Industrial Revolution: Causes, Innovations and Impacts

The Industrial Revolution was a transformative era that transformed societies from feudal, agrarian economies to capitalist, industrialised systems. Originating in Britain, it rapidly spread to the United States, Western Europe, and beyond. At its core, this period witnessed a paradigm shift from handcrafted production to mechanised manufacturing, driven by advancements in technology and industry. It marked the transition from feudalism to capitalism as the dominant mode of economic production.

The Industrial Revolution profoundly reshaped social and economic structures, reorganising industry operations and paving the way for modern civilization's emergence. This transformative period laid the foundation for the mechanised and industrialised societies we know today, forever altering the course of human history.

Industrial Revolution in Britain

The Industrial Revolution was a period of rapid industrialization that began in Britain in the late 18th century. It originated with the introduction of machinery, factories, and new manufacturing processes, ushering in profound economic and social changes.

Causes of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution in England was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, with several interrelated causes that contributed to its emergence.

• Surplus Wealth: The revolution in trade and commerce brought into existence a class of capitalists who were constantly seeking new opportunities to invest their surplus wealth.
  • As a result, increasing amounts of money were made available for the growth of manufacturing.
  • The financial resources required for industry investment came from the wealth that various colonies, particularly India, exported to England.
• Population growth: Rapid population growth met the growing industries' demand for more and cheaper labour.
• Political will: Britain's government was influenced by commercial and manufacturing interests, and as a result, it fought other countries tenaciously for markets and colonies.
• Demand: Inventions by Hargreaves, Crompton, Watt, Cartwright and others enabled technological advancements to meet Britain's growing industrial production demands.
• Infrastructure: All along the coast, the British had established ports, making it simple to conduct both internal and external trade.
  • The banking system in Britain played a pivotal role as it provided the necessary capital and financial support for establishing factories, investing in new machinery, and funding technological innovations.
• State support: The state supported the Industrial Revolution through laissez-faire policies advocated by David Ricardo and Adam Smith to foster economic growth.
• Coined by the French businessman M. Le Gendre, it was against the earlier idea of mercantilist protectionism.
• Availability of Raw materials and easy market access: Britain's colonies supplied raw materials and offered markets for finished goods, facilitating the Industrial Revolution by ensuring the availability of resources and demand for products.
• Innovations and Technological advancements:

• Favourable climate: Finally, the temperate climate of the British Isles was favourable for the manufacturing of cotton clothes.

Industrial Revolution in the United States of America

Soon after Britain, the Industrial Revolution also started in the USA for more than a century. This revolution involved major changes in manufacturing, transportation and communications, and transformed the daily lives of Americans.

Factors Responsible for the Industrialisation of America

• Embargo Act of 1807: It prohibited American merchant ships from leaving for foreign ports and prohibited foreign vessels from carrying American goods out of American ports.
• The Americans were forced to start producing more of their goods because they couldn't access foreign goods.
• Natural Resources: The United States' abundant natural resources like water, timber, metals and coal-fueled manufacturing of various goods for the market.
• Railroads: Railroad networks in the U.S. promoted the growth of industries like coal and steel and sped up the transportation of goods to market thus encouraging mass production, mass consumption, and economic specialisation.
• Abundant Labor Supply: A significant number of foreign workers were drawn to the United States by the railway industry, creating a plentiful labour pool for expanding businesses.
• Laissez-faire politics: Businesses were able to thrive and grow at a rapid pace due to a lack of government regulation.

Innovations and Technological Changes

• Samuel Slater, an English mill operator, helped Moses Brown establish the first water-powered textile mill in the Americas in 1793.
  • He was referred to by President Andrew Jackson as the "Father of the American Industrial Revolution."
•  In 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin.
• The telegraph was invented by Samuel F.B. Morse, and the sewing machine was invented by Elias Howe.
• After the Civil War, industrialisation accelerated.
  • The first transcontinental railway was finished in 1869 to transport people, raw materials, and manufacturers.
  • The invention of electricity by Thomas Alva Edison (1879) and the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell (1876) changed the whole world.
• The invention of electricity enabled the development of the electric motor, leading to electric trams and subway trains.
• The first roller coaster was patented by Edwin Prescott in 1898.
• The first aeroplane, Orville and Wilber Wright invented the first plane that was not powered by wind in 1903.
• The Ford Model T automobile was created by Henry Ford in 1908.

