Why Britain?

Why did the Industrial Revolution begin in Britain? Historians have

identified a number of key factors that helped Britain take an early
lead in industry.
Though relatively a small nation on an
island, Britain had large supplies of coal as
a power source. Coal became a source of
fuel for newly invented machinery. Coal is
a black-looking rock found inside mines
and the earth. Material found within the
earth is called a natural resource. Britain
also had plentiful iron to build new,
strong, efficient machines. Iron is a type
of metal that is very strong. It can be
melted with fire, which allows a person to
bend the metal in any way he or she uses.

Another reason why Britain was the first to country to begin

industrialization was due to the Agriculture Revolution. The
Agriculture Revolution contributed to a large growth of population.
Precise population statistics for the 1700s are rare, but those that do
exist are striking. Britains population, for example, soared (rose) from
about 5 million in
1700 to almost 9
million in 1800.
The population
boom in Britain in
the 1700s was due
more to declining
death rates than to
rising birth rates
however. The Agricultural Revolution reduced the risk of famine.
Because they ate better, women were healthier and had stronger
babies. Additionally, new discoveries in medicine during the Scientific
Revolution helped fight more disease.
A large number of workers were needed to mine the coal and iron,
build factories, and run the machines. The Agricultural Revolution of
the 1600s and 1700s freed many men and women in Britain from farm
labor. Thus, more workers found jobs in coalmines, which led to a large
supply of coal. With a larger population, more people could be put to
work. More people meant more coal dug up in the mines. More

workers meant more laborers to build machines. More coal and more
machines meant more items produced. Within a hundred years, people
had plenty, and Britain began to make a large sum of cash by trading
surplus (extra) goods to other countries.
In the 1700s, trade from a growing overseas empire helped the British
economy prosper. Because of their colonies, Britain was able to have
access to supplies and natural resources that may perhaps been
unavailable in Britain. Trade between Britain and the colonies also
allowed the British to accumulate (obtain) capital (money), which
allowed the British to invest capital in enterprises (businesses) such
as mines, railroads, and factories. More money
led to higher pay, and increased motivation of
workers.
Finally, Britain was able to lead the way to
industrialization due to its geography. Britain
being an island was able to avoid the spread of
revolutionary ideas that was sweeping across
Europe (France, Spain, Austria, Belgium). Since
the British government provided its citizens with
natural rights, the British was able to
concentrate all its money and time into creation
of factories, instead of having to focus time,
capital, and manpower into putting down
rebellions. By the end of 1700s, Britain was
light-years ahead of the rest of Europe in
manufacturing (making things) and in
technology.

Part 1 Answer the following multiple-choice

questions:
1) The influence of geographic factors in England was most evident in
the development of
A) the Anglican Church under Henry VIII
B) English literature under Elizabeth I
C) the English industrial system
D) The English Constitutional Monarchy
2) The industrial Revolution began as a result of Englands
A) waterways

B) abundant natural resources of coal and iron

C) trade with the Americas
D) effective parliamentary government

3) Use the map below and label Britain

Part 2 Answer the following question in a response of at least EIGHT

SENTENCES.
Why was Britain an ideal place to start the Industrial Revolution? Would
you want to live in England at this time? Why or why not? Be sure to
provide CLEAR EXAMPLES in your response and DEFEND your opinion
with evidence.
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