Industrialization in Britain (jan 1, 1760 – jan 1, 1840)

Description:

Industrialism in Britain was a centuries-long period of modernization and economic growth in Great Britain. During this time period, factories (or British “mills”) gained popularity, especially in Manchester, which would later be known as an “industrial center”. From 1717 to 1911, the population of Manchester grew 230 times from 10,000 people to 230,000 people. What exactly prompted this change, many ask. Well, the English inventions of the flying shuttle in 1733, spinning jenny in 1764, water frame in 1769 (which also led to Richard Arkwright designing the first factories in England) as well as the mining of coal, and more, made cloth production more efficient and able to be done simultaneously by many workers. These inventions led to cloth factories, which led to the factories of today. Additionally, the usage of steam power in engines has led to modern-day trains. However, everything comes at a price. The desire for cheap, easy labor led to incredibly unsafe working conditions, miniscule pay, and child labor. Many people died due to the terrible factory conditions, and it would be years before any change was made. These modernizations in England in the eighteenth to twentieth century have led to practically everything in the modern world, for the idea of the factory has made goods production far quicker and more effective. The laptop this is being typed on could not exist without such factories. This event also connects to other historical events of the time period. To illustrate, Japan’s Meiji Restoration was the Japanese equivalent of the Industrial Revolution. In the mid-to-late 19th century, Japan went through a massive period of advancement during their transfer from feudalism to capitalism, inspired by the industrialization of other countries, including Great Britain. Furthermore, the Opium Wars in China can also be tied back to the industrialization of Britain. Fueled by the desire to support industrialization on its own shores, Britain (along with other European powers) seized power over many Chinese ports, for the land was rich with materials. Britain, which was taking many valuable Chinese resources, forced the country to recieve opium as payment, and soon the Chinese were undergoing an epidemic of opium addiction. The situation deteriorated so much that the Chinese fought not one, but two wars with the British in order to get them to stop sending so much opium. Both of these wars were in vain, and China became known to the world as the center of opioid use.

Added to timeline:

Date:

Images: