Economic Development In Great Britain

Although coined by French writers, the term Industrial Revolution was popularized by historian Arnold Toynbee to describe the economic development in Great Britain. The Industrial Revolution spanned from the late 18th century through the 1800’s. Great Britain was the birthplace of this economic development for many reasons. For example, the geography of Britain was ideal for industrialization, as the nation had vast farm land, good rivers, and a coastline with many ports linking Great Britain to the world. Also, the country had great deposits of coal and iron, which were essential for industrialization. The state of the country also played a factor in the Revolution, as Britain was loaded with capital, and businessmen willing to take investment

New labor saving inventions were beneficial in increasing the variety of goods available, and were liked by both employers and workers. An excerpt from the Leeds Cloth Merchant Proclamation in Support of Machinery, which reads “In the Manufacture of Woollens, the Scribbling Mill, the Spinning Frame, and the Fly Shuttle, have reduced manual Labour nearly One third, and each of them at its-first Introduction carried an Alarm to the Work People, yet each has contributed to advance the Wages and to increase the Trade”. (Leeds Cloth Merchant Proclamation in Support of Machinery, 72-74) Also, a letter by Joseph Delafield describes the benefits of a steam engine; “Last summer we set up a steam engine for the purpose of grinding our malt...Its great uses and advantages give us all great satisfaction and are daily pointed out afresh to us.” (Delafield, Assistant to Samuel Whitbread Brewers in a letter; “Industrial Revolution”, History.com)

Throughout the Industrial Revolution, the transportation system of Great Britain drastically improved. The higher demand for coal in the nation led to many challenges to the nation’s transport system. This influenced many mine owners to finance new road construction, paid for with tolls. To further improve efficiency, John McAdam developed a new process for road

The first telegraph was an extremly helpful tool, and was used by the police during the murder of Sarah Heart, when a man watching the suspect escape used an early telegraph to convey this message to police; “A murder has just been committed at Salt Hill and the suspected murderer was seen to take a first class ticket to London by the train that left Slough at 7.42pm. He is in the garb of a Kwaker with a brown great coat on which reaches his feet. He is in the last compartment of the second first-class carriage.” (Murder of Sarah Heart by John Tawell, British Transport Police) Also, the banking changes led to more consumerism, and the increased trade in Europe because of the free market led to investors acquiring more capital. In Support of the free market, Adam Smith, in his renowned The Wealth of Nations, writes “[Man] intends only his own security; and by directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of the greatest value.” (Smith, 33; Stearns,