Читать книгу Anglo-American Cultural Studies - Jody Skinner - Страница 93

workshop of the worldworkshop of the world with inventions and innovationsWe’ve just looked at one unsuccessful rebellion after one Glorious RevolutionGlorious Revolution. Before ending this section called from Restoration to the HanoversHanovers, we need to glance at yet another revolution that started roughly in the middle of the 18^th century and continued throughout the next century, which began in the northern part of EnglandEngland and ultimately not only changed Britain but also the entire world. The Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution made the North of England the manufacturing center of Britain and for a while at least “the workshop of the worldworkshop of the world.” During the 19^th century this area led the world in many industrial fields: iron, steamships, railway engineering, bridge-building, industrial machinery, iron and steel production as well as textile production. The first railroad connection between LiverpoolLiverpool and ManchesterManchester allowed goods and people to be transported at speeds not known before to mankind. ScotlandScotland and WalesWales also played a part: GlasgowGlasgow as a “dear dirty city,” the valleys of iron and steel in south Wales. Production grew rapidly as the economy changed from an agrarian handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and manufacturing. An increase in population led to increased demand. Inventions like the steam engine and spinning machines greatly increased efficiency. Innovations included substituting inanimate for animal sources of powerpower, machines for human skills and strength, new methods of making iron and steel, organization of work in large factories and mills. The Industrial Revolution brought an increase in wealth and [69]commercial and political supremacy to Britain but also included destruction of the environment, the growth of slums in industrial cities, bad conditions for factory workers, and child labor. The positive effects of the Industrial Revolution are the reason for it being honored on the £50 note with the Scottish engineer who designed the Steam Engine, James WattWatt, James, and his business partner Matthew BoultonBoulton, Matthew.