The Industrial Revolution in Europe: The Rise of Coal and Iron Production
Summary
The industrial revolution, which began in Britain in the mid-18th century, saw the rise of steam power as the main source of energy, which replaced human, animal, and elemental strength. Britain dominated the production and consumption of coal due to early use of it as a source of energy and continued use of it. Coal mining was dangerous, and employers were often critical of their workers. The growth of the coal industry was paralleled by rapid expansion and technological change in ironmaking. Other European countries, such as Belgium, also saw an increase in coal and iron production, followed by the spread of technical innovations across the continent. The state played a significant role in providing the framework for industrialization by undertaking limited reforms of working conditions and funding the construction of roads, canals, and railways. Additionally, the distribution of natural resources and markets did not follow state boundaries, determining that industrialization would take place in regions that cut across them.
Table of Contents
- Coal Production in Britain
- Technological Change in Ironmaking
- Spread of Technical Innovations across Europe
- State Intervention in Industrialization
- Growth of Transportation and Communication
Coal Production in Britain
Q: Why did Britain dominate coal production and consumption during the industrial revolution?
A: Britain dominated coal production and consumption due to early use of coal as a source of energy and the continued use of it. Mines were sunk deeper to access more coal seams and production increased by bringing in more miners.
Q: Was coal mining dangerous during the industrial revolution?
A: Yes, coal mining was dangerous with many accidents and injuries. Employers sometimes made ex gratia payments to the injured or deceased, but were commonly critical of their workers. Safety improvements were slow, and the expansion of coalmining in Britain came at a high price.
Technological Change in Ironmaking
Q: How did ironmaking change during the industrial revolution?
A: The growth of the coal industry was paralleled by rapid expansion and technological change in ironmaking. By 1860, Britain was producing 60% of all pig iron manufactured in Europe due to the new technique of using coke as a heat source that was cheaper and more available than charcoal.
Spread of Technical Innovations across Europe
Q: Did other European countries see an increase in coal and iron production during the industrial revolution?
A: Yes, other European countries, such as Belgium, also saw an increase in coal and iron production followed by the spread of technical innovations across the continent. During the industrial revolution, many innovations came from Britain and were spread around Europe by foreign entrepreneurs and investors.
Q: Did the British government try to prevent the export of technical know-how?
A: Yes, the British government tried to prevent the export of technical know-how and passed laws forbidding the export of machinery and the emigration of artisans in the 1780s. However, these laws were unenforceable, and eventually, Britain’s export ban was replaced by a licensing system in the mid-1820s and was entirely done away with in 1843.
State Intervention in Industrialization
Q: Did the state play a role in providing the framework of industrialization?
A: Yes, the state played a significant role in providing the framework for industrialization by undertaking limited reforms of working conditions such as the Cotton Mills and Factories Act of 1819 and the Factory Act of 1833. The state was also involved in the expansion of industry and transportation, such as funding the construction of roads, canals, and railways, investing heavily in them, and easing legislation for banks to provide loans to businesses.
Q: Did the state own any industries during the industrial revolution?
A: Yes, the state played a prominent role in industrialization in Europe, owning coal mines, ironworks, salt production facilities, and textile mills. The Prussian Overseas Trading Corporation, which owned textile mills, chemical works, and machine-building factories, made loans to struggling industrial companies. However, its activities in subsidizing loss-making enterprises with taxpayers’ money got it into trouble, and its involvement gradually decreased, except in the railways where strategic considerations were more important than economic ones.
Growth of Transportation and Communication
Q: How did transportation and communication change during the industrial revolution?
A: The distribution of natural resources and markets did not follow state boundaries, determining that industrialization would take place in regions that cut across them. Industrial growth depended on cheap, rapid, and effective means of communication, and in the first half of the century, waterways were by far the most efficient means of communication for the transport of bulk goods, industrial raw materials, and goods for export. Waterways like canals were constructed for specifically industrial or trading purposes, and governments were active sponsors of these projects. The steam power rapidly revolutionized travel and transport by river, canal, and sea.
Conclusion
The industrial revolution saw significant changes in the way energy was produced, and transportation and communication took place. The rise of coal and iron production, which began in Britain, was followed by other European countries’ expansion in these industries. The state played a significant role in providing the framework for industrialization through reforms and funding construction projects. The use of steam power revolutionized transportation and communication and facilitated the spread of technical innovations in Europe.
