 96). Profiting off its colonies, England was able to amass the capital needed to invest in new
Industrial Revolution: Result of an Agricultural Revolution? The Industrial Revolution which began in Great Britain in the eighteenth century, and still continues in certain parts of the world, is considered by some historians to be the most significant transformation in the economic environment of human civilization after the Neolithic Revolution. There are a number of reasons that triggered and sustained the transformation of an agriculture-based economy to an industrial-based economy, but
This was due to death of one of its greatest leaders, Aurangzeb early 1709. Leadership was seemingly absent as the last of the old and experienced leaders passed on and the new leaders took over. One of the new leaders, referred to as the nawab of Bengal took control of the British port and ordered for payment of increased tax from the British. This move was obviously advised by
Industrial Revolution Changed the World Economy? The Industrial Revolution that started in Great Britain in the latter part of eighteenth century is considered by some historians to be the most significant transformation in the economic environment of human civilization after the Agricultural Revolution. While there is no disagreement on the view that the 'revolution' had a great effect on the world economy and transformed the lives of a large number
Industrial Revolution It has been called the "Western Miracle" and the "European Miracle," but it is commonly known as the Industrial Revolution. During the later half of the 1700's and to the beginning of the 20th century, The European continent and North America went through some amazing changes. These changes did not involve politics, but centered on economics and a new way of business in the U.S. They would also
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