Global Impact of the European Industrial Revolution

Origins of the Industrial Revolution in Britain

Although the Industrial Revolution evolved out of antecedents that occurred over a long period of time, historians generally agree that it had its beginnings in Britain in the second half of the 18th century. By 1850, the Industrial Revolution had made Great Britain the wealthiest country in the world; by that time, it had also spread to the European continent and the New World.

Urbanization and the Great Migration

Most of the European population continued living in rural settlements, but cities developed rapidly. Agrarian activities were progressively mechanized, and less labor was needed. Many rural workers moved to the cities to find jobs, a phenomenon known as rural exodus or rural migration.

Because cities could not always absorb such a large rural migration, millions of Europeans migrated to other continents (transoceanic migration). Key destinations included:

• The United States
• Brazil and Canada
• Argentina
• Australia and New Zealand

Obstacles to Continental Industrialization

In 1815, Belgium, France, and the German states were still largely agrarian. While they experienced population growth and agricultural improvements, they lagged behind Britain due to several factors:

• Lack of good roads and difficult river transit.
• Toll stations on important rivers.
• Customs barriers along state boundaries that increased prices.

The Influence of the Napoleonic Era

Between 1790 and 1812, the upheavals associated with the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars disrupted communications. This made it difficult for continental countries to keep up with new British technology. While the temporary elimination of British textiles revived the woolen industry in France and Belgium, the return of cheap British goods after 1815 caused the European textile industry to suffer.

Technical Knowledge and Global Competition

The lack of technical knowledge was initially a major obstacle. However, continental countries possessed the advantage of borrowing British techniques. To prevent this, the British government implemented restrictions:

• Until 1825, British artisans were prohibited from leaving the country.
• Until 1842, the export of textile machinery and parts was forbidden.

The Shift in Industrial Leadership

To conclude, by the end of the 19th century, both Germany and the United States would eventually surpass Britain in total industrial production.