The Industrial Revolution

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the Industrial Revolution that started in Great Britain in the latter part of Eighteenth Century is considered by some historians to be the most significant transformation in the economic environment of human civilization after the agricultural revolution. While it rapidly took root in certain parts of the world, e.g., in Great Britain to start with, followed by certain countries of Western Europe and the United States, large parts of the world, in particular, Africa, remained untouched by it. It discusses the causes of the Industrial Revolution and identifies the countries that were most affected by it and why. It also explains the effect of the Industrial Revolution on the world economy and focuses on why the phenomenon missed Africa altogether.

Outline
Causes of the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution beyond Britain
Africa and Reasons for Its Underdevelopment
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The most important reason behind the "revolution" was the advancement in scientific knowledge in Europe following the Renaissance (14th to 17th century), and change in the outlook of people following the age of Enlightenment. As such change in thinking also applied to several other European countries, it is pertinent to ask: why did the industrial revolution start in Great Britain and not elsewhere? The short answer to the question is that the social, political, and legal conditions in the country were ripe for such a movement in the 18th century more so than the other European countries. For example, the property rights in the country, such as those for patents on new inventions were well established at the time. By the 1700s, Britain had known political stability for some time, and there was less interference from the government in the country's economy than most other countries."

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