The Spread of the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution, which began in the 18th century, was a time period marked by transition from an agricultural economy to an industrial one. It originated in Great Britain and spread from France and Germany between 1850 and 1870, while it spread to Russia in the 1890s.
Because the Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain, it established Britain's dominance and influence in Europe industrial-wise. Britain gained this through the use of mechanized textile production, iron and steel production and new transport systems. This was accomplished due to an abundance of coal, iron ore, and other essential raw materials, which promoted industrial growth. This growth could largely be accredited to economic institutions and human capital such as engineers, inventors and capitalists. English Parliament also promoted commercial and industrial interests because those interests were represented in Parliament. In Europe, as a whole, industry occurred in small pockets while being surrounded by traditional, agrarian economies. These other nations attempted to borrow or imitate the British Model, but each nation's experience with industrialization was shaped by its own matrix of geographic, social and political factors.
The British demonstrated the success of their economic model in 1851 with the Crystal Palace Exhibition in Hyde Park which was located in London. It was a huge glass and iron structure that was designed by Sir Joseph Paxton. The Great Exhibition of 1851 was a showcase meant to impress the world with Britain’s industrial achievements. Countries such as France, the United States, Russia, Turkey, and Egypt all attended. Exhibits typically fell into four main categories: Raw Materials, Machinery, Manufacturers and Fine Acts.
In the 1870s however, the European economy fluctuated widely because of changes in the behavior of the financial markets. In response to this, the continental states assisted and protected the development of nation industry through the creation of protective tariffs, military procurement , and colonial conquests. Governments were expected by corporations and industrialists to promote economic development through a number of ways as well, such as subsidizing ports, transportation and the creation of new inventions. This was accomplished through registering patents, sponsoring education, encouraging investments and enforcing contracts, and by maintaining order and preventing labor strikes. The 20th century saw state intervention reaching a cumulation when the governments of some countries took over the progression of the entire industrial development process. This was caused in part by the pressure of war and the depression.