Reasons for the Emergence of the Industrial Revolution in Britain

1. Financial and Commercial Growth

•Development of financial and commercial affairs in Europe since the 16th
century.
•By the 18th century, Britain surpassed leading European countries like
Holland, France, Portugal, and Spain.
•Creation of a wealthy class capable of investing in industries.
2. Population Growth and High Demand for Goods
•Rapid population increase in Britain.
•Rising demand for goods led to challenges in production.
•Development in the industrial sector to meet demand.
3. Expansion of Scientific Knowledge
•Influence of the Renaissance in the 14th and 15th centuries.
•Scientific knowledge applied to produce new machinery.
•Availability of essential minerals like iron and steel for machine
production.
•Easy access to coal for energy production.
4. Control Over Trade and Markets
•Unlike France, Britain’s trade development was strong.
•Britain restricted colonies from trading with other countries using
commercial laws.
•Colonies were forced to import goods from Britain, maintaining a high demand.
•Some products, like British cotton clothes, had a high demand (e.g., in
India).
•Existing production methods could not meet rising demand, leading to
industrial growth.
5. Agricultural Changes and Availability of Labor
•Rich landowners combined small farms into large farms (Encroaching Movement).
•Poor farmers lost their lands and migrated to cities for jobs.
•Extra labor force supported industrial development.
6. Social Freedom and Innovation
•Unlike other countries, Britain allowed talented individuals to earn
regardless of social status.
•Free social environment encouraged new ideas.
•Economic growth led to the emergence of banks and financial organizations
supporting industries.
7. Political Stability and Government Support
•Stable political environment in Britain.
•Parliament provided freedom, tax relief, and support for businesses.
8. Geographical and Economic Advantages
•Small island nature made transportation easier.
•Development of a nationwide market network.
•Ability to charge high prices for goods.
•London functioned as a hub for raw materials, capital, and products.
•Britain surpassed other countries in industrial production.

Rise of the industrial revolution

Industrial revolution was based on three industries:
-Textile industry
-iron and steel industry
-Coal industry
development in this field, resulted in gradual progress in field as transport,
communication and agriculture.

Textile Industry

1. Challenge of Increasing Production

British textile producers struggled to meet high demand from colonies. Weaving
became faster with the Flying Shuttle (John K., 1733). However, thread
production remained slow. Six thread makers’ daily output was only enough for
one weaver per day.

2. Invention of Spinning Machines

Spinning Jenny (James Hargreaves, 1764) – Manually operated cotton weaving
machine. Water Turbine (Richard Arkwright, 1769) – Water-powered spinning
wheel, more efficient but too large for home use and required a constant water
supply.

3. Further Innovations
Mule (Samuel Crompton, 1779) – Combined features of Spinning Jenny and Water
Turbine, producing finer and stronger threads. Steam-Powered Mule (Edmund
Cartwright, 1785) – Mule powered by steam, increasing efficiency.

4. Impact on Textile Industry

Within 30 years, several new machines and technical methods made cotton
spinning more efficient.
Iron and Steel Industry

1. Abundance of Ore Deposits

Britain had an abundance of ore deposits. Before the Industrial Revolution,
the British produced iron and steel for weapons, agricultural equipment, and
household tools. Firewood was used to smelt ore, but it could not meet the
rising demand for machinery.

2. Alternative Methods for Smelting Ore

Abraham Darby (1730) discovered a method to smelt ore using coal, producing
molded iron. Henri Cort (1784) invented the Roller Machine, which enabled the
production of tempered iron.

3. Advancements in Steel Production

Henri Bessemer (1856) developed a method to remove dirt from iron to produce
steel. The Open Oven Method (1860) further improved steel production, making
it cheaper and faster. Wilhelm Siemens (1870) invented an electric oven to
smelt ore, boosting the industry.

4. Impact on the Iron and Steel Industry

These innovations led to rapid improvements in the iron and steel industry,
enabling mass production of high-quality steel.

Coal Industry

1. Abundance of Coal Mines

Britain had numerous coal mines, with notable locations such as South Wales,
Yorkshire, and Lancashire. Coal became a popular and efficient fuel for
smelting ore, running machines, and household chores. The demand for coal grew
with industrial development, but mining coal became increasingly difficult.

2. Solutions to Mining Problems

•Steam Engine (Thomas Newcomen, 1735) – Invented to pump water from deep mines
and cool the air, but it was inefficient and not suitable for other
industries.
•Improved Steam Engine (James Watt, 1736) – An efficient steam engine that
could be used across multiple industries.
•Safety Lamp (Humphry Davy, 1812) – Provided light in the mines, reducing the
risks associated with mining.
•Iron Cable Method (1839) – Replaced the old method of using copper cables
with iron cables to remove coal, improving efficiency.

