Industrial revolution

By the early 18^th century simply machines had already been invented for basic jobs - mass production became possible. The next step for industrial revolution was fuel – not wood, but coal to transform iron into good steel and iron – Britain became the leading iron producer. In 1764 a spinning machine was invented. But this machinery forced a lot of people out of work. Riots occurred, led by the unemployed who had been replaced by machines.

The slavery was abolished by law in 1807, but in colonies it was ended in 1833.

In 1793 Britain went into war with Napoleon (later than other countries). Admiral Horatio Nelson beat the French army at Copenhagen (Egypt) and Trafalgar (1805). In 1805 a British army landed in Portugal to fight the French. The leader was Wellington. After several victories he invaded France.

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

Britain in the nineteenth century was at its most powerful. British factories were producing more than any other country in the world. Britain’s empire was political and the power was used to control large areas.

After Napoleonic war in 1815 there was no longer such a need for factory-made products and many lost their jobs. The army officers also became unemployed.

The Whigs (Liberals) wanted enough change to avoid revolution. In 1832 the Lords (after the Commons) accepted the Reform Bill. Working together unions put forward a People’s Charter in 1838. The Charter demanded rights that are now accepted by everyone: the vote for all adult, the right for a man without property to be a MP, an election every year. All of these demands were refused by the House of Commons.

The country became powerful because it had enough coal, iron and steel which could be exported and used to produce heavy industrial goods. Woolen and cotton cloth was cheap and very good, it was also exported a lot. Nearly half the world’s total shipping belonged to Britain. The industrial empire was supported by a strong banking system.

Politics

In 1865 a much striker “two party” system developed. Much of what we know today s the modern state was built in 1869s and 70s. In 1872 voting was carried out secretly for the first time. Democracy grew quickly. House of Commons grew in size to over 650 members, the House of Lords lost the power.

Queen Victoria came to the throne as a young woman in 1837 and reigned until 1901.

Britain’s empire lost the American colonies in 1783, so Britain watched the ocean trade routes carefully and fought the wars to protect them. In 1839 it attacked China and made it allow Britain trade opium from India to China. Another reason for the interest in colonies was increasing population of Britain. There was marked increase in settlements in Canada, Australia, New Zealand. It prepared the way from empire to a British “Commonwealth of nations”.

Between 1875 and 1914 the conditions of the poor improved as prices fell and real wages doubled. Most homes had lighting and heating, poor families could eat better food (meat, milk, vegetables). Two Education Acts were passed (1870-91): all children had to go to school up to the age of 13 (they were taught reading, writing and arithmetic).

The authority of the church weakened: churches were half empty, because people went to towns where they stopped going to church (19% of Londoners were regular churchgoers). In 1857 Charles Darwin published “The origin of Species”. That led to crisis in the Church.

New ways of spending time appeared. The invention of the bicycle was also. By the end of the 19^th century two sports, cricket and football, had become of great interest.

In 1911 the Parliamentary Act was produced, where the House of Lords lost many rights: they couldn’t turn down the laws but only delay them not more than for 2 years, they had no right to question financial legislation and so on.

But by the end of the century Britain lost many advantages over other countries. Of cause Britain was the leader in shipping, in telegraphic communication, London was the centre of international financial system. But suddenly the British realized that other countries have more powerful armies, trading system and industries (Germany and the USA).

The danger of war with Germany brought France and Britain together. In 1914 Germany and Austria-Hungary had a military alliance. Russia and France made one also. In July 1914 Austria-Hungary declared on Serbia following the murder of Austrian Archduke in Sarajevo. Russia had promised to defend Serbia and declared war on Austria-Hungary, which was supported by Germany. In August 1914 Germany had to go through Belgium to attack France. Britain immediately declared the war, because it had promise to guarantee Belgium’s neutrality.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1110