Industrial Revolution in France

The Industrial Revolution in France occurred later than in Britain and other European countries, starting in the late 18th century and gaining momentum in the 19th century. France's industrialization progressed through textile mechanisation, and heavy industry growth like iron, steel and coal, culminating in rapid industrialisation under the Second Empire.

Factors Responsible for the Industrialisation of France

• Political and Social Reforms: The French Revolution abolished feudalism and established a more unified market, facilitating industrialization in the long run, despite initial disruptions.
• Resource Availability: Access to resources like coal, iron ore, and water power supported heavy industries, while textile centres like Lyon and Lille benefited from raw materials like wool and flax.
• Infrastructure Development: Construction of roads, canals, and railroads, particularly under the July Monarchy, improved transportation and movement of goods and resources.
• Technological Innovations: French inventors contributed innovations like the Jacquard loom, and Leblanc process, driving productivity in textiles, chemicals, and metallurgy.
• Government Policies: The Second Empire under Napoleon III invested in infrastructure, provided financial support, and implemented protectionist tariffs to nurture domestic industries.
• Entrepreneurship and Investment: Influential industrialists like the Schneiders and Peugeots, along with private investment and joint-stock companies, propelled industrial growth

Industrial Revolution in Germany

Germany's industrialisation commenced in the early 1800s with the establishment of the Zollverein (a custom union) in 1834, enabling free trade among German states. This economic unity paved the way for industrial growth. The 1871 unification under Otto von Bismarck's leadership marked a pivotal shift, propelling Germany's industrial development through unified policies and initiatives.

Factors Responsible for the Industrialisation of Germany

• Availability of Natural Resources: The industrial boom was fueled by abundant natural resources, with coal deposits in the Ruhr Valley and iron ore in Lorraine and Silesia, propelling the steel and coal mining industries.
• Transportation Infrastructure: The construction of an extensive railway network was pivotal, streamlining the transport of raw materials and finished goods, and bolstering trade and commerce.
• Contribution of Bismarck: Bismarck's policies facilitated economic unification, promoted heavy industries through subsidies and tariffs, encouraged infrastructure development, and supported technological advancements, providing a conducive environment for rapid industrialization.
• Threat from France: The threat of military conflict with France motivated Germany to strengthen its industrial base, particularly in the production of steel, coal, and armaments, to enhance its military capabilities and assert its power.
• Adoption of New Technologies: Germany's industrial progress was fueled by adopting new technologies like the Bessemer steel process and chemical/electrical engineering advancements.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit and Industrial Leadership: The emergence of influential industrialists and business leaders, such as those behind Krupp and Siemens, and a culture of risk-taking and innovation, were key drivers of industrial growth.

Industrial Revolution in Japan

The Industrial Revolution in Japan took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Meiji Restoration in 1868 marked the beginning of Japan's industrialization. The new government initiated a series of reforms, known as the Bunmei Kaika (Civilization and Enlightenment), aimed at westernising and modernising Japan.

Factors Responsible for the Industrialisation of Japan

• Skilled Labor Force: Japan's emphasis on education resulted in a literate population, a disciplined workforce, and the availability of skilled artisans and craftsmen.
• Acquisition of Foreign Knowledge and Technology: Japan hired foreign experts, sent students and workers abroad for training, and imported machinery and equipment from Western nations to acquire foreign knowledge and technology.
• Infrastructure Development: The construction of railways, roads, ports, and expansion of transportation networks facilitated the movement of goods and resources, supporting industrial growth.
• Private Enterprise and Zaibatsu: The shift from government-led to private sector involvement, establishment of zaibatsu (large family-owned conglomerates), and promotion of entrepreneurship and innovation drove industrialization.
• Focus on Heavy Industries: Japan's emphasis on strategic heavy industries like shipbuilding, steel, and machinery development supported military modernization and the buildup of a robust industrial base.
• Protectionist Policies: The implementation of tariffs, trade barriers, nurturing of domestic industries, and promotion of import substitution fostered industrial growth.

