Why Great Britian Started the
Industrial Revolution
Natural Resources
(Coal, iron, ore, etc.)
Labour
Enclosure Movement
Population continued to grow on the base of
the 18th century population explosion
Better forms of transportation (such as the
railway) allowed people to migrate to the cities...
By 1850, one-half of the population of England
and Whales amd one-quarter of the population of
France and Germany had become town dwellers
Capital
Industrial Revolution
grew on itself...
Money made in early industries
(textile, iron-making, etc.) was
reinvested
Markets
In the end of the French Revolution and
the wars of Napoleon opened the
continent up to British products
The Latin American wars of independence
opened the markets of Central and South
America
The United States and
Canada demanded British
Products
Through its control of India, Britain
commanded the markets of southern Asih
Transportation
Canals
Railways: 1830s and 1840s were
the great age of railway building
Entrepreneurship
Strong middle class
Liberal nobles who were willing to
invest in new ventures