1. David Yang
Period 5
2008.9.8
Industrialization in England
Industrialization first started in England, and then it rapidly spread throughout
Europe and the United States, causing significant effect on the rest of the world. It is
controversial as to whether industrialization has positively affected people’s life.
However, industrialization did dramatically improve people’s lives in England during
the 1800s through expanded education opportunities, technological progress and
invention, and the rise in people’s standard of living. All of these would not have
happened without industrialization.
There was a substantial increase in education opportunities during the age of
industrialization. “Before the Industrial Revolution, England had only two
universities, Oxford and Cambridge. But the revolution created a need for engineers
and for clerical and professional workers. As a result, educational became vital, and
some libraries, schools, and universities were founded by private persons or groups.”
(Lampard) The increase in education opportunities was driven by many factors, such
as the enactment of education laws, and the demand from factories which were in dire
need for skilled workers. Some laws were made to ensure that children should not

2. only work, but also get enough education at the same time. “In 1833, children aged
nine to thirteen had to receive two hours of education a day by law; by 1880, sex
hours of education were made mandatory for all five to ten year old children.”
(“Education”) Before these laws were made, some children had worked all day and
had no opportunity to get educated. With more people getting educated, not only did
the people get better jobs, but they also enjoyed a great advancement in both
economic and social development.
Industrial production generated more wealth in more nations, which greatly
accelerated the expansion of England. Since different kinds of machines were
invented, the production of goods also increased in a short period of time. “Cotton
was Britain’s greatest industry, and merchants all over the world purchased British
cotton cloth.” (“Industrial Production”) The increase in production helped to generate
more wealth, and fueled the expansion of England as well. “Britain’s share of world
Industry in 1850 was over 60% of total world output.” (“Industrial Production”)
People all over the world imported goods from Britain, bringing huge trade surplus to
the Kingdom.
The need for new technology to replace labor in the industries sparked many new
ideas that became the basis of today’s technology. “In 1876, Alexander Graham Bell
created a revolution in communications with his invention of the telephone.”

3. (“Modern Inventions”) The invention of the telephone shortened the distance among
people, making work and life easier and more efficient. Today, telephones are still
widely used in businesses and household. “In 1879 Thomas Edison discovered the
light bulb, then electricity began to be used to power motors, which in turn powered
railways and machinery.” (“Modern Inventions”) These great inventions benefitted
the whole world not just during the industrialization period, but also in modern
societies. During the industrialization period, the inventions helped to improve
people’s living conditions, the wealth of the nation, transportation, communication,
and production of goods. Without these inventions, England in 1800s would not have
risen rapidly to become a great power.
Industrialization improved the people’s lives in England through the increase of
production of goods, technological progress and inventions, and expanded education
opportunities. Education program was pushed by the need for engineers and skilled
workers. The production of goods increased through the inventions of different
machines. Different inventions helped raise the standard of living in England in
1800s, and still have lasting effects today. Industrialization indeed had a positive
effect on England in many ways.