The Industrial Revolution covered an important role in the history  ; it brought radical changes in England and in the western world. This historical process also led the growth of two system of thought: Economic science and Socialism.

The first cause of change seems to have been the rapid growht of population (from around 6 million in 1700 to 11 million in 1801), particularly in the towns.

The growth of population and the decline of rural population was due to :

-          the destruction of the common-field system of cultivation

-          the enclosure of common and waste lands

-          the consolidation of small farms into large

An agrarian revolution also plays a foundamental role.  It was characterized by the substitution of scientific for unscientific culture: there was a more scientific approach. As a consequence the period was one of great agricultural advance: the breed of cattle was improved, rotation of crops was introduced, the steam-plough was invented and agricultural societies were instituted.

According to manufactures there was the substitution of the factory for the house system, that was due to the mechanical innovations of the time : the spinning-jenny, the water frame, Crompton’s mule and the self-acting mule. Furthermore iron industry was revolutionated by the introduction of  pit-coal and the application of steam engine to blast urnaces.

All these innovations caused a development in commerce and trade. Therefore there was the necessity of new roads. The canal system was rapidly developed throughout the country and a new rail road was opended. These improvement caused an extraordinary increase in commerce.

Follows a revolution in distribution of wealth and  an enourmous rise in rents caused by  enclosure system, consolidation of farms and high price of corn.

Lst but not least there was a social revolution and some changements of political power: the farmers acquired a most important position in society. Furthermore the ralations between master and workmen disappeared.