Review of Hartwell, R. M., ed. The Causes of the Industrial Revolution in England. London: Routledge, 1967.

 

In the Causes of the Industrial Revolution in England by R.M. Hartwell, the Economic historian examines the origins and inception of industrialization in England. Hartwell uses economic data as a source for this scholarship, which is integrated within Industrial Revolution history. His approach is a quantitative, bottom up analysis of the economic conditions prior to the beginning of industrialization in Britain, as well as circumstances during the transition, and the subsequent implications of the Industrial Revolution. Through a lens of Economic history, Hartwell integrates fiscal data into a historical account on the Industrial Revolution. He believes, “in order to understand the literature of the Industrial Revolution, and to judge the value of particular contributions, it is important to distinguish those parts of analyses which concentrate on identifying relevant variables of growth and those which are more specifically concerned with the process of growth, with how the variables interact to produce growth.” (Location 288)

Hartwell’s research analyzes this economic data for changes in financial fluidity for the Britan and it’s working class. He explores quantitative evidence in production numbers, profit from trade, employee wages, and the cost of goods prior to and after the onset of the Industrial Revolution. Hartwell’s principal focus is on conditions which are calculable, rather than qualitative data. He also examines the conditions of working class residents and their economic situations, alongside relevant policy. From a bottom-up perspective, Hartwell assess the British economy before industrialization revolutionized the country, and the transitionary responses to the economic changes experienced locally. He asserts, “This conversion which has been described generally as industrialization, has vastly increased the resources available to mankind and has allowed a population explosion.” (Kindle Location 148)

The historian offers insight into the causes of the Industrial Revolution and cites certain preconditions in its occurrence. He highlights husbandry and other agricultural advancements prior to industrialization, which resulted in increased agricultural production. Hartwell explains that technological advancements helped to expand trade markets beyond Britian, resulting in a larger revenues. These improvements ushered in a more stable government during this period, which worked to create more favorable laws for its citizens. Through the invention and diffusion of technological advancements combined with a strong labor force, Britian increased production in the industrial sectors of the country’s economy. According to Hartwell, “The crucial characteristic of growth is an increase in output per capita, and this occurs only when men are more efficient in exploiting the resources at their command.” (Location 261) An increase in the labor supply and wages sparked changes in the economic demographics of Britan. Workers were able to improve their living standards, which had a positive impact on social relations. The economic growth experienced during the Industrial Revolution in Britian was accompanied by a structural transformation and brought about a positive impact its position in trade with other nations. “The 1780’s marked the climax of a slow steady process of economic growth in which the pressure of industrial demand finally hit the ceiling of production possibilities in a number of strategic industries with the techniques of the pre-industrial revolution world.”(Location 329)

Hartwell’s scholarship on the Industrial Revolution in Britain, particularly in this work, combines a historical narrative with economic data to illustrate financial improvements which resulted from industrialization. This project suggests that industrialization in Britian was dependent on a variety of factors, although technological innovation and labor supply were foundational roots. It is a contribution to the study Economic history of the 20th century, as well as the history of the Industrial Revolution. The historian’s use of economic evidence, along with the background he provides on the conditions beforehand, transitional implications, and subsequent outcomes offer clarity to the causes of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. However, Hartwell does not draw from ideological or cultural factors present during this period. He exclusively relies on economic data, rather than qualitative narration of personal experience. Nevertheless, this work is important contribution to the field of economic history and the history of the Industrial Revolution. It provides comprehension of the economic causes which catalyzed industrialization and induces contemporary discussion from broader perspectives.