The Industrial Revolution

Beginning sometime in the late eighteenth century a number of changes took place which transformed Britain into an industrial and urbanised society. The changes involved were: Industry became the foundation of the nation’s economy rather than agriculture.The bulk of the population became urban dwellers as towns developed on the coalfields of Britain.Most industrial activity took place in purpose-built factories, rather than people’s houses.Steam became the main source of power to drive machinery, rather than muscle, animal and water power.There was a rapid growth of industrial output leading to the development of a large export trade.The industrial changes brought widespread social repercussions on the way people lived, worked and played. It has become usual for historians to describe these changes as the ‘Industrial Revolution’. This is a convenient term, but also one which has engendered widespread debate.