3. By-products of Coal Development

The coal industry led to the production of several by-products:
•Tar – Used in road construction.
•Coal-derived Paints – Used in dyeing clothes.
•Other Products – Coal was also used to produce medicines, perfumes, oils, and
fertilizers.

Expansion of the Industrial Revolution

1. Expansion to Other Fields

The Industrial Revolution spread beyond industries like textiles, coal, and
iron to other sectors like transportation, communication, and agriculture.

Expansion of Transportation
•The growth of the industrial sector led to the need for improved
transportation systems.
•Macadam Method (John McAdam, 1811) – A new way to build durable roads that
allowed fast travel for vehicles carrying heavy loads.
•Steam Engine (George Stephenson, 1814) – Revolutionized transport with
efficient trains for coal and goods transport, reducing time and costs.
•Steamboat (Robert Fulton, 1807) and Steamship (Henry Bell, 1811) – Introduced
for passenger transport using firewood and later coal.
•Motor Car (Daimler, 1885) – Revolutionized land transport.
•Airplane (Wright brothers, 1903) – Transformed air transport, enhancing the
speed and efficiency of travel.

Expansion of Communication Sector

•The postal service was expensive, and the need for faster communication arose
due to the growing industrial economy.
•Telephone (Alexander Graham Bell, 1876) – Allowed communication between
distant places using human voice through cables.
•Penny Postal Service (1840) – Enabled cheap letter sending across the
country.
•Telegraph (Samuel Morse, 1844) – Allowed sending messages through cables
using symbols.
•Wireless Communication (Guglielmo Marconi, 1895) – Enabled message
transmission through radio signals.
•Television (John Logie Baird, 1920s) – Revolutionized communication and
entertainment.

Expansion of Agriculture
•Industrialization led to the formation of large, combined farms due to the
migration of people to cities and the abandonment of land.
•Crop Rotation – Helped reduce diseases and increased agricultural
productivity.
•Line Sowing with Horse-Tethered Ploughs (Jethro Tull) – Reduced seed waste
and increased crop yields.
•Animal Husbandry Advances (Robert Bakewell) – Improved breeding of sheep and
livestock.
•Agricultural Equipment – New machinery was created to clear forests, prepare
land, and produce seeds.
•Guano Fertilizers (1800) – A type of manure produced in Africa and later in
America, improving crop yields.
•Chemical Fertilizers and Agrochemicals – Developed to further enhance
agricultural productivity.
•With improved transport and storage, agricultural and animal products became
cheaper, increasing demand and benefiting the economy.

The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain, spread to other parts of

the world during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This expansion occurred in
stages and was influenced by several key factors that enabled countries to
adopt industrial methods and accelerate their production processes.

The reasons for the spread of the Industrial Revolution include:

1. Increase in global demand for goods: The rapid growth of the world
population created a higher demand for goods, especially manufactured
products. As populations expanded, countries sought to meet these needs by
increasing industrial production.
2. Development of travel and transport in Europe: The advancements in
transportation, particularly the improvement of roads and the introduction of
railways, made it easier to transport raw materials to factories and finished
railways, made it easier to transport raw materials to factories and finished
products to markets. This facilitated industrial growth and the spread of
industrialization to neighboring countries.
3. Discovery of coal reserves in other countries: The availability of coal
in France, Germany, and other countries provided the necessary energy to power
machines and engines. This allowed countries to build the infrastructure
needed for industrialization.

As a result of these factors, the Industrial Revolution spread across Europe,

with industrial centers emerging in countries that were close to markets and
abundant raw materials. Germany and France became key players in the
industrialization process. Germany, in particular, saw significant industrial
growth and emerged as a powerful nation by the beginning of World War I.

Other European countries, such as Belgium, Austria, Hungary, and Prussia, also
experienced rapid industrial growth. The Austrian Empire built extensive road
networks, and Belgium expanded its road system significantly. The development
of railways was another important feature of industrial expansion across
Europe, enabling faster movement of goods and further accelerating
industrialization.

In America, industrial growth took off after the country gained independence
from Britain. The industrial revolution’s effects were especially evident in
the northern states, which began to industrialize rapidly. The introduction of
factories and machines transformed the economy, leading to a surge in
manufacturing.

In Japan, industrialization occurred during the latter half of the 19th

century and into the early 20th century. Japan’s industrial revolution was
greatly influenced by Western models and methods. By adopting these methods,
Japan quickly developed its industrial and technological sectors, becoming a
major player in global industries. Japan’s success in industrialization
allowed it to compete with Western powers and become one of the leading
industrial nations in Asia.

