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Home The Industrial Revolution and Social Progress, 1750-1909 The Industrial Revolution (before 1815) Industrial Revolution; Part 4 |
Industrial Revolution; Part 4In the earlier part of the eighteenth century the roads had been indescribably bad. One contemporary measured ruts a foot deep in one of the most important roads in the north, and found some roads in Sussex which a wet winter would make impassable even during the following summer, whilst in Scotland Reeled traffic on the roads was impossible. In the second half of the century, however, the roads in Great Britain were vastly improved, and just before the end of the period - in 1811 - John Macadam reported to Parliament the new method of making roads which has made his name so familiar. The stage coach had been introduced as early as 1640; but in 1784 a man named Palmer introduced new mail coaches for passengers and mails which went with far greater regularity and swiftness than their predecessors.New methods in agriculture, new inventions in manufactures, improved means of communication, all had their share in developing the prosperity of Great Britain, and in justifying the name usually applied to this period in our economic history, that of the " Industrial Revolution ". The influence of the great wars, however, in developing our commerce must not be forgotten. " War fosters commerce, and commerce fosters war", is the dictum of a distinguished historian; and though this may not apply to the modern world, the saying was true at this time of our own country, which was never invaded. In every war our imports and exports increased; and, above all, there was an immense extension of our merchant shipping, which was to become, in the nineteenth century, our most important industry. The development of commerce was especially striking during the wars between 1793 and 1815. British shippers had the monopoly of the carrying trade; because under no other European flag were goods even moderately safe. British manufacturers were encouraged by the needs of war and by the practical suspension of manufactures in many parts of the Continent. British farmers, secure from foreign competition, obtained high prices for their corn. Great Britain indeed obtained during these years a lead which she was not to lose for some time. |
Chronology |
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