The causes of the Industrial Revolution are many:technological innovations at the service of production, available labor, stimulus to free trade and capital available for investment.
The Industrial Revolution took place, starting in the 18th century in England and caused a great change in the economic, social and political system.
This phenomenon spread to other European countries and the world, marking a phase of intense use of machines, to the detriment of artisanal (manual) work.
Main causes of the Industrial Revolution
There are numerous reasons why the Industrial Revolution happened in the first place in England. To facilitate understanding, we have divided them into scientific, political and economic:
Scientific
- Technical and scientific progress
- Creation of machines for industries
- Invention of the spinning machine, power loom and steam engine
- Improved farming methods
- Improvement and innovation of production techniques
- Development of the metallurgical and steel industry
- Mechanization of production processes
Policies
- Strengthening and investment of the bourgeoisie
- End of absolute monarchy in England
- Emergence of parliamentarism
- Influence of the Enlightenment and Intellectual Revolution
- Introduction of political and economic liberalism
Economic
- English naval hegemony and strategic geographic position
- Absence of internal customs barriers
- Increase in wealth and accumulation of capital
- Commercial revolution and expansion of international trade through its colonies
- Large availability of coal in the UK
- Growth of the world consumer market
- Demographic growth in Europe
- Enclosure Law that ended communal lands and provoked the rural exodus
Also learn about the Consequences of the Industrial Revolution
Stages of the Industrial Revolution
Remember that the Industrial Revolution was a period of significant changes in the world economic and social scenario. We can differentiate three phases:
- First Industrial Revolution (1750 to 1850):The main inventions were the spinning machine, the power loom and the steam engine.
- Second Industrial Revolution (1850 to 1950):characterized by the invention of automobiles and airplanes, the means of communication (telegraph, telephone, television and cinema), development of electric energy, emergence of vaccines and antibiotics and discovery of new chemical substances.
- Third Industrial Revolution (1950-to-date):this moment was marked by the advancement of computer technology, space conquest, progress in electronics, use of atomic energy, development of genetic engineering and biotechnology.
Complement your research by reading the articles :
- Phases of the Industrial Revolution
- English Industrial Revolution
- Malthusian Theory