Economy

Laissez-faire economics 

Perhaps England’s Industrial Revolution would have failed to succeed if not for the fertile economic climate at the time. Some argue that “progressive liberation of English manufactures from government restrictions and their relative freedom from government control” fostered an encouraging environment for the Industrial Revolution (2 p. 174).

Economy booms 

Britain’s gross national product increased “fourfold at constant prices between 1780 and 1851” (1 p. 694). At the time economists, like Thomas Malthus, were concerned that while production and profits were up so was population growth which they expected would be detrimental to the country.

Effects 

Although their concerns of running out of food weren’t realized there were other complications from the economic boom. A disparity grew within the classes. New class-consciousness’ developed due to factors including types of employment and economic achievements. Even though the middle class was growing and classes were in a state of flux, poverty did not improve and the wealth was not spread equally. But overall the growth was remarkable. In 110 years Britain went from producing 2% to 20% of worldwide goods (1 p. 694).

Over London–by Rail from London: A Pilgrimage (1872)
The poor get poorer.

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1. McKay, John P., et al., et al. A History of World Societies: since 1450. Boston : Bedford/St. Martin's, 2012. Vol. 2.
2. Breunig, Charles. The Age of Revolution and Reaction, 1789-1850. Second. New York : W. W. Norton & Company, 1977.