Industrial Revolution, but power machinery created a new system. Power machinery meant great efficiency, more goods and greater freedom for manufacturers to locate plants where labor was scarcer. Power was originally supplied by animals or water. During the 18th century, steam power, a far greater force, was harnessed by several inventors, including Thomas Newcomer, who invented the steam pump, and James Watt, who invented the steam engine. At the same time, during the industrial revolution, factories were criticized for long work hours, miserable conditions, and low wages. Children as young as 5 and 6 could be forced to work a 12-16 hour day and earn as little as 4 shillings per week.Finally the British parliament passed three acts that helped regulate child labor. Transportation The factories produced goods with greater efficiency, but required more raw materials and more fuel. This created a demand for better means of transportation. In the 18th century, wagons replaced pack-horse trains, and new roads were built. However, the roads were poorly constructed and it was not until the turn of century that macadam roads were built. A network of canals further improved transportation in the 18th century. The development of the steamboat and the locomotive engine in the 19th century greatly enhanced the speed of shipping raw materials and manufactured products. Economy Because of the increased production of machinery which further forwarded industrial advances in technology, the products of city factories became cheaper and more
available. As a result, industrial businesses received more income from consumers’ purchases. Thus, the theory of capitalism developed, in which British factory owners, entrepreneurs, and other businessmen worked to promote more international commerce for Britain and support an increase in profits on British industrial goods. As a result, factory owners were able to provide their workers with higher wages and better working conditions.Capitalists provided the workers with the raw materials, paid wages, and sold the finished products. With the increase in goods the economy began to surge up. The only way for the industrial revolution to continue expanding was through individual investors or financiers. This led to the founding of banks to help regulate and handle the flow ofmoney, and by 1800 London had around 70 banks. As the price of machinery and factories climbed the people who had the ability to provide capital became extremely important. Britain obtained much capital from its many new international trading ventures with major nations, almost dealing with the exchange of new and improved industrial machinery. Thus, Great Britain grew to become the most powerful manufacturing nation and the strongest economically, in all of Europe. As British incoming finances grew and increased, citizens were able to move up the rungs of the social class ladder in British society, thus improving their financial and educational statuses. Politics Although Britain had become a constitutional monarchy several years earlier than the revolution, the vast
majority of the population remained disenfranchised from the electoral system. As industrial strength grew along with a more forcible middle class, electoral reform was a necessity to balance the new society's power structure. Let’s look at the detail information about this. Before 1832, only 6% of the male population could vote - represented by aristocrats who owned large plots of land in the countryside and other property. By 1832, the middle class factory owners wanted political power to match their new-found economic funds - this resulted in the Reform Bill of 1832 which enfranchised 20% of the male population to vote. The Reform Bill also redistributed electoral districts to better reflect the large populations of city centers. Before, most of the electoral power could be found in the countryside where aristocrats owned vast properties. The middle-class became more or less satisfied, but workers were still not represented by the British electoral system.The industrial revolution was the driving force behind social change between the 18th and 19th centuries. England had already been well on its way toward becoming a major workshop of the world. During the century, human power was rapidly being supplanted by machine power; the domestic system was being replaced by the factory system; and a substantial part of the population was moving to industrial towns and cities. In my opinion, the industrial revolution playedthe vital role. First of all, it is not only the British industrial development to increase productivity, but also indicates the
rapid development of science and technology. Secondly, the famous scientisthelped to reduce the workforce and enhance the industrial development speed. However, due to the industrial revolution, the consolidation of the economicbase and superstructure set up, but masses of people were still in poverty, unemployment. Cyclical economic crisis also produced a new social contradiction. Overall industrial revolution not only brings benefits to the people, but also for people irreparable loss.
Though the Birtish Industrial Revolution brings about us a lot of advantages,it makes the world worse.One of the most important and serious is the problem of environment.With the development of science and technology,more and more polluted things are released to the world,such as the polluted water ,polluted air which is poisonous and warming air.As a result,water is polluted,air is polluted and the temperature is becoming higher and higher.A lot of ice-capped mountains is melting in the North Pole and the South Pole.And the revolution also brings the poor problem and more criminal activities.
The British Industrial Revolution has a great effect on all over the world.And it changes the world greatly.I think it is the crystal of woisdom.Though it brings about so many disadvantages,it is a great event in the history of the world.In my opinion,it is changes that makes our world better and better.
参考文献：
Shi Yi-hui《Studies of English Poor Children's Life in 19th Century 》
保尔·芒图．《十八世纪的产业革命——英国近代大工业初期的概况》
克拉潘．《现代英国经济史》
]R. M. Hartwell. 《The Industrial Revolution and Economic Growth 》 Peter Mathial.《 The First Industrial Nation》
Neil J. Smelser.《 Social Change in the Industrial Revolution》 Clark Nardinelli.《 Child Labour and the Industrial Revolution》 B. L. Hutchins and A. Harrison.《 A History of Factory Legislation》