Economic And Social Change |
Economic and Social Change
During the period of 1815-1841, Britain was a changing country from being an agricultural nation into one of leading industrialise nation in the world. With Britain moving into a new world, it saw itself under go major economic and social changes. It saw an increase in the scale of production and a change in the working practices from the domestic (home environment) to a factory based system. During this change, Britain was often said to be in an Industrial, Agricultural or Transport Revolution.
But historians have argued the fact on the accuracy of the word "Revolution" during this period of time as it sometimes overlooks the continuity of what happened to Britain during this time i.e. certain industries such as farming or transport experienced a slow change because large farms were able to introduce new technology quicker than small farms.
The reasons behind these changes in Britain were due to number of factors
1. Population Growth
2. Availability Of Finance
3. Technological Developments
4. War
5. Transport
6. Improvements In Trading Arrangements
7. Relative Political Stability
The growth in population within in Britain took a rapid turn in the mid 18th Centurye mid 18th Century. This was due to the fall in number of deaths combined with improvements being made in the public health and also the increase number in birth rates
In the period of 1815 until 1841, there was a very small increase on the number of deaths in the country, this was in urban areas where the conditions of living were not that good. The population of England and Wales went from 10 million to 16 million between the years of 1815-1841 and the birth rate was also higher than the death rate.
During the 18th Century, the wealth was coming in from overseas trade and through the colonial expansion and the use of the Slave Trade and this was use for commercial investment in Britain.
New technological developments during the 18th Century came into the agriculture and industry as inventions such as the power loom, steam engine and puddling furnaces became the norm in British industries. This in-turn saw an increase in production.
Britain was at with France from the end of the 18th Century until the early part of 19th Century. The war increased the demands for goods to help the war effort e.g. metals for the weaponry.
Britain saw changes being made in number of transport sectors as improvements to the canal and road system and then later the introduction of the railways brought about the changed to help the transport of goods and people.
In 1823 and onwards, trading arrangements switch towards a free trade system. In 1830, changes in the legal system saw that companies would be regulated more effectively.
Britain at this time was experiencing stability as there was no social unrest whereas other places in Europe such as France were having social unrest
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