Great Britain was the world’s leading commercial nation during the Industrial Revolution. It controlled worldwide trade and industry due to technological improvements, imperial reach, naval force, and effective finance systems.
By the mid-18th century, Britain had already become the world’s premier commercial power, thanks to its colonial empire, strong navy, and dominant trading position. British colonies in North America, the Caribbean, and India played important roles. For example, the East India Company increased British dominance in India, notably in provinces such as Mughal Bengal, which was heavily proto-industrialized and resource-rich. This large empire supplied raw supplies, labor, and markets, resulting in the economic circumstances required for an industrial boom.
British inventors started to work on this fruitful ground. James Watt improved the steam engine, making it a useful power source for industry. James Hargreaves invented the spinning jenny and the power loom, which changed the textile industry. Cloth, which was formerly painstakingly crafted by hand, could now be manufactured swiftly and cheaply in factories as a result of these developments. Eli Whitney’s cotton gin accelerated the processing of raw cotton, causing the boom.
By the 1780s, Britain was on a roll. Factories sprouted up, complete with rows of new machinery that required personnel to operate them. People abandoned their rural homes, drawn by the prospect of steady employment in these expanding industrial towns. The streets of Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham were alive with activity as Britain developed into a manufacturing powerhouse.