Chapter 17 827-861

The Industrial Revolution appeared in the eighteenth century. Throughout this time, a variety of innovations transformed the cotton textile production. Soon the industrial revolution spread beyond the textile industry. Agriculture was too affected as mechanical reaper, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and refrigeration transformed this most ancient of industries. in the twentieth century, the industrial revolution became global as a number of Asian, African, and Latin American countries developed substantial industrial sectors. This continuous growth of new techniques made it possible for the industrial revolution to have such environmental impact.

Why Britain?
Britain was the most highly commercialized of all Europe's countries. Britain's political life encouraged commercialization and economic innovation. Its policy of religious toleration formally established in 1688 and welcomed people of technical skills regardless of their faith. Europe's Scientific revolution also took a distinctive form in Great Britain in ways that supported technological innovation. Even though most inventors were artisans or craftsmen rather than scientists, Britain was in close contact with scientists, makers of scientific instruments, and entrepreneurs whereas in Europe, these groups were largely separated.

Those who benefitted most from the industrialization were members of the middle class. At its upper levels, the middle class contained extremely wealthy factory and mine owners, bankers, and merchants. Women in middle class families were homemakers, wives, and mothers. They were also expected to be the moral centers of the family. Male elites in many civilizations had long established their status by attaching women from productive labor.

Facing the World Economy
The second half of the nineteenth century was when many countries began to be stabilized. The new technology cut the sailing time between Britain and Argentina into almost half. The most significant economic outcome of this growing integration was a rapid growth of Latin America exports to the industrializing countries. Mexico continued to produce large amounts of silver supplying more than half the worlds supply until 1860.