By the 20th century, the effects of the Industrial Revolution had spread to
many Asian countries including China, India, and Sri Lanka. These countries
began to adopt industrial practices, transforming their economies and
societies. The global spread of the Industrial Revolution not only brought
technological advancements to various parts of the world but also made the
world feel more interconnected, leading to the concept of the global village.
The developments in transport and communication, in particular, played a
crucial role in bringing countries closer together, enabling faster exchange
of goods, ideas, and technologies.

Results of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution brought major changes to politics, economics, and

society worldwide. These changes had both positive and negative effects.
1. Changes in the Political Field
•A wealthy class of investors and an underprivileged working class emerged.
•Factory owners exploited laborers, leading to struggles such as labor
unions, boycotts, and rights movements.
•Political ideologies like socialism and liberalism gained popularity.
•Adam Smith’s “laissez-faire” concept promoted capitalism by reducing
government involvement in economic matters.
•Industrialized European countries sought cheap raw materials and new
markets, leading to neo-imperialism after 1850.
•Competition for colonies contributed to the causes of World War I.

2. Changes in the Economic Sector

•Industrial products and commerce took priority over agriculture in
economies.
•A new working class emerged as small farmers left their lands to work in
factories.
•The self-sufficient economy collapsed, replaced by an import-export
economy.
•Agricultural production became industrialized, introducing a variety of
new food products.
•Capitalism spread globally, benefiting European industrial nations and
their colonies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
•Businesses expanded, leading to the formation of joint-stock companies
where multiple investors pooled funds.
•By the 19th century, these companies became multinational corporations
involved in trade, banking, and loans.

3. Impact on Society

Positive Effects
•Growth of new cities due to industrialization.
•Increased job opportunities in factories.
•Mass production made goods cheaper and more accessible.
•Wealthier people enjoyed a higher standard of living.
•Laws were later introduced to improve wages, working hours, and worker
welfare.

Negative Effects
•Rapid urbanization led to overcrowded cities.
•Cities lacked proper infrastructure and sanitation.
•Social classes were divided into:
•Aristocrats (landowners)
•Middle-class business owners (factory owners, bankers, traders, engineers,
lawyers)
•Working-class laborers who faced poverty and harsh conditions.
•Factory workers, including women and children, worked 12-14 hours a day in
unsafe environments for low wages.
•Poor living conditions in shanty houses near factories, with minimal
sanitary facilities.
•Increased alcoholism and social problems among the poor.
 •Increased alcoholism and social problems among the poor.
•Industrial pollution caused severe environmental damage, including:
•Water contamination from factory waste.
•Air pollution from toxic gases.
•Harmful health effects on the population.

Effects of the Industrial Revolution on Sri Lanka

Even though Sri Lanka did not undergo industrialization in the 19th century
like Britain and other European countries, it was still influenced by the
Industrial Revolution due to being a British colony. The British introduced
large-scale plantations and factories, using imported machinery for processing
crops like tea, coconut, and rubber.

1. Introduction of Machinery in Agriculture and Factories

•1804 – Governor Frederic North established a coffee mill for processing
coffee.
•Tea industry – Machines were used for drying, grading, and exporting tea.
•Rubber industry – Machines were used for processing rubber before
exporting.
•1885 – Introduction of the Macadam method for road construction.

2. Economic Changes
•Formation of a labor class – Workers in estates and factories were paid
salaries, leading to the emergence of a working class.
•Wealthy middle class – Landowners and factory owners became a rich and
educated group.
•Growth of capitalism – The import-export trade became dominant.
•Development of banking – Banks were established to facilitate
international trade transactions.

3. Development of Transport Infrastructure

•Need for efficient transport – Roads and railways were built to transport
estate products to markets and harbors.
•Roads:
-Colombo-Kandy road built by Governor Edward Barnes.
-Roads extended from Kandy to Kurunegala and Dambulla.
-Stone and tar roads replaced old roads.
-Wooden bridges replaced by iron bridges.
•Railways:
-1858 – Railway construction began under Governor Henry Ward.
-1863 – Completion of Colombo-Kandy railway.
-1867 – First train service from Colombo to Kandy.
-1871 – Railway extended to Nawalapitiya.
-1899 – Further extended to Bandarawela.

4. Urbanization and Trade Expansion

•New trade centers emerged due to transport development.
•Cities such as Gampola, Badulla, Ratnapura, and Matale grew in population.

5. Development of Communication Systems

 •1815 – An official postal system was established, connecting Colombo,
Trincomalee, Galle, Kandy, and Jaffna.
•Chariots were used for postal services, making Sri Lanka the first country
in Asia to introduce this system.
•1857 – The first Sri Lankan postal stamp was issued.
•1903 – 340 post offices were established across the country.
•1858 – The telegram service was introduced.