THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

"Industrial Revolution " is a convenient phrase to describe the change from an agrarian and maritime economy to an industrialized economic system, which gathered momentum in Britain around the 1780s. The term came into general use during the 19^th century after the lectures given by the economic historian Arnold Toynbee. He felt that Britain had undergone such a radical transformation that the word "revolution" was an appropriate description.

"The chief features of the Industrial Revolution" is a passage from a book written by Arnold Toynbee. It is an argumentative text, an account of the Industrial Revolution, which is an historical process. The process is something of dynamic that implies the transformation of the existing reality therefore fixed dates cannot be given.

The essence of the Industrial Revolution, according to Arnold Toynbee's thought , is the substitution of competition for the medieval regulations which had previously controlled the production and distribution of wealth.

This process did not affect England only but the whole world. Europe owes to the Industrial Revolution the born of two new system of thought: the first is called ECONOMIC SCIENCE and the second, SOCIALISM (which is in antithesis with the first). The development of Economic Science in England has four chief landmarks. The first is the publication of "The Wealth of Nations"  by Adam Smith, published in 1776, at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. It became the landmark of economic science and it investigated the causes of wealth. Adam Smith wanted to find out the reaches and the power of the country. The second landmark in the development of the economic science is represented by another book: "Essay on Population" ,written by Malthus and  published in 1798. Malthus directed his inquires to the causes of poverty. The third stage is marked by Ricardo's "The Principles of Political Economy and Taxation" , published in 1817. Ricardo sought to ascertain in the laws that regulated distribution of wealth. He showed how wealth is distributed under such a system, a problem which could not have occurred to any one before his time. Last but not least, the four landmark is "Principles of Political Economy" written by John Stuart Mill, published in 1848. He demonstrated the differences between the laws of production and the laws of distribution. The writer wants to discuss how wealth ought to be distributed ; very important is his effort to show that the distribution of wealth is the result of "particular social arrangements".

Coming to the Industrial Revolution, we can notice two facts : the growth of population and the decline in the agricultural population.

The application of technology to farming methods caused an Agricultural Revolution, which was linked to the Industrial Revolution. The most effective agricultural changes which led to this noticeable decrease in the rural population were three: the first was the destruction of common-field system of cultivation, the second was the enclosure of common and waste lands and the third was the consolidation of small farms into larger farms. The other causes concern to agricultural advance were: new system of cultivation (rotation of crops, breed of cattle, steam engine and agricultural society), the fields moved in their growth from arable land to pasture, more rational and scientific approach to cultivation, society were instituted and a lot of machines were invented.

There were a lot of change in the standard of living of rural population.

The use of new machines helped change farming into a more machines activity ,and decreased the need for manual labour. These factors drove more agricultural worker into the town in search of work. These involved the substitution of family system to factory system. During this period were born four important technological innovations: the spinning jenny, the steam-engine, the water frame and power-loom; but there were also the mule and the self acting mule.

Furthermore, the expansion of trade and the great advance made in the means of communication contribute to the growth of the factory system and commerce: the canal system was being rapidly developed throughout the country, the roads were improved, the first rail-road was opened and turnpike road was upgraded.

Richness was not distributed homogeneously: workers were very poor by reason of a fall in wages, rise of rents and conditions of labour under the factory system; but capitalists lived in luxury and without any difficulties.