Britain's Ability to Establish Itself as the Workshop of the World

Britain's Ability to Establish Itself as the Workshop of the World

During the period of 1780 to 1846, Britain established itself as the

world's largest industrial country, or in the words of a journalist

from the time the 'Workshop of the World'. Britain produced many raw

materials, which were used for industry, in Britain and throughout the

world. As a result of trade Britain became a very wealthy country.

Prior to 1780 Britain realised the beneficial factors it could develop

to become a well organised, industrialized society. Trade and overseas

trade was the biggest of factors, which allowed Britain to establish

itself as the 'Workshop of the World', but other factor included

mechanisation and transport. Just how did these factors assist Britain

in its transformation into a 'well oiled' society?

Trade in 1780 expanded on a worldwide scale. Britain was at the centre

of this expansion. At the time of the industrial revolution Britain

had an expanse of world in its possession. The British Empire

consisted of countries such as America and India, both that had mass

products of export. As Phil Chapple said in his book The

Industrialisation of Britain 1780-1914 overseas trade was a very

'important stimulus to manufacturing and commerce'. Britain benefited

from strong commercial links with America, whom produced cotton in the

South, which Britain processed into textiles to then be re-exported to

other countries.

Britain had numerous advantages concerning trade, facilitating its

growing wealth. The global position of Britain was very beneficial.

Britain was in a good spot to trade across the Atlantic Ocean with

American colonies, and also to trade with the rest of Europe. No

mainland territory meant that Britain didn't have to spend too much

money defending its territories, and so there was more money to invest

in trade and commerce. Britain could produce many raw materials due to

its beneficial geographical diversity; the climate, land, and global

position. The main raw materials produced in Britain in the early 18th

and 19th centuries, were coal, iron ore, wool, timber and limestone.