Concept 3.1
The Industrial Revolution spread from Great Britain to the continent, where the state played a greater role in promoting industry.
The transition from an agricultural to an industrial economy began in Britain in the 18th century, spread to France and Germany between 1850 and 1870, and finally spread to Russia in the 1890s. The governments of these countries actively supported industrialization. In southern and eastern Europe, some pockets of industry developed, surrounded by traditional agrarian economies. Although continental nations sought to borrow from and in some instances imitate the British model -- the success of which was represented by the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1851 -- each nation's experience of industrialization was shaped by its own matrix of geographic, social, and political factors. The legacy of the revolution in France, for example, led to a more gradual adoption of mechanization in production, ensuring a more incremental industrialization than was the case in Britain. Despite the creation of a customs union in the 1830s, Germany's lack of political unity hindered its industrial development. However, following unification in 1871, the German Empire quickly came to challenge British dominance in key industries, such as steel, coal, and chemicals.
Beginning in the 1870s, the European economy fluctuated widely because of the vagaries of financial markets. Continental states responded by assisting and protecting the development of national industry in a variety of ways, the most important being protective tariffs, military procurements, and colonial conquests. Key economic stakeholders, such as corporations and industrialists, looked to national governments to promote economic development by subsidizing ports, transportation, and new inventions; registering patents and sponsoring education; encouraging investments and enforcing contracts; and maintaining order and preventing labor strikes. In the 20th century, some national governments assumed far-reaching control over their respective economies, largely in order to contend with the challenges of war and financial crises.
3.1.1: Great Britain established its industrial dominance through the mechanization of textile production, iron and steel production, and new transportation systems in conjunction with uniquely favorable political and social climates.
3.1.1.A: Britain’s ready supplies of coal, iron ore, and other essential raw materials promoted industrial growth.
3.1.1.B: Economic institutions and human capital such as engineers, inventors, and capitalists helped Britain lead the process of industrialization, largely through private initiative.
3.1.2: Following the British example, industrialization took root in continental Europe, sometimes with state sponsorship.
3.1.2.A: France moved toward industrialization at a more gradual pace than Great Britain, with government support and with less dislocation of traditional methods of production.
3.1.3: During the second industrial revolution (c. 1870–1914), more areas of Europe experienced industrial activity, and industrial processes increased in scale and complexity.
3.1.3.A: Mechanization and the factory system became the predominant modes of production by 1914.
The transition from an agricultural to an industrial economy began in Britain in the 18th century, spread to France and Germany between 1850 and 1870, and finally spread to Russia in the 1890s. The governments of these countries actively supported industrialization. In southern and eastern Europe, some pockets of industry developed, surrounded by traditional agrarian economies. Although continental nations sought to borrow from and in some instances imitate the British model -- the success of which was represented by the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1851 -- each nation's experience of industrialization was shaped by its own matrix of geographic, social, and political factors. The legacy of the revolution in France, for example, led to a more gradual adoption of mechanization in production, ensuring a more incremental industrialization than was the case in Britain. Despite the creation of a customs union in the 1830s, Germany's lack of political unity hindered its industrial development. However, following unification in 1871, the German Empire quickly came to challenge British dominance in key industries, such as steel, coal, and chemicals.
Beginning in the 1870s, the European economy fluctuated widely because of the vagaries of financial markets. Continental states responded by assisting and protecting the development of national industry in a variety of ways, the most important being protective tariffs, military procurements, and colonial conquests. Key economic stakeholders, such as corporations and industrialists, looked to national governments to promote economic development by subsidizing ports, transportation, and new inventions; registering patents and sponsoring education; encouraging investments and enforcing contracts; and maintaining order and preventing labor strikes. In the 20th century, some national governments assumed far-reaching control over their respective economies, largely in order to contend with the challenges of war and financial crises.
3.1.1: Great Britain established its industrial dominance through the mechanization of textile production, iron and steel production, and new transportation systems in conjunction with uniquely favorable political and social climates.
3.1.1.A: Britain’s ready supplies of coal, iron ore, and other essential raw materials promoted industrial growth.
3.1.1.B: Economic institutions and human capital such as engineers, inventors, and capitalists helped Britain lead the process of industrialization, largely through private initiative.
- The Crystal Palace at the Great Exhibition of 1851
- Banks
- Government financial awards to inventors
- Repeal of the Corn Laws
3.1.2: Following the British example, industrialization took root in continental Europe, sometimes with state sponsorship.
3.1.2.A: France moved toward industrialization at a more gradual pace than Great Britain, with government support and with less dislocation of traditional methods of production.
- Canals
- Railroads
- Trade agreements
- Zollverein
- Investment in a transportation network
- Adoption of improved methods of manufacturing
- Friedrich List’s National System
- Lack of resources
- Lack of adequate transportation
3.1.3: During the second industrial revolution (c. 1870–1914), more areas of Europe experienced industrial activity, and industrial processes increased in scale and complexity.
3.1.3.A: Mechanization and the factory system became the predominant modes of production by 1914.
- Manchester, England
- The Krupp family (Essen, Germany)
- Bessemer process
- Mass production
- Electricity
- Chemicals
- Telegraph
- Steamship
- Streetcars or trolley cars
- Telephones
- Internal combustion engine
- Airplane
- Radio