Impact of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution had far-reaching and profound effects on every aspect of society, economy, and technology, shaping the course of human history and transforming the world in various ways.

Political Impact

• Expansion of Democracy: The industrial and professional bourgeoisie section began to fight for a share in the government and succeeded with the passing of the historic First Reform Act in 1832.
  • This gave the right to vote to the middle class.
• Emergence of Labour Unions: Workers were inspired to combine and organise themselves to fight for rights and this gave rise to the trade union movement in Britain. 
  • Their right to strike and form a union for exacting demands from the management was recognized.
• A shift in power and influence: The Industrial Revolution brought about the rise of capitalism. As a result, a small number of industrialists came to possess vast wealth and power. At the same time, factory workers received pitiful wages, sparking discussions about economic inequality and social justice.
  • Thus, it led to the rise of classes and class politics, ultimately communism by Marx.
• Rise of nationalism: Industrialisation enabled countries leading to increased connectivity and a sense of national identity.
  • Nationalism, which placed a strong emphasis on patriotism and pride in one's country, developed into a strong political force that was frequently connected to international rivalry in terms of trade and conflict over territorial interests.
• Growth of imperialism: As industrialised countries sought to expand their territories and secure resources for their growing economies, it led to imperialism and the colonisation of other regions of the world.

Social Impact

The Industrial Revolution immensely affected the society of Europe, particularly that of Britain.

• The society was divided into three new groups based on economic status and interests.
• The 'grande bourgeoisie' or industrial elite comprised wealthy bankers, capitalists and industrialists.
• The educated middle class or 'professional bourgeoisie' included engineers, technicians, doctors and lawyers.
• The working class consisted of labourers who migrated to urban areas for factory, mining and dock jobs.
• Conditions of the working class:
• Child labour increased
• Working class lived in poverty
• Long working hours and low pay
• Positive Effects of the Industrial Revolution like, an increase in wealth, the production of goods, and the standard of living.
  • People had access to more affordable goods, better housing, and healthier diets.

Economic Impact

• There was a significant increase in output, which resulted in lower product costs.
• Rise of Capitalism: A new source of wealth rose from the ownership of factories and machinery. This new group of people became known as capitalists.
• Banking system: They also organised the banking system to distribute capital from surplus income areas to those areas where it was needed.
  • In the early 1700s, the first private banks were opened by goldsmiths, merchants, and manufacturers.
• Trade: The discovery of trade routes encouraged competition amongst colonial and imperialist powers for expanding their empires to fulfil the need for raw materials, new markets, and cheap labour.

Impact on India

• Economic Impact: The rise of British economic power and colonisation of India led to the destruction of traditional Indian industries like textiles and handicrafts.
  • There was an influx of British manufactured goods, undermining local production.
  • India was transformed into a supplier of raw materials and a consumer of British goods.
• Social Impact: The Industrial Revolution disrupted traditional social structures and occupations in India.
  • It led to the rise of new social classes, such as industrialists and workers, and accelerated urbanisation and the growth of cities.
  • Western education and ideas were introduced, influencing Indian society.
• Political Impact: The strengthening of British colonial rule and exploitation of resources in India was a direct consequence of the Industrial Revolution.
  • It also sparked the rise of Indian nationalist movements and demands for self-governance.
  • Exposure to Western political ideologies like liberalism and socialism influenced Indian political thought.
• Infrastructural Impact: The development of railways, roads, and communication networks facilitated the movement of goods and people in India.
  • This infrastructure laid the groundwork for India's future industrialisation, though it primarily served British colonial interests initially.