Question

Give any four important reasons to explain why the Industrial Revolution started in England.

Answer 1

The important reasons that explain why the Industrial Revolution started in England were:

1. Surplus Capital – Economic growth and an increased overseas trade led to an accumulation of enormous wealth in England. This surplus capital was used in the development of new industries and setting up of new factories.
2. Stable Government – Political stability in England provided conditions that were favourable for economic growth.
3. Agricultural Revolution – There was an agricultural revolution that preceded the Industrial Revolution. This was due to the consolidation of land holdings through the enclosures and improvement in agricultural methods, such as, alternating between fallow and tillage land, which increased England’s agricultural output.
4. Availability of Cheap Labour – The mechanization of agriculture led to large scale unemployment of fanners who migrated to towns and cities in search of jobs, and were ready to work in factories at low wages.
   The Enclosure Movement had led to the takeover of land by rich landlords and so the takeover of land by rich landlords and so the small landless fanners also migrated to towns and cities in search of employment in factories. The provided a readily available pool of cheap labour.
5. Availability of Coal and Iron – Coal and iron — the two essential resources necessary for the growth of industries were available in abundance in northern England. Many industrial towns and cities were located in this region.