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The Industrial Revolution: machines, factories and railways
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From the 1700s Britain changed from a country of farms and workshops into the world's first industrial nation.
Why Britain?
Britain had plenty of coal and iron, rivers and canals for transport, money from trade and empire to invest, and a growing population to work and buy goods.
In 1709 Abraham Darby smelted iron using coke (made from coal) at Coalbrookdale.
In 1709 Abraham Darby smelted iron using coke (made from coal) at Coalbrookdale.
New machines
Textiles led the way. James Hargreaves invented the spinning jenny in the 1760s. Richard Arkwright patented the water frame in 1769 and built Cromford Mill in 1771, one of the first factories.
James Watt greatly improved the steam engine from the 1760s. Steam power meant factories no longer had to be next to rivers.
James Watt greatly improved the steam engine from the 1760s. Steam power meant factories no longer had to be next to rivers.
Railways and towns
George and Robert Stephenson's locomotive Rocket won the Rainhill trials in 1829. The Liverpool and Manchester Railway opened in 1830, the first inter-city railway carrying passengers with steam trains.
People moved from the countryside to work in factories. The 1851 census showed that, for the first time, more people in Britain lived in towns than in the countryside.
People moved from the countryside to work in factories. The 1851 census showed that, for the first time, more people in Britain lived in towns than in the countryside.
Why did steam power change where factories were built?
- Early factories used water wheels, so they had to be beside fast rivers.
- Steam engines burned coal to make power anywhere.
- So factories could be built in towns, near workers, coal and transport.
Answer: Steam engines freed factories from rivers, so industry grew in towns and cities.
Britain had coal, iron, capital, transport and workers. Darby (1709), Hargreaves, Arkwright (1769, Cromford 1771), Watt's steam engine, Rocket (1829), Liverpool and Manchester Railway (1830). By 1851 most people lived in towns.
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