How Environmental Conditions in Britain led to Early Industrialization
- Easy access to raw materials such as coal and iron
- Many navigable rivers and canals that helped facilitate trade
- Already high agricultural productivity allowed people to work other jobs not related to agriculture such as factory jobs
- High agricultural yields led to high populations and a large labor force
- Due to the isolation of the island, Britain was peaceful and able to avoid ongoing conflicts in Europe, allowing them to industrialize.
- Rivers not only provided transportation routes but also was able to power mills
- Agricultural stability lead to the demand for new products, forcing Britain to industrialize
Synthesis
A trend that has continued through multiple periods has been that civilizations develop and thrive in areas rich in resources. Similar to the way that the abundant coal and rivers allowed for development in Britain, In Egypt, the Nile river serves the same way. Historically the Nile river allowed for the development of society as it provided an oasis of natural resources, but even today the Nile river is essential for the Egyptian people as a source of water and much more. Both society in Britain and in Egypt depended on the natural resources in their environment in order to develop.
General Purpose Steam Engine
- First created by James Watt but later refined by many others to make it fully effective
- The steam engine allowed the usage of rivers and canals more effectively for trade, as steam boats more maneuverable than sailboats
- Transportation became much more effective as far away distances were suddenly easily accessible
- Ease of transportation led to the laying of thousand of kilometers of railroads, changing the landscape drastically
- Connected the many mines, industrial centers and port cities
- Lead to the start of pollution by corporations
- Steam engine lead to the increase of coal mining which in turn lead to the introduction of lead and sulfur
- As a result of the steam engine, coal production increased massively as the new engine was able to power pumps that could assist workers by pumping water out of the mine
- Increased coal production lead to the ability to be able to power many more inventions leading to widespread innovation and production of goods
Synthesis
Similar to what happened in the Tang and Song dynasties in the post-classical period, in modern Britain, large agricultural yields led to population growth and eventually to urbanization and industrialization. While the advancements in the Tang's and Song's urbanization were not nearly on the scale on those that happened in Britain, the reason for their urbanization was the same. In both instances, agricultural stability lead to larger populations and labor forces, which paved the way for urbanization, and industrialization uniquely in Britain.
Self Made Enhancement
Video
Watch from 2:12-3:55 (Tubechop wasn't working)