The Industrial Revolution in Britain

Essay from the year 2009 in the subject History Europe - Other Countries - Modern Times, Absolutism, Industrialization, grade: B, , course: Diploma, language: English, abstract: The Industrial Revolution was a period in the 18th and 19th Centuries where rapid change took place in agriculture, manufacturing, production and transport. Every aspect of daily life was affected in some way. A massive turning point was reached in human society with effects on cultural, social and economic conditions in Britain.

The causes for Britain's industrialisation were population increase and the Napoleonic wars. These two major events created a massive demand for the production of coal, iron and steam power. The domestic market was the biggest user of coal from 1700-1830; iron was needed for weapons; and woollen items needed for servicemen. Coal was required for heating people's homes and for cooking and washing. A rise in the coal consumption caused the iron industry to be the third biggest consumer in 1830. Eight tons of coal was required for every ton of iron produced.