The Genesis of Modern Industry: 1st Industrial Revolution

The First Industrial Revolution (1760–1830)

The Industrial Revolution represented a complete transformation in techniques, energy sources, and work organization, resulting in tremendous growth in production. These economic changes occurred in the last third of the eighteenth century in the UK and subsequently spread to other parts of Europe. This period also brought about major social changes. These social and economic shifts, known as the Industrial Revolution (IR), marked the passage from a traditional agricultural society to an industrial and modern one. The First Industrial Revolution began in Britain around 1760.

Until this period, manufactured goods were primarily produced in workshops. From the late seventeenth century, however, workshops began to be replaced by factories—large establishments employing a significant number of laborers working with machines.

Key Causes of Industrialization

• Emergence of the Capitalist Mentality: Based on personal gain, this mentality was closely linked to the rising social class of the bourgeoisie.
• Population Growth: This facilitated the process of industrialization by providing both manpower for the industry and a broader market for goods.
• Agricultural Revolution: A significant increase in agricultural production, achieved through improved techniques and increased investment in the field. This ensured more food for the population and agricultural raw materials for industry.
• Technological Innovations: Such as the steam engine, which allowed industry to increase productivity—producing more with less effort.

Technological Drivers and Core Industries

The Steam Engine and Energy Sources

The steam engine, perfected by James Watt (1776), was a key element for increasing production and productivity in the factories of the First Industrial Revolution. It was crucial because it provided the necessary energy to move the machines. Consequently, the coal used by this machine became the primary energy source of this industrialization period.

The Textile Industry (1780–1830)

The textile industry was dominant from 1780 to 1830. It was the fastest to adopt technical innovations, notably with the appearance of the power loom, making it the first sector to fully adapt to the factory system.

Reasons for Expansion:

• Its expansion was based on cotton, a fabric that adapted well to different climates, unlike others such as wool.
• The role of the English domestic market (fueled by the demographic revolution) was very important for expansion, as were the external British colonies.

The intense need for labor in the factories and the search for greater profit led many employers to exploit workers, often utilizing child labor.

The Steel Industry (Post-1830)

The steel industry became dominant from 1830 onward. It required a large investment of money, implying the emergence of corporations.

Technological Innovations in Steel:

The most important technological innovations for its development were the increased efficiency obtained by using coking coal and the puddling and rolling technique, which allowed impurities to be removed, resulting in high-quality refined iron.