The Industrial Revolution in Great Britain
Berke Akgül
I. Introduction
The Industrial Revolution began in England in the second part of the 18th century, with the
introduction of mechanization and the discovery of the required power sources for the steam
industry. This revolution brought about a significant and fundamental transformation in the
country's manufacturing system and economy. The revolution that began in England
expanded to Northern Europe and North America subsequently. The revolution, which began
in the iron and steel and textile industries, gradually expanded to other sectors. While steam-
powered machinery and vehicles were among the primary causes of the Industrial Revolution,
these vehicles and equipment were subsequently replaced by electric and gasoline vehicles.
Among the causes of the Industrial Revolution were rapid population growth in Europe,
colonialism, technological advances in steam engines, the development of entrepreneurship
and commercial law, an increase in industrial investments, the development of capitalism, the
securing of economic and commercial rights, and private property.1
II. Reasons Why the Industrial Revolution First Started in England
For a long period, England had a constitutional monarchy. This order was founded on the
protection of individual rights and liberties, especially property rights. In the 18th century,
England was the world's financial hub, with the stock market and banking industries well
ahead of other countries. Following capitalism's ideals, Parliament abolished all barriers to
free competition in the home market. England also possessed large underground coal and iron
reserves, which were the most fundamental raw materials for manufacturing.
1
Haber Ortak, (March 2019)
Another reason was that, as Britain had the largest colonial empire in the world, there was
ample market potential for raw resources and finished products. Also, the royal navy and huge
merchant fleets simplified the transition. England's leading the European textile-knitting
industry since the Renaissance has also been an important factor for the industrial revolution.
III. Legal and Institutional Structures
It is debatable whether eighteenth-century England has become a more peaceful and calm
place than it used to be, but at least in the commercial and financial subjects, private dispute
resolution has prevailed over third-party sanctions.2 The majority of commerce was done
under informal standards of conduct, and the inculcation of honesty and accountability was
left to local reputation and religious morals.
According to economic theory, such behaviour is frequently related to an individual's efforts
to establish credibility with prospective business partners. Only the middle classes have to
attach to these standards. These norms did not apply to the working classes since they were
shut out of this society.3 As a result, these classes had to be subjugated by violence, which is
reflected in the harsh laws protecting property from them
The understanding that started in the Roman period and was accepted in the Ottoman Code of
Civil Law was that working is a transaction like labour rent or human rent and the contract of
service is subject to the principle of liberty of contract. 4 On the other hand, the liberal
understanding rejected all kinds of state intervention and left the regulation of the relationship
between the employer and the employee to the parties, actually, to the employer, who could
2
Mokyr, J. (Jan 2008) The Institutional Origins of the Industrial Revolution, Northwestern University Depts. of Economics
and History, p. 14
3
Mokyr, J. (Jan 2008) The Institutional Origins of the Industrial Revolution, p.15
4
Alp, M. (2017) DEU Law Faculty Opening Lesson
set rules and impose these rules on the employee. But the rights to protect employees such as
organizing, forming unions, and striking were not recognized to them.
The fact that production didn't stop throughout this time frame was crucial. But the working
conditions were too harsh for the workers to continue with production, and they soon began to
react to these conditions. This response was sparked by the need for a new economic and
governmental strategy as well as the notion of preserving social harmony and the protection
of individuals in a social and humanitarian manner.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the progress of industrialization's scientific and technological advancements
contributed to the simplification of daily life. However, these advancements went beyond the
creation of basic modern gadgets like computers and cell phones and also had a role in the
mass manufacture of weapons as well as the development and commercialization of new
biological or chemical weapons.5 The industrialization has changed human life in both
positive and harmful ways. The concern that needs to be stressed in this situation is how
civilizations will integrate these advances into their daily lives. It is impossible to guarantee
that any innovation will only result in good advancement; one must always take the situation's
drawbacks into account.
Around 20% of the world's societies underwent direct industrialization from the late
eighteenth to the late twentieth centuries. Currently, 40% of the world's population appears to
be performing better or worse than average, especially in light of the changes occurring in
China, India, Brazil, and other countries. 6 Globally, industrial change is still undergoing a
dynamism that is growing.
References:
5
Akagündüz, Ü. (November 2010) Sanayi Devrimi ve Sanayileşme, Research Gate
6
Stearns, P. N. (2021) The Industrial Revolution in World History
1. Mokyr, J. (Jan 2008) The Institutional Origins of the Industrial Revolution,
Northwestern University Depts. of Economics and History
2. Stearns, P. N. (2021) The Industrial Revolution in World History, Routledge 52
Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
3. Akagündüz, Ü. (November 2010) Sanayi Devrimi ve Sanayileşme, Research Gate,
Retrieved from:
researchgate.net/publication/233960519_Sanayi_Devrimi_ve_Sanayilesme
4. Haber Ortak, (March 2019), Retrieved from: stendustri.com.tr/haberortak/sanayi-
devrimi-nedir-tarihi-ve-sonuclari-h99489.html
5. Alp, M. (2017) DEU Law Faculty Opening Lesson Retrieved from:
https://hukuk.deu.edu.tr/acilis-dersi-2017-